Multichannel News

• Rovi Teams With FourthWall Media For EBIF Apps
  
  By Todd Spangler, February 8, 2010
  Rovi struck an agreement with FourthWall Media to offer an interactive TV solution to Rovi's interactive program guide customers in North and South America.
  
• Super Bowl XLIV: Most-Watched Telecast In History
  
  Mike Reynolds, February 8, 2010
    With an estimated 106.5 million viewers, Super Bowl XLIV has become the most-watched program in TV history, according to Nielsen.
  
• Uncomfortably Named Novela Hits U.S. Airwaves
  
  by Laura Martinez, February 4, 2010
    When the blockbuster Colombian telenovela Sin tetas no hay paraiso premieres on Telemundo Monday night (Feb. 8), something will be missing from its title.
  
• NTIA Dishes Out $21.5 Million In Broadband Stimulus Grants In Virginia
  
  John Eggerton, February 8, 2010
  The National Telecommunications & Information Administration has given out $21.5 million in broadband stimulus grants to middle mile projects in Southern Virginia.
  
• Supercomm 2010 Canceled
  
  By Todd Spangler, February 8, 2010
  The organizers of Supercomm have decided to pull the plug on this year's event, citing poor financial projections for the telecommunications trade show.
  
• NTIA May Dole Out More Broadband Stimulus Funds
  
  John Eggerton, February 8, 2010
  Looks like the National Telecommunications & Information Administration could be handing out more broadband stimulus money even on a day when the federal government is ostensibly closed.
  
• Race To The Finish For NBC Universal Affiliates
  
  by Todd Spangler, February 6, 2010
    As part of its 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics push, NBC Universal spent more than a year working with cable, satellite and telco-TV partners for what stands to be the largest “TV Everywhere” effort by a programmer to date. But not everyone will make the team.
  
• BelAir Weaves DOCSIS 3.0 Into Wi-Fi Access Point
  
  Todd Spangler, February 8, 2010
  BelAir Networks, whose cable operators customers include Cablevision Systems, has developed an 802.11n Wi-Fi access point that is integrated with DOCSIS 3.0 cable-modem technology to cut down installation time.
  
• The Future Will Be Net-Neutral
  
  by John Eggerton, February 8, 2010
    Steven Waldman, senior adviser to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, says an open Internet is key to the future of journalism, and particularly the new media that will play a big role in that future.
  
• Clutter Cutting Into TV Ads' Effectiveness: Forrester, ANA Survey
  
  
  John Eggerton, February 8, 2010
  According to a joint survey of more than 100 advertisers conducted by Forrester and the Association of National Advertisers, virtually all said the TV industry needs new and better measurement that extends beyond frequency to ratings for individual commercials.
  
• Station Revenues Down $5.5 Billion From 2006-09: SNL Kagan
  
  John Eggerton, February 8, 2010
  Between 2006 and 2009, TV station revenues fell over $5.5 billion, according to a new report from SNL Kagan, from $24.6 billion to under $19 billion.
  
• Aurora Taps Tuomi To Head Sales
  
  Mike Reynolds, February 8, 2010
  Optical-networking equipment vendor Aurora Networks named Pirjo Tuomi, who previously worked at BigBand Networks and Nortel, has been named vice president of worldwide sales.
  
• Black History Comes Alive On Demand
  
  by R. Thomas Umstead, February 6, 2010
  More than two dozen cable networks and MSOs are teaming up to provide an extensive lineup of on-demand programming throughout February in recognition of Black History Month.
  
• Comcast to Hill: We’ll Be Fair
  
  by John Eggerton, February 6, 2010
  Facing tough questions from politicians and withering reviews from critics, Comcast and NBC Universal defended their deal on Capitol Hill last week.
  
• Comcast Rebrand: to Xfinity and Beyond
  
  by Mike Farrell, February 6, 2010
  Comcast is launching a massive rebranding campaign Feb. 12 to reflect the changing technological and consumer landscape, attaching the Xfinity name to its entire product line and its platforms.
  
• Rentrak Expands Dish Deal To Track TV Viewers
  
  By Todd Spangler, February 8, 2010
  Rentrak reached a deal with Dish Network to commercially integrate data from the satellite operator's set-top boxes into the TV Essentials audience measurement service, bringing its sample size to more than 15 million satellite, cable and telco set-tops nationwide.
  
• Documentary Channel Makes 'Oscar's Picks' In March
  
  Mike Reynolds, February 8, 2010
  The Documentary Channel, saluting outstanding achievement in documentary filmmaking throughout March, will telecasting an Academy Award-winning or nominated documentary every day next month.
  
• Who Dat Won Super Bowl XLIV? Saints Dat's Who!
  
  Mike Reynolds, February 7, 2010
    Aints no more: The New Orleans Saints have vaulted to the top of the NFL world, beating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win Super Bowl XLIV.
  
• Sportvision, Cisco Provide Enhanced Looks At Super Bowl XLIV
  
  Mike Reynolds, February 7, 2010
  Those lucky enough to be in Miami's Sun Life Stadium for Super Bowl XLIV won't only get to see the action unfold before their eyes, but will get other visuals the millions around the world won't see on their televisions, courtesy of Cisco and Sportvision.
  
• VH1 Classic Celebrates The Who's Super Bowl XLIV Halftime Performance
  
  Mike Reynolds, February 7, 2010
  For those who may have more than a passing interest in the halftime act of Super Bowl XLIV, VH1 Classic has you covered until The Who takes the stage on CBS's telecast of the NFL championship game.