Tuesday, November 26, 2002

The TiVo Effect: Advertisers See Less TV Ad Spending: With TiVo predicting it will surpass 1 million subscribers next year, a new study has discovered advertisers are uncertain about the effects of personal video recorders (PVRs), and are ready to take the axe to TV ad budgets.

The Next Best Thing In TV Still Years Away: Scripps Networks has been running several types of nontraditional ads on its DIY, HGTV, Food Network and Fine Living. ESPN says it’s exploring opportunities in long-form advertising. Infomercials are being embraced by traditional advertisers eager to try direct response. And new technologies are blending content and advertising in interactive TV, personal video recorders and elsewhere.

HNS Launches TiVo-Equipped DIRECTV Digital Satellite Recorder: The new Hughes-built DIRECTV® Digital Satellite Recorder is a set-top box that combines a DIRECTV receiver with an internal hard drive, which can digitally record up to 35 hours of programming.

Court blocks state DVD-cracking suit: The California Supreme Court hands Hollywood a setback, ruling that a Texas resident who posted controversial DVD-cracking code online can't be sued in the Golden State.

RIAA punishing Navy cadets 'because it can'

Shopping by Cell Phone? No Thanks. Some retailers let consumers pay for items by programming their mobile phones to make debits on prepaid accounts instead of using cash. So far, though, shoppers aren't going for it.

A wireless walk in Manhattan's Bryant Park: NYC Wireless's project at Bryant Park is treated to a gentle essay in the local City section of the New York Times, as the concepts of urban meeting places and interactions are neatly overlaid onto the latest technology.

Microsoft Reports 7.4 Percent Stake in Comcast: Microsoft Corp. said on Monday it holds a 7.4 percent passive stake in cable operator Comcast Corp., confirming that it went ahead with plans to convert AT&T debt into the stock.