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New Media News Every Morning

VH1 launches Hip Hop Honors site

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hiphop.jpgVH1 gives props to hip hop with the launch of HipHop.VH1.com, the online extension of the channel’s fourth annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Beginning today, the site showcases music and exclusive content leading up to VH1’s on-air celebration, which will honor the music and influence of A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliott, the film Wild Style and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing.

It will be broadcast on VH1 and VH1 Soul Monday, October 8 at 10 pm. The site will also be home to sneak peek performances from the show before they air, as well as exclusive online-only performances.

In conjunction with the launch of the hip hop-focused site, VH1.com has also announced the winner of “The Score,” the channel’s search for the best up-and-coming music producer. The winner will create the official score of this year’s “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Determined by user votes on VH1.com, Antonio Gonzalez AKA “DJ Satisfaction” of Camden, NJ has been crowned the winner of “The Score.”

Originally posted on September 11, 2007 @ 11:32 am

Perez Hilton brings celebrity juice to VH1 with ‘What Perez Sez’

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perezsez.jpgPerez Hilton, the self-proclaimed Queen of all Media, is at it again with his hilarious new TV special “What Perez Sez,” premiering on VH1 on September 11 at 9:00 PM. Set as a series of specials revolving around major pop culture events, Perez uses his post-modern guerilla approach to give the audience his one-of-kind take on some of this year’s hottest happenings, and ultimately land some major celebrity interviews. Each special will be jam-packed with celebrities through field shoots, one-on-one chit-chats with the stars and red carpet interviews.

Viewers will get a sneak peek into the untamed world of Perez Hilton as he breaks the red tape surrounding Hollywood’s favorite stars. Throughout the show, the audience is presented with produced themed packages and non-traditional magazine segments. Set in Perez Hilton’s own wild and unscripted reality, viewers will also be exposed to his “professional,” and often irreverent take on all the most up-to-date and late breaking dish surrounding the event. “What Perez Sez” will feature recaps of what happened, and of course, the gossip gangsta’s thoughts on what really went down. The comedy will be infectious; the gossip, scandalous, and each episode will be filled with Perez’s no-holds-barred style as he hustles major celebrity interviews and brings mayhem to star-studded events.

Originally posted on September 4, 2007 @ 4:04 pm

Survey shows decline of TV as primary media device

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ibm.jpgA new IBM online survey of consumer digital media and entertainment habits shows audiences are more in control than ever and increasingly savvy about filtering marketing messages.

The global findings overwhelmingly suggest personal Internet time rivals TV time. Among consumer respondents, 19 percent stated spending six hours or more per day on personal Internet usage, versus nine percent of respondents who reported the same levels of TV viewing. 66 percent reported viewing between one to four hours of TV per day, versus 60 percent who reported the same levels of personal Internet usage.

Consumers are seeking consolidated, trustworthy content, recognition and community when it comes to mobile and Internet entertainment. Armed with PC, mobile and interactive content and tools, consumers are vying for control of attention, content and creativity. Despite natural lags among marketers, advertising revenues will follow consumers’ habits. [Read more…]

Originally posted on August 23, 2007 @ 10:12 am

Building B brings web videos to TV sets, raises $17.5M

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Building B, the new startup that attempts to bring web videos to home television, raises $17.5M in its first round of funding, with Sony BMG Music’s chairman Andy Lack joining its board of directors.

Much like the Apple TV, Building B comes up with a set-top box that will transmit video programming from the web to the TV. It will also allow users to download high-quality movies.

The Building B, as Lack stated, plans to “marry video content and technology”, and is currently in the process of dealing with broadcasters, content providers, advertisers, broadband service companies, etc, to kick off the service. There’s no disclosures as to when the box will be launched to the public, yet.

Originally posted on August 20, 2007 @ 2:21 pm

AETN launches mobile video channels for A&E Network and The History Channel

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mobitv.jpgA&E Television Networks and MobiTV, Inc., the leading provider and platform for content delivery over mobile and broadband networks, today announced the launch of A&E Mobile and The History Channel Mobile. The made for mobile channels are available today on the MobiTV service via participating mobile carriers throughout the U.S.

The creation and distribution of A&E Mobile and The History Channel Mobile to wireless video subscribers in the U.S. is a step in AETN’s overall digital strategy to deliver its programs and services to viewers on multiple platforms.

“The mobile platform is an increasingly important interactive screen that provides our consumers with access to our branded programming wherever and whenever they want it, and we are pleased to partner with MobiTV to offer A&E Mobile and The History Channel Mobile to viewers,” said Paul Jelinek, Senior Vice President, Digital Media, AETN. “These mobile channels enable us to offer a new service to our existing audience, and through cross promotion, to bring new viewers back to our linear channels.”

Originally posted on July 23, 2007 @ 10:30 am