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An experiment about news information flows on Twitter and Facebook.

We all know that websites gather information about our computer, which advertisers use to target us. The experiment linked to this article actually tells you how much identifiable information you're providing when you go to websites. I find it pretty amazing.

Senator Al Franken uses his experience in the industry to speak candidly about his concerns with the NBC-Comcast Merger. Interesting to have an industry insider in govertment that is not interested in the same outcomes has the executives.

"For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 201"

"The scheduling change is among the first examples of an informal new agreement U.S. theater owners are discussing with the six major Hollywood studios: The exhibitors would let the studios experiment more with DVD release dates. As a result, studios could each release one or two movies a year on DVD a month or so sooner than they usually do, according to people familiar with the matter. The seemingly minor move could portend a big shift in the movie business down the road. The nascent arrangement, which has been under discussion for several months, highlights the growing pressure on the longstanding backbone of Hollywood's business model, an elaborate system known as "release windows." By separating a movie's release in theaters from the time window of when it is released on DVD or cable TV, studios were able to maximize revenue. DVD sales, for example, didn't eat into a movie's take at the box office."

The Associated Press is creating a strategic business unit to come up with fresh experiences for news on the web, mobile phones, tablets, and e-readers.

"The future of print media is digital. Just as new printing techniques revolutionised the industry and gave birth to full page color images in print media, digital content will change the way we read and consume print media in the future. The ideals and stories will (hopefully) still be there at the heart of digital media but consumers will be given the opportunity to delve deep into the articles. Digital media will put elements that enrich the reading experience - like rich colour photos that can be enlarged, video, sound, animations and 3D images -at the fingertips of every reader"

YT is out to increase the amount of time that viewers spend on the site, which is currently 15 mins per day. They spend 5 hrs per day on TV, so YT execs see that as their main competition. How to make YT viewing experience more like TV? More sticky? Need to generate new models for search suggestions ("discovery," a la Netflix and Amazon, or social media, a la Facebook). Also need to explore models for pushing content, Amazon.

In his feisty opening statement, Franken said: "I worked for NBC for many years. And what I know from my previous career has given me reason to be concerned--let me rephrase that, very concerned--about the potential merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. The media are our source of entertainment, but they're also the way we get our information about the world. So when the same company that produces the programs runs the pipes that bring us those programs, we have a reason to be nervous.... You'll have to excuse me if I don't just trust their promises and that is from experience in this business." The former SNL star and entertainment industry insider-turned-Senator is dead on with his concerns. As Free Press--the media reform advocacy organization founded by The Nation's John Nichols, media scholar Robert McChesney, and current executive director Josh Silver-- points out, the merger would result in Comcast controlling one in every five television viewing hours. It would lead to fewer choices of what you can watch and how you can watch it. Those cable bills that continue to rise would rise even higher, and if you don't use Comcast you might have to pay a premium to get NBC's shows. There will be even less access to local and independent programming as Comcast would promote NBC's shows at their expense. And, finally, there's the even larger issue of concentrating power and limiting access to free public interest media.

CBS/Turner March Madness deal could change digital experience.

Explores the economic angle of google's potential withdraw from China, and offers a competing argument that the firm's threats to leave may in fact be a face saving measure driven by the bottom line.

"next week, SeaChange International (NASDAQ: SEAC) will demonstrate how cable operators can create seamless subscriber experiences across televisions, broadband-connected PCs and smartphones including Apple's iPhone."