First searchable web-based TV channel launched

Blinkx, the online video search site, launched the world's first searchable web-based television channel yesterday. Users will access the peer-to-peer service using downloadable software to view TV-quality news and entertainment content from the firm's 250 existing partners such as ITN and the Ministry of Sound. The channel will also include a library of 40 feature films thanks to a tie-up with Dogwoof, a UK-based independent film distributor, with another 10 to 20 to be added each quarter. (The Independent)

MySpace to stream NME US awards

NME is pushing further into the US through a deal with social networking website MySpace, which will stream the IPC magazine's first US music awards live from Los Angeles' El Rey Theatre next month. MySpace will be the exclusive host for the web coverage of the event on April 23, ahead of the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, with live performances from breakthrough bands. The UK title is hoping that the association with MySpace, the biggest social networking site in the US and in the world, will help it grow its audience among new music fans. (The Guardian)

The 2008 conference video series: Janus Friis at MidemNet

Janus Friis, co-founder & co-chairman of Joost (and co-founder of Kazaa & Skype) spoke to TAG Strategic's Ted Cohen about the importance of disruption; and of going legit'! (Midemnet's Blog)

How to get ahead in webcasting

Last year was not the ideal time to start a webcasting business. A copyright royalty board had ordered a stunning increase in royalties for webcasters in March, increasing the rates paid to labels and performers 150% over five years. Nevertheless, Jango.com launched in July with a preview of a social network wrapped around a personalized webcasting service. Within two months of its formal debut in November, it had attracted 1 million listeners who created 3 million customized stations. (LA Times)

Musicians seek extra ways to connect with fans, build market

In this day and age, content is king. And the more, the better, musicians are learning as recording sessions and tour stops are increasingly transformed into multimedia factories to feed a seemingly insatiable appetite among fans for star-driven fodder. Today, going into the studio can involve hair and makeup for a possible TV special or DVD release while tour stops must make time for in-depth backstage interviews to accompany a possible limited-edition live package or download. (The Canadian Press)

Gibson Guitar tangles with game makers

Gibson Guitar Corp. has widened its attack on the video game industry with a second patent infringement lawsuit. It claims, in a case filed Thursday in federal district court in Nashville, that by developing, distributing and promoting the video game "Rock Band," Harmonix, MTV Networks and Electronic Arts are violating a virtual-reality patent the guitar maker holds. (AP)

Notes Of Discord For Guitar Hero

Last year, However, success has brought with it familiar challenges: imitation, competition and a falling out with partners. "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" was the best-selling game of 2007, with 5.7 million units sold. A cell-phone version was also recently launched. One very real threat is "Rock Band," a game that allows multiple users to play various instruments and sing in a virtual band. (Forbes)

Hello, Hulu

Beginning Wednesday, Hulu will boast a far larger roster of content than it had at its beta launch at the end of October. But it will also be short of what was initially envisioned by its creators, who had sought to sign up other networks like CBS and Comedy Central/MTV parent Viacom to build a formidable one-stop video portal to battle the Google video-sharing juggernaut YouTube. (Forbes)

Despite popularity, advertisers shun user-generated video in favor of professional productions

Although more money is going to online video advertising, relatively little of that is subsidizing user-generated video -- the short, often-wacky clips from amateurs. Many advertisers, for now, are staying away for fear their ads could inadvertently appear with clips that have nudity, foul language or perhaps criticism of their brand. The resistance means missed revenue opportunities for millions of hours of online video views. (AP)

Online Radio Reaches 33 Million Americans Per Week

The annual Infinite Dial 2008: Radio's Digital Platforms put out by Arbitron and Edison Media Research, estimates that 33 million Americans age 12 or older listen to a radio station over the Internet during an average week - up from 29 million listeners one year ago. There is also a strong connection between online radio listening and social networking sites according to the study. (PR)

Hollywood Tests Tolerance For Ads With Online Video

Watching video online has typically entailed viewing short snippets of celebrity news, music videos and homemade clips. But as streaming video becomes more popular, Hollywood is trying to figure out how to make its old business translate better online. (Washington Post)

Peer-to-Peer Software Firm Pando Raises $8.1 Million

Pando Networks, a provider of peer-to-peer file-sharing software, has secured $8.12 million of a $20.9 million second round of venture capital financing, PEHub.com reported, citing a regulatory filing. Pando provides peer-assisted content delivery to media partners including NBC, Blip.tv and ROO Group. (Digital Media Wire)

Next New Networks raises $15M more for video channels

Next New Networks, a company that publishes thematic channels of video online, including Barely Political (which features Obama-cheering Obama Girl), has raised more capital to keep expanding. It has taken $15 million more from Velocity Interactive and Goldman Sachs, we’ve just learned. This adds to the $8 million it raised a year ago. (Venture Beat)

YouTube Expands APIs; Videos Now on TV Through TiVo

Google's YouTube video site on Wednesday introduced updates to its application programming interfaces (APIs) that will allow developers to integrate videos from the site into other applications, and showcased implementations from TiVo, Electronic Arts, Animoto and the University of California. (Digital Media Wire)

NBCU, News Corp. Video Site Hulu to Debut

Hulu, the online video joint venture between NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) and News Corp. (NYSE: NWS), will officially launch on Wednesday, ending 18 weeks of an invitation-only beta test. In addition to content from NBC, Universal and Fox, the company has announced new content partnerships with Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, and sports leagues NBA, NHL and NCAA. (Digital Media Wire, AP)

Social Networking: New Ways For Radio To Communicate

At Monday afternoon's "Social Networking: The New Radio?" panel at Radio Ink's Convergence conference, moderator McVay Media Assoc. Consultant/New Media Rockie Thomas noted that social networking --popular websites like MySpace and Facebook -- is about creating conversations, and said, "We're broadcasters. It's what we do." Social networking, she said, lets radio have a two-way conversation with its listeners. (Radio Ink)

Internet video poised for explosive expansion in viewing

A report by investment bank and brokerage Bear Stearns suggests that internet video is on the cusp of an explosion. In the United States over 70% of internet users now stream video, watching an average of 7 minutes a day. Video advertising spend is projected to reach $4.3 billion by 2012, when nearly 90% of internet users in the United States will be watching video online. (InformITV)

CBS Radio Signs Exclusive Agreement to Power AOL Radio

CBS RADIO and AOL today announced a ground breaking partnership whereby CBS RADIO will power AOL Radio (http://radio.aol.com), combining two of the largest online radio networks and giving millions of listeners unlimited and free access to the most diverse lineup of programming available. Additionally, the two companies will work together to create a number of product enhancements including a new player, as well as complete support for the Mac. (PR)

5.9 billion video clips viewed online

More than 116 million viewers logged on to watch online video clips to the tune of more than 5.9 billion video downloads in January. On average, viewers spent more than 120 minutes with online video and downloaded more than 50 streams per person. Most users, however, continue to land on video pages through general interest portals (86%)the traffic from communities and social networks increased to a 25% share. Photography based sites drove about 20% of video traffic while online games and video/movie sites drove about 16%. (BizReport)

blinkx expands partnership with Ministry of Sound

Video search engine blinkx has expanded its partnership with Ministry of Sound TV (MoSTV), a digital content provider for dance music entertainment, adding hundreds of MoSTV videos to the blinkx platform. (Digital Media News)