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Sony, Panasonic in TV Tie-Up Talks

Daisuke Wakabayashi in News on May 15 at 10:49 am PT

Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. are in talks to jointly develop or produce next-generation flat-panel television sets, people familiar with the matter said Tuesday, in a move that aims to defray the heavy cost of manufacturing a new display technology.

Is YouTube’s Ad Pitch Working?

Peter Kafka in Media on May 11 at 7:19 am PT

YouTube is trying to convince advertisers to spend big dollars on its upgraded content. They seem receptive.

EA Says Digital Will Offset New Console Investments for the First Time

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on May 8 at 2:45 pm PT

Despite having to sink $80 million into new console game development this year, EA’s CEO John Riccitiello is upbeat, saying that “we are absolutely a different company in a different spot.”

Flat-Screen TV Prices: Anything but Flat

Lauren Goode in Product News on May 8 at 1:35 pm PT

So much for falling TV prices.

News Byte

New Bravo Food Show Partners Up With Gilt Taste

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on May 8 at 8:48 am PT

Bravo Media’s new cooking competition, “Around the World in 80 Plates,” is teaming up with Gilt Taste, an online food marketplace, where fans will be able to purchase products and ingredients featured in each episode. Since Gilt Taste is part of the megaretailer’s flash-sales kingdom, be prepared to sign up in order to visit the special site.

Google Gets Deeper Into the Content Business, by Putting Money Into Machinima

Peter Kafka in Media on May 7 at 3:00 am PT

Machinima’s gamer videos are wildly popular on YouTube. Now YouTube’s owner will own a piece of Machinima.

News Byte

Microsoft Preparing to Sell Cellphone-Like Subscriptions for the Xbox?

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on May 2 at 10:43 am PT

The Verge is reporting that next week Microsoft is planning to sell subscriptions for the Xbox, similarly to how wireless carriers sell phones. Under the plan, the Xbox plus Kinect will cost $99 plus $15 a month for two years, including access to the Xbox Live Gold service and its streaming TV and music. Right now, the package appears to be cheaper than paying upfront for the console, though that doesn’t factor in any future price discounts for the aging hardware.

Amazon Gets Into the Sitcom Business

Peter Kafka in Media on May 2 at 8:30 am PT

And the kids’-show business, too. Yet another big Web company says it’s going to make its own videos. How soon before Jeff Bezos finds a “Seinfeld”?

News Byte

Brit Media Raises $1.25M and Launches Wedding Web Site Tools

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on April 30 at 9:00 am PT

Former Google TV product lead Brit Morin is disclosing today that she has raised $1.25 million in seed funding from an impressive list of investors, including Marissa Mayer, Aileen Lee, Tina Sharkey and Seth Goldstein, Kevin Colleran, Annabel Teal, Index Ventures, General Catalyst, Founders Fund Angel and DMGT. The company — called Brit Media — is aiming to build a new lifestyle brand (think Martha Stewart), and kicks off today with Weduary, a customizable and social wedding Web site.

You Really Can Blame the Web for Shrinking TV Ratings — But You Have to Credit It for Boosting TV, Too

Peter Kafka in Media on April 27 at 6:40 am PT

A new study confirms what you already knew: If you’re watching lots of stuff on Netflix, you’re watching less on TV. Except, people who watch Netflix sometimes watch more TV, too.