8 posts and columns on Bertelsmann

Apple Lines Up Random House, Its Last iBook Holdout

in Media on March 1, 2011 at 6:30 am PT

Apple’s iBookstore, launched in conjunction with the iPad last year, has a big problem: It doesn’t carry titles from one of the world’s biggest publishers. But that may be set to change very soon.

Citigroup Gets Into the Music Business by Yanking EMI Out of Guy Hands's Hands

in Media on February 1, 2011 at 9:05 am PT

This has been happening in slow motion for years, and now it’s done: One of the world’s biggest music companies is now owned by one of the world’s biggest banks. But not for long.

Voices

Schools Chancellor Klein to Join News Corp.

in News on November 9, 2010 at 3:23 pm PT

New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein is resigning to join News Corp., ending an eight-year reign at the helm of the nation’s largest school system. In his place, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to announce Cathie Black, chairwoman of Hearst Magazines.

Voices

Chinese Site Tudou.com Looks To Bertelsmann For Inspiration

in News on August 23, 2010 at 12:03 pm PT

Former Bertelsmann executive Gary Wang, the CEO of Chinese online-video distribution platform Tudou.com, looks to his former employer for inspiration when he talks about the big dreams he has for his little company. In a crowded landscape of big media conglomerates constantly trying to get into the Internet’s video industry, Wang sees Bertelsmann’s approach of targeted acquisitions as the way to survive.

Bertelsmann Backs Away From Scoyo, Its Educational Kids Site

in Media on November 23, 2009 at 9:37 am PT

German entertainment conglomerate Bertelsmann, which made a move into the online kids/education market earlier this year, appears to be having second thoughts. Bertelsmann is looking for an investor to buy some or all of Scoyo, which it launched in Germany in January of this year and previewed in the U.S. in September.
scoyo

How to Make Money With Web Video: Books and DVDs

in Media on September 17, 2009 at 6:28 am PT

Eric Spiegelman has a Web video hit on his hands. “Old Jews Telling Jokes,” a series of short clips featuring exactly what the name suggests, is popular, viral, and cheap to make. But he still can’t cover his costs with Internet advertising. Enter the ancillary products, like a new book deal.
old jews telling jokes

FremantleMedia's Tony Cohen Speaks!

in News on March 31, 2009 at 1:24 am PT

While in London recently, BoomTown got the chance to do an onstage interview with Tony Cohen of FremantleMedia, the under-the-radar media company that is one of the most successful international producers of mostly televised entertainment. You might have heard of one of its brands: The “Idol” juggernaut and all its spinoffs, including “American Idol.” Yes, the man we can finally all blame for Ryan Seacrest! In any case, Cohen and I had a lovely chat about the future of television in the digital age.
fm3

Sony’s Money-Losing Music Bet: Sales Down 11 Percent, Losses Increase

in Media on October 29, 2008 at 4:38 am PT

Sony just made a big investment in the music business. But with results like these, it’s hard to understand why. The silver lining: The kids seem to like the new Kings of Leon album.