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Want to Cut Your Cord? The NBC U-Comcast Deal Won't Make It Easier

Peter Kafka in Media on January 18, 2011 at 2:47 pm PT

If you were hoping that the government restrictions on the NBC U-Comcast deal would make it easier for you to stop paying for cable, you’re out of luck. The government is forcing the new company to offer its stuff to online outlets like Netflix and iTunes. But it won’t happen in the way that cord cutters would like. If it happens at all.

As Promised: Here’s Hulu Plus, for Some of You

Peter Kafka in Media on June 29, 2010 at 10:42 am PT

Here it is, finally: Hulu Plus. Otherwise known as: “The chance for some of you to fork over $9.99 a month to watch Hulu.” Alternate title: “Here’s how to watch Hulu on Your iPad.”

LIVE from New York: Twitter Pitches Ads to Madison Avenue

Peter Kafka in Media on April 13, 2010 at 10:39 am PT

Twitter has quietly been reaching out to marketers about its new ad platform for a few months, but now it’s a full-fledged marketing blitz. COO Dick Costolo takes his marketing message to ad buyers.

Why Comcast Will Stay Hands Off Hulu, for Now

Peter Kafka in Media on December 3, 2009 at 12:16 pm PT

Hulu and its broadcast TV owners have been pretty clear about their interest in creating a premium/subscription offering for the free site. Does Comcast want to change that? I don’t think so, despite words to the contrary this morning.

Report: Comcast Buying NBC for $35 Billion. Comcast: “Inaccurate”

Peter Kafka in Media on September 30, 2009 at 6:23 pm PT

Here’s the big media deal everyone has been waiting for. Or at least, here’s the report: Sharon Waxman of TheWrap reports that cable giant Comcast is buying all of NBC Universal from GE for $35 billion. Comcast says the report is “inaccurate.”

Yahoo’s $100 Million TV Ad

Peter Kafka in Media on September 28, 2009 at 8:58 am PT

Don’t say they didn’t warn you: Last week, Yahoo formally rolled out its new $100 million-plus marketing campaign. Today, the TV ads begin. Here’s what you’ll be getting if you watch AMC, ESPN, USA, Comedy Central, Bravo or any of the broadcast networks in the U.S.

Google’s Top Chef Leaves Las Vegas

Peter Kafka in Media on September 3, 2009 at 4:28 am PT

Sorry Googlers, I have no choice but to deliver this important and sad news: The woman who runs your cafeteria will not be crowned “Top Chef.”

Google’s Top Chef Tripped Up by Shellfish

Peter Kafka in Media on August 21, 2009 at 3:00 am PT

Hey Googlers! Ever wonder what life is like on a big-deal, nationally televised reality show? If you’re working at the main Googleplex in Mountain View, you may be able find out: Just ask Preeti Mistry. You can find Mistry at Charlie’s Cafe, where’s she’s back to work running Google’s much celebrated cafeteria. But earlier this year, she was a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” which kicked off its sixth season this week. And she survived the first episode, clams and all.

How Advertisers Can Foil the Fast-Forward Button: Ads You Have to Watch

Peter Kafka in Media on March 21, 2009 at 9:13 am PT

More than a third of all U.S. homes now have TiVo-like digital video recorders, and the majority of DVR users fast-forward through ads when they watch TV. One way to stop that: Make ads with bizarro visuals that demand your attention.