Why the Web Hasn’t Hurt TV

A story in two charts.
poltergeist

News Byte

Broadcast Stations Sue Aereo Over Web TV Plans

The owners of four New York-area TV stations have sued Aereo, the start-up that plans to give users Web access to live broadcast TV. Aereo, which has raised $25 million from backers including Barry Diller’s IAC and venture investors like First Round Capital, has been expecting copyright challenges from the TV industry. It argues that its technology is legal because individual users will be getting streamed TV from their own individual antennas. One of the plaintiffs, Fox Television Stations, is owned by News Corp., which also owns this Web site.

Voices

Over-the-Air TV Catches Second Wind, Aided by Web

It’s cool to have rabbit ears again. Largely relegated to obscurity decades ago, old-fashioned television broadcasts — over the airwaves and not via cable or satellite — are enjoying an unexpected revival in the digital era. With an increased array of online-video programming now drawing viewers’ attention, companies are starting to pitch consumers on complementing online video streamed from the Web with broadcast-TV signals as a way to save money on cable subscriptions.

Time to Say Goodbye to the Cable Guy: Why You’ll Buy TV on the Web in 2012

“Not if, just when in 2012″, says analyst Rich Greenfield. OK. But who? Amazon? Verizon? Wal-Mart?
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Voices

YouTube Redesigns Around “Channels” Strategy

YouTube unveiled its largest redesign yet Thursday, bringing user personalization and the video Web site’s growing selection of programming topics, or “channels,” front and center.

He’s Back: Bob Pittman Named CEO of Clear Channel

Longtime media and Internet exec Bob Pittman has been named CEO of radio broadcast and outdoor advertising giant Clear Channel, the company announced today.
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Read All About It! But Don't Watch–The Grammys Tune Out Online

The Grammys generated a flurry of online interest last night, but the music industry’s biggest event of the year is AWOL this morning. Opportunity wasted.

Local TV News + Twitter's Talking Heads = NBC's "The 20"

If you’re reading this, there are decent odds you don’t watch your local TV news broadcast. Would you be any more inclined if it featured a dollop of Twitter?

#lessambitiousmovies Shows Twitter Can Still Be Community, Not Just a Tool

Just when you thought Twitter had become a basic tool that serves many purposes, we’re reminded that the service has fostered an actual community. At least that’s the case in my little corner of the Twitterverse, which tonight has overflowed with a meme that just about everyone can participate in and appreciate: #lessambitiousmovies.

RunKeeper Hopes to Be Your App for That New Year's Resolution

The RunKeeper Pro app, usually $9.99, is free from now through the end of January. Since the promotion started yesterday, downloads of the app have been up more than 10 times the normal number for a single day.

Qualcomm to Give FloTV Users Money Back

Larry Ellison: Behind the Kimono

Goodbye, Free TV on Your iPad. For Now…

Hulu Plus, Take Two: How's $4.95 a Month?

Winklevii Vs. Zuck: Who'd You Rather?