FX

News Corp. Puts Myspace on Double Secret Probation

Peter Kafka in Media on November 3, 2010 at 2:53 pm PT

That big Myspace relaunch we read about last week? That’s all fine and good. But the troubled Web property is a…really troubled Web property, its News Corp. parent stressed today. And it needs to get its act together before it gets kicked off campus.

Google's Victory Dance: Check Out Our Go-Go Numbers!

Peter Kafka in Media on October 14, 2010 at 3:45 pm PT

After showing off financial numbers that blew away Wall Street’s earnings estimates, what could Google do for an encore? Trot out even more numbers, via a tantalizing but not-that-revealing striptease.

Winklevii Vs. Zuck: Who'd You Rather?

Kara Swisher in News on October 5, 2010 at 11:18 am PT

The Facebook movie might have performed slightly below box office expectations last weekend for Sony movie unit Columbia Pictures, but it certainly has invaded the mainstream zeitgeist. Still, BoomTown was quite surprised to see a mention of “The Social Network” on one of my favorite celebrity sites, TMZ.com.

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.”

Want to Watch TV on Your iPad? Pay Up.

Peter Kafka in Media on April 6, 2010 at 8:51 am PT

If you have a Netflix subscription, want to buy TV shows from iTunes or love ABC programming, the iPad has got you covered. If not…

Voices

Almost Famous: Julia Hartz of Eventbrite

Drake Martinet, Intern, All Things Digital in News on February 16, 2010 at 1:50 am PT

This week, we got an all-access pass for an interview with Julia Hartz, president and co-founder of Eventbrite, the Web-based ticketing company. We talked about life with a husband for a co-founder, the Silicon Valley state of mind and how she gives Ticketmaster five years to live.

Time Warner Cable Shows Subscribers How to Cut the Cord

Peter Kafka in Media on December 31, 2009 at 8:41 am PT

The nightmare scenario for cable companies is that customers drop their TV subscriptions and grab their video directly from the Web, turning the cable guys into mere providers of “dumb pipes.” But here’s a comprehensive set of instructions from a big cable company showing its customers how to do just that.

The Jay Leno Effect: Eyeballs Bail on Broadcast for Cable

Peter Kafka in Media on December 22, 2009 at 9:32 am PT

When you sit down to watch TV at night, you don’t distinguish between shows that are on broadcast TV and those on cable. You just want to watch TV. But TV executives and advertisers haven’t caught up with you. Maybe Jay Leno will help them figure it out.

Fox Faces Off Against Time Warner Cable. Will Hulu Get Roped Into the Fight?

Peter Kafka in Media on December 21, 2009 at 12:27 pm PT

Same fight, different year: TV programmer wants more money, cable provider doesn’t want to pay up. But could Hulu end up playing a role in this year’s tussle?

Voices

News Corp. Ads on TV Fees Target Time Warner Cable

Shira Ovide and Sam Schechner, Reporters, The Wall Street Journal in News on December 18, 2009 at 5:00 am PT

News Corp. is preparing to launch a marketing blitz Friday aimed at Time Warner Cable Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, escalating a fight between the two companies over television programming fees. Time Warner Cable’s contract to carry News Corp.’s Fox network, as well as cable channels including FX, expires at the end of the month.