Category Archives: Media & Culture

Magazine publisher launches broadband network

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Magazine publisher and media/marketing company Meredith Corporation has launched Better.tv, its first-ever broadband network.

Better.tv offers a range of video programming on twenty “channels”, based on Meredith’s magazines, television stations, books, websites, and live events.

Better.tv topics include food, family, home, style, remodeling, entertainment, relationships, fitness and health. Programs and videos featured on Better.tv range in length from 2 to 30 minutes, and are targeted at “better serving younger customers,” according to President-CEO Steve Lacy. [More at Podcasting News]

Like Steve McQueen, All I need’s a fast machine

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Sheryl's ShirtI posted a short video clip last month of some of Sheryl Crow’s clothing and costumes which she donates to raise money for a childrens home in Kennett, Missouri.

What I did’nt mention (for fear of ruining the surprise) was the item I discovered hanging on a rack in a back room: a slinky top (T-shirt?) Ms. Crow wore in the Steve McQueen video. I thought that would be a cool gift for my pen-pal and Sheryl Crow uberfan, Ann.

I liberated the shirt with a donation and sent it off to Ann, who lives in Belgium. After a month held hostage in Belgian customs (the shirt, not Ann), Ann has the shirt and promises a photo.

Sheryl Crow tops unlucky at love list

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Rocker SHERYL CROW has topped a new Unlucky in Love list following a string of failed romances. The SOAK UP THE SUN singer, who has had flings with ERIC CLAPTON, KID ROCK and OWEN WILSON, broke off her engagement to cycling champion LANCE ARMSTRONG last year (06).

But she hasn’t given up on finding true love, confessing, “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone. That’s the only true fear I have.” Her optimism hasn’t kept her off the top of In Touch Weekly magazine’s new love losers list, in which she narrowly beat best pal JENNIFER ANISTON. The top 10 is:

1. SHERYL CROW
2. JENNIFER ANISTON
3. PAULA ABDUL
4. HILARY DUFF
5. TYRA BANKS
6. LAUREN CONRAD (US reality TV star)
7. MARIAH CAREY
8. CARRIE UNDERWOOD (AMERICAN IDOL winner)
9. KIRSTIE ALLEY
10. CAMERON DIAZ

Well, that kinda sucks. I might argue that splitting with Lance could go in the “Lucky” column. But I no doubt our girl will find true romance and lasting happiness.

BusinessWeek: Don’t quit your day job, podcasters

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Good article in Business Week about how difficult it is to make a living as a podcaster. Seems I am one of about 35,000 daily listeners to Keith and the Girl:

“Keith Malley and Chemda Khalili, the couple behind Keith and the Girl, an engaging, sometimes raunchy Howard Stern-like podcast, have cultivated a devoted online audience. (Six fans have already had Keith and the Girl tattoos done.) The show, which has 35,000 daily listeners, is just one part of the brand. Just as important to fans are the online forums and MySpace.com (NWS ) pages where they gather to talk about the show and their lives. As a result of this devotion, the audience last year was willing to snap up about $80,000 worth of T-shirts, key chains, and other merchandise.”

Some would argue that $80K ain’t bad for just shooting the shit for an hour a day. But, as a regular listener, sounds to me like they’re working damned hard and earning every penny.

justin.tv

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justin.tvEvery so often, someone takes a run at putting their life online. Not just a blog, but “live video 24/7.” justin.tv has been live for 14 days, 12 hours and 18 minutes and justin vows to “wearth the camera until the day he dies.” These things always feel very stunt-like but I sort of understand the compulsion to put it all “out there.”

Yes, such efforts remind us how mundane our lives really are but so what. Isn’t this just the logical extention of reality shows (The Truman Show)? And if your life were really rich and full, you would not be reading this blog post about justin.tv. This is called the “My Life Isn’t As Interesting As I Think It Is Paradox.” [Thanks, Jason]

Apple TV and the economics of television

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“Over time, niche content will change the economics of television. Millions of Americans will add one or more Internet-connected set-top boxes to their living rooms. Once they do, look out. As they discover there is niche HD video content that matches their precise interests, the existing TV networks will see their viewers erode even more. Further, brand marketers will see they don’t need media to reach people in their living rooms. They too will produce their own content that will be distributed over the Internet for consumption on TVs.” — Steve Rubel on Apple TV:

For example: I’d love to watch a weekly 10 minute tour of the Prairie Garden Trust by Dr. Henry Domke. Just Henry walking and talking, sharing his love and fascination with the flora and fauna. Okay on a video iPod…great on Apple TV.

“Citizens” against satellite radio; Who’s got HD?

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Mark Ramsey (Hear 2.0): “C3SR – the consumer group that was created to oppose the merger between XM and Sirius – is in fact supported by the NAB.”

Also at Hear 2.0: “…the average consumer is more likely to die by accidental drug overdose or by hanging, strangulating, or suffocating themselves than they are to own an HD radio.”

I’d love to hear from any smays.com readers who have HD radios. How’s it sound? What are you listening to? Use Comment link below.

Google Audio looking better to radio groups

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“Google is finding some friends. There are plenty of critics of Google’s foray into radio — but we’re slowly seeing some group heads come out and say there may be a place for the Internet giant in radio sales. Regent tested the service in two markets and CEO Bill Stakelin says they sold “a tremendous amount of inventory” and the results “far exceeded our expectations.” He says the issue that remains to be worked out is pricing.

While Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan says “if Google has the advertiser that we’re never going to call on at rates that make sense … then it’s business that we want to take.” Smulyan says Google’s efforts are especially welcome in “transactional” markets like New York and L.A. where radio has done a “marginal job” at attracting new advertisers.

Meanwhile — Border Media Partners CEO Tom Castro says many folks are focusing on HD and streaming. But the real technological breakthrough will come on the sales side. Castro says “it’s not very sexy — but it’s where we are going to make a lot of money in the future.” — INSIDE RADIO report from the Kagan Radio-TV Summit: