Digital transition even harder on smaller cable ops
As the late Gilda Radner used to say, "It's always something."

For smaller cable operators, next year's transition to all-digital signals comes on the heels of last year's separable security mandate for set-top boxes (STBs) by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Of course, cable operators of all sizes have had to deal with both issues, but the one-two punch of going all-digital and the dual must-carry requirement is especially onerous for the smaller cable operators.

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  — Michael Robuck, Senior Editor, CED

ABC releases free network programming on VOD platform
By Traci Patterson

ABC is releasing select TV shows - including "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" - via the video on-demand (VOD) platform, the Associated Press reported. The shows will be available for free, but there will be no ad-skipping allowed since the fast-forward capability will be disabled. Continue

Samsung's See'N'Search technology brings Internet to TV screen
By Traci Patterson

Samsung Electronics has introduced its See'N'Search technology, which allows users to directly pull up Internet information and media-related content onto the TV screen without the need for a PC, keyboard and/or special content programming. Continue

Nielsen: TV usage on the rise due to DVR playback
By Traci Patterson

The amount of time that consumers spend watching TV is increasing thanks to the ability to playback content via DVRs, according to new data from Nielsen. Continue

comScore, Media Contacts study online video viewing
By Traci Patterson

New research from comScore and Media Contacts concludes that the heaviest Internet video viewers (top 20 percent) averaged 841 minutes of online video viewing per month, while the moderate viewers (next 30 percent) and light viewers (bottom 50 percent) averaged just 77 minutes and 6 minutes, respectively. Continue

Popcorn selects TVN for VOD distribution, asset management
By Traci Patterson

TVN Entertainment Corp. has been selected by Popcorn Home Entertainment to provide video on-demand (VOD) distribution and asset management services to support Popcorn's VOD/DVD movie service. Continue

Nielsen buys Audience Analytics
By Mike Robuck

Nielsen has acquired Audience Analytics and its Audience Watch software, which Nielsen said would strengthen its ability to process, integrate and report on large quantities of audience measurement data. Continue

Google's AdSense betas video ads
By Brian Santo

Google is beta testing YuMe's InVideo overlay ads as part of its AdSense advertising program. Continue

Brightcove supporting Google's AdSense technology
By Traci Patterson

Brightcove is now supporting Google's contextual advertising technology - AdSense for video beta. Continue

MobiTV: Consumers clicking through on mobile ads
By Mike Robuck

A recent study by MobiTV found that mobile video viewers are not only watching ads, they are taking action by clicking for more information on contextually based ads. Continue

BlackArrow names chairman of board, CFO
By Traci Patterson

BlackArrow has named Larry Kramer as the chairman of the company's board of directors. Additionally, Tracy Martin has joined the company as its CFO. Continue

IAB, PwC: Internet ad revenues for 2007 to reach $21.2B
By Traci Patterson

Internet advertising revenues for 2007 are estimated to rise to $21.2 billion, representing a 25 percent increase compared with revenues of $16.9 billion in 2006, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Continue

Gemstar swings to Q4 loss on charges
By Brian Santo

Gemstar-TV Guide reported that increased Q4 revenues were offset by rising costs, with the net result of a relatively slight quarterly loss. Continue

OpenTV posts Q4 profit of $11M
By Mike Robuck

OpenTV posted a profit of $11 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a loss of $3.4 million in the same quarter a year ago. Continue

OpenTV finds home in 100M TVs, STBs; picked by Portuguese op 
By Mike Robuck

OpenTV trumpeted the news that its interactive software has been embedded in more than 100 million TV sets and STBs worldwide. Continue

• Online video firm Revver acquired by LiveUniverse, reported by The Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

• Platforms make a difference for interactive ads, reported by Advertising Age.

• Limelight Networks falls with Q1 outlook, reported by the Associated Press.

• TV advertising hit by digital competition, reported by MediaPost.

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Headquarters: New York City
President: Bev Andal
URL: www.tns-mi.com

Claim to fame: TNS is a global market insight and information group that provides custom research and analysis, combining in-depth industry sector understanding with expertise. TNS is a major supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and Internet, TV and radio audience measurement services.

Recent news of note: In January, DirecTV hooked up with TNS to develop an audience measurement tool, which DirecTV said will be the largest national audience measurement panel ever.