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DIGITAL MEDIA WIRE -- January 29, 2003
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To Subscribe For Free: http://www.digitalmediawire.com
o Report: U.S. Broadband to Grow 40% in 2003; European Homes Doubled in '02
o FBI, Secret Service Probe Hacker Attacks on RIAA Website
o Yahoo Launches Premium LAUNCHcast Web Radio Subscription Service
o RealNetworks Narrows Loss With 900,000 Paying Subscribers
o Vivendi Declines Comment on Reported Talks With Microsoft on Games Unit
o Lindows.com Released Sub-$350 Media Computer
o Report: Digital Cable TV to Reach 39 Million U.S. Homes by 2007
o Ericsson, Sony Inject Millions More Into Mobile Joint Venture
o Pearl Jam to Offer MP3 Downloads of Concerts "Hours" After Completion
> DMW Publications: Special Rates for DMW Subscribers
> Featured: I.D. Magazine, Game Developers Conference
o Briefly Noted: MMS forecast, RealNetworks - Kevin Kerslake, Hutchison 3G
UK - Reuters, Legend Mobile - ZIM Technologies, Acclaim - "Burnout 2:
Point of Impact," Datel Electronics, Private Media Group - adult VOD
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> Events: Digital Music Forum: March 3 | NYC, Games & Mobile
Forum: April 28 | NYC, Global Media & Entertainment Summit
> Marketplace: UCLA Extension, 2000 Honda Accord, Entertainment &
Corporate Legal Services, Game Industry Report, iTV Chronicle,
Homeland Security Directory, Interest-Based Navigation
Full Classifieds located beneath "Briefly Noted" section below.
To post a Classified Ad:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/mainpostingpage.html
or contact Tinzar Than at tinzar@digitalmediawire.com
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o Report: U.S. Broadband to Grow 40% in 2003; European Homes Doubled in '02
Boston -- The number of U.S. households connecting to the Internet via a
high-speed broadband service will increase by more than 40 percent during
2003, rising from 17.9 million homes today to 25.3 million homes by the
end of this year, according to a forecast from Boston-based Strategy
Analytics. The report also predicts that by the end of 2008, broadband
subscribers will soar to 64 million, serving 59 percent of all U.S. homes
"Over the next five years, high-speed access will become the norm for
residential Internet users as broadband becomes more widely available,
more flexibly priced and a more powerful vehicle for new kinds of
entertainment, content and services," said Strategy Analytics' James
Penhune. The firm also reports the number of broadband households in
Western Europe more than doubled in 2002, adding 6.3 million new customers
for a total of almost 12 million, or 1 out of every 13 homes. Belgium has
the highest rate of broadband penetration, at 1 in every 5 households.
http://www.strategyanalytics.com/press/pr00034.htm
http://www.strategyanalytics.com/press/PR00035.htm
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o FBI, Secret Service Probe Hacker Attacks on RIAA Website
Washington -- An FBI spokesman confirmed for Reuters that the FBI and
Secret Service have launched a probe into a hack of the Recording Industry
of America (RIAA) website, which has been off-line since Friday. A shell
of the site's homepage -- which contained no active links -- was all that
was available from RIAA.org on Wednesday afternoon. The site has been a
favored target for hackers, partly due to the RIAA's steadfast efforts to
shut down popular peer-to-peer file-sharing services. "How pathetic that
those who want free music don't believe in free speech," RIAA spokesperson
Amy Weiss told Reuters.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=2127539
http://www.riaa.org
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o Yahoo Launches Premium LAUNCHcast Web Radio Subscription Service
Santa Monica, Calif. -- Yahoo on Wednesday announced the launch of a
premium version of its LAUNCHcast Internet radio service. LAUNCHcast Plus,
available for $3.99 per month or $35.99 per year, offers commercial-free
access to 50 pre-programmed niche station streams as well as the ability
to create stations based on favorite artists or listen to other
subscriber-created stations. The service will also be available for free
to SBC Yahoo DSL and Dial customers. Earlier this week, Yahoo announced
that it settled pending copyright infringement litigation between its
subsidiary Launch and Sony Music, which centered on the broadcast of
Sony-owned songs on the LAUNCHcast service.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030129/290110_1.html
http://launch.yahoo.com/launchcast
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o RealNetworks Narrows Loss With 900,000 Paying Subscribers
Seattle -- RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology, on
Wednesday reported a narrower loss and higher revenue than were expected
for the fourth quarter, aided by a growing subscriber base for its premium
services. For the year, the company said its revenues were $182.7 million
and net loss was $38.4 million, or $0.24 per share. "Consumer subscription
revenue grew dramatically from $28.2 million in 2001 to $75.5 million in
2002. This revenue was built on more than 80 percent growth in our paying
subscriber base from the end of last year, a deepening of the content we
offer consumers and release of our newest award-winning RealOne consumer
player," said RealNetworks chairman and CEO Rob Glaser. Seattle-based
RealNetworks said that it now claims over 900,000 paying subscribers for
its premium services.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030128/sftu091_1.html
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o Vivendi Declines Comment on Reported Talks With Microsoft on Games Unit
Paris -- Vivendi Universal has declined to comment on a report in
Wednesday's Financial Times that it is in talks with Microsoft that could
see the U.S. software giant make an offer for Vivendi Universal Games. The
report said the business, which includes games based on JRR Tolkien's Lord
of the Rings series, could be worth more than $1.5 billion. It has been
rumored for months that the French media group is trying to sell its games
unit, which was formerly part of its publishing arm, which was sold last
year. In addition to Microsoft, possible buyers include Sony and
Electronic Arts.
http://www.forbes.com/home_asia/newswire/2003/01/29/rtr862398.html
http://www.vugames.com
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o Lindows.com Released Sub-$350 Media Computer
San Diego -- Lindows.com, the Linux-based PC maker started by MP3.com
founder Michael Robertson, announced on Wednesday the release of the
Lindows Media Computer, intended to compete with Microsoft's XP Media
Center PC. The sub-$350 computer offers playback of DVDs, music CDs, MP3
CDs and VCD format video. San Diego-based Lindows.com still faces a
trademark infringement lawsuit from Microsoft, which owns the "Windows"
trademark; that case is due to go to trial in April.
http://www.lindows.com/lindows_news_pressreleases.php
http://www.idot.com/TheStore/Desktop/770Spec.asp?Product.id=770&Cate.id=19
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o Report: Digital Cable TV to Reach 39 Million U.S. Homes by 2007
Boston -- Growth of services such as video-on-demand, interactive and
enhanced TV, digital video recording and HDTV will propel digital cable TV
services into 39 million U.S. homes by the end of 2007, according to a
report released on Wednesday by Boston-based Yankee Group. An estimated
18.9 million homes were subscribed to digital cable at the end of 2002.
"To attain a high level of penetration cable operators must overcome three
major market hurdles," said Yankee Group analyst Aditya Kishore. "First,
digital penetration is leveling off at 35 to 40 percent of subscribers.
Second, high churn rates continue to plague the industry. Third,
debt-burdened MSOs are under pressure to generate free cash flow,
hampering their ability to rapidly conduct capital-intensive plant
upgrades." Yankee Group estimated these hurdles slowed digital cable net
additions to 4 million in 2002, down from 5 to 6 million net additions in
the two previous years.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230292004&ticker=
http://www.yankeegroup.com
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o Ericsson, Sony Inject Millions More Into Mobile Joint Venture
Stockholm and Tokyo -- Japan's Sony and Sweden's Ericsson said on
Wednesday that they will invest an additional 150 million euro ($162
million) each into their struggling mobile phone joint venture. Sony
Ericsson Mobile Communications, created in October of last year, has been
losing market share to competitors Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and
Siemens, partly because it has been unable to deliver its phones in
volumes to shops in time.
http://www.ericsson.com/press/20030129-070126.html
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o Pearl Jam to Offer MP3 Downloads of Concerts "Hours" After Completion
New York -- Epic Records recording artists Pearl Jam announced on
Wednesday that they will release live bootleg albums for each of the 47
shows of its 2003 Riot Act tour, in part to counter the trading of the
band's songs and live shows on file-sharing services. The bootlegs will
only be available for purchase online, unlike a similar promotion in 2000
when concert bootlegs were also sold in retail stores. The band will also
offer those who purchase any bootleg a free MP3 download of that entire
show -- "within hours of the show's real-time completion." "We wanted to
provide fans with a souvenir of the show they experienced immediately
following the show -- this comes pretty close," said Tim Bierman, Pearl
Jam's 10-club manager.
http://www.pearljambootlegs.com
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DMW Publications: Available for DMW Subscribers NOW!
December Law & Policy Report
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Contact tinzar@digitalmediawire.com or call 323-464-0793 to order your
copies.
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Digital Media Law & Policy Report (December)
A new report every month - must-read publication on legal and policy
matters related to digital media. 38 pages of case summaries, news and
analysis, policy updates, court filings, and exclusive interviews with
legal counsel and business leaders.
**Special Reduced Rates available for a limited time**
Price: $19.00 Per Issue | $195.00 Annual Subscription
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FEATURED SECTION
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Featured Section posting at:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/featuredpostingpage.htm
CALL FOR ENTRIES!
I.D. MAGAZINE'S INTERACTIVE MEDIA DESIGN REVIEW
I.D. is accepting entries into the 2003 Interactive Media Design Review.
This competition spotlights the year's most innovative interactive designs
in 7 categories -- from CD-ROMs, DVDs, games and kiosks to software
installations, Web sites and experimental work. Send in your best work --
all winning projects will be featured in the November 2003 issue of I.D.
and posted on our Web site at the same time.
CONTACT: IDcompetitions@fwpubs.com
http://www.idonline.com/specialoffers.asp?DMWA
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Make Better Games
Game Developers Conference Mobile
March 4-5, 2003
San Jose, CA
Join leaders of the mobile communications and game development industries
at GDC Mobile to share information, explore opportunities and make deals
to deliver compelling mobile entertainment to millions of consumers around
the world.
Save 30%: Register at http://www.gdcmobile.com by February 5 using
Priority Code DMWENL.
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Briefly Noted:
(London) Only 20 percent of mobile data users worldwide will use MMS
(Multimedia Messaging Service) in 2007, according to a new report from
research group ARC. MMS features include the ability to send and receive
video and audio messages. The lack of interoperability and roaming
agreements between mobile operators, low numbers of mass-market handsets,
and limited third-party business models will limit the growth of MMS over
the next few years, ARC said.
http://www.arcgroup.com
(Seattle) Media delivery technology provider RealNetworks announced on
Wednesday the launch of a new music discovery series on its broadband
entertainment site, produced by music video director Kevin Kerslake's
Gigantic Entertainment. "The Next" will feature "sessions of live
performances from musicians who are about to change the face of the music
scene and reinvent what audiences consider mainstream," including
Blackalicious, Kinky, Beth Orton, Zero 7 and Pete Yorn.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030129/sfw025_1.html
http://music.real.com/thenext
(London) Wireless network operator Hutchison 3G UK said on Wednesday that
it has signed an agreement with Reuters Group for the supply of news and
financial data to customers of its third-generation mobile services. Under
the agreement, Hutchison 3G customers will have access to Reuters' news
stories, news archives, companies and markets news and investor data
feeds.
http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Jan2003/4796.htm
(Ann Arbor, Mich.) Legend Mobile, a developer of celebrity-branded
wireless entertainment products, said on Wednesday that it partnered with
Ottawa-based ZIM Technologies to develop SMS text messaging services for
several Legend properties. ZIM will provide the delivery technology for
services that will let consumers subscribe to daily SMS news services for
recording artists Christina Aguilera and Nelly, as well as a number of
NASCAR Winston Cup drivers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030128/detu022_1.html
http://www.zim.biz
(Glen Cove, N.Y.) Game developer Acclaim Entertainment said on Wednesday
that it will release Xbox and GameCube versions of its "Burnout 2: Point
of Impact" title for PlayStation 2 in the spring of 2003. Guildford,
U.K.-based Criterion Games is currently developing the title for New
York-based Acclaim.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030129/292286_1.html
http://www.acclaim.com
http://www.criteriongames.com
(Staffordshire, England) Datel Electronics, a U.K.-based manufacturer of
video game accessories, announced that its Action Replay cheat code system
for Nintendo GameCube will be released on Feb. 18. The $39.99 device
stores over 1000 cheat codes, which give players access to hidden levels,
extra lives and other features, will support 60 titles including "Super
Mario Sunshine" and "Metroid Prime." Datel also markets Action Replay
devices for PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance, and is developing one for
Xbox.
http://www.datel.co.uk
(Barcelona) Private Media Group, a Spain-based adult entertainment
provider that submitted a bid for Napster's assets, announced on Wednesday
the launch of a DVD-quality adult video-on-demand service. The service
uses San Diego-based DivXNetworks' video compression and Open Video System
for broadband video delivery.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030129/law055_1.html
http://www.prvt.com
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CLASSIFIEDS - JOBS
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobpostingpage.htm
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====================
CLASSIFIEDS - EVENTS
====================
To Post Events: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/eventpostingpage.htm
Digital Media Wire Presents...
DIGITAL MUSIC FORUM
March 3, 2003 | New York City | 9:00AM - 7:00 PM
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events/MusicForum_030303.htm
A full-day forum focusing on business & legal issues impacting the music
industry today. The agenda includes 2 keynote addresses, 4 moderated
panels and breakout sessions.
Sponsors:
Roxio (http://www.roxio.com)
Gateway (http://www.gateway.com)
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ASCAP (http://www.ascap.com)
Audible.com (http://www.audible.com)
Digital Media Law Report (http://www.digitalmedialawreport.com)
Global Entertainment and Media Summit
(http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com)
Early bird registrations: $150 until January 31
February registrations: $200 until February 28
At the door: $250.
Pre-Register at: http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1024
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Digital Media Wire Presents...Games & Mobile Forum
April 2003, New York City
Focusing on games and mobile entertainment opportunities and business
models. Panel topics will include "The Battle to Control the Living Room:
Is the Game Industry Winning?", "Mobile Games: Business Models & New
Opportunities", "Legal & Policy Issues Impacting the Game Industry &
Mobile Entertainment", and "Home Networking: Technology for Modern Living
& Entertainment."
Door Tickets Price: $250. For Early Bird Specials, pre-register at:
http://kb.digitalmediawire.com/register.php?eventid=1025
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Global Entertainment & Media Summit, February 28 - March 2, New York City
The Global Entertainment and Media Summit returns to New York City for a
productive three days of conferences, workshops and keynotes all
dedicated to helping to facilitate the growth of our industries.
Keynotes include Danny Goldberg, Dave Marsh, Lee Abrams of XM Satellite
Radio and Jack Healey, of the Human Rights Action Center --formerly of
Amnesty International. The event will feature over 20 productive panel
sessions over the course of the three-day event. Show dates are Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, February 28, March 1 and March 2. Registration is $75
per person and includes admission to all events.
Details: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com
Schedule: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/schedule.htm
Tickets: http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com/tickets.htm
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CLASSIFIEDS - MARKETPLACE
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To Post Marketplace:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplacepostingpage.htm
UCLA Extension Course: Digital Entertainment
The definitive course on the intersection of entertainment and technology
is returning to UCLA Extension this January. Digital & Hollywood: How Do
We Pick Up The Pieces & Move Forward? begins Tuesday, January 28th @ 7pm.
This nine week program features informative, stimulating, and
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subscribers receive a special $45 discount off of the $430 list price. To
register and take advantage of this special offer, simply visit the UCLA
extension website (www.uclaextension.edu), click on the Quick Link tab and
enter the following special registration code: N8513
http://www.uclaextension.edu
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Game Industry Law & Policy Report
Special industry report covering law & policy matters impacting the game
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President, Interactive Digital Software Association. Price: $19.00
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/marketplace.htm
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For those who believe in ITV - "Interactive TV: The Definitive Chronicle"
Covering the period 2000 to the present, this sourcebook presents a
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_____________________________________________
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This is your company's final chance to purchase the inaugural edition of
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Digital Media Wire, Inc. leverages its integrated media network to provide
exceptional value to individuals and companies determined to capitalize on
the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. Digital Media
Wire, the first in a series of business-intelligence publications,
delivers original daily briefings on the business, legal and financial
developments shaping digital media.
Digital Media Wire is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international
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Editor: Mark Hefflinger
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Copyright 2003 Digital Media Wire, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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