Current.TV

Al Gore didn't invent the internet, but it sounds like he might be trying to re-invent the online TV experience. With his Emmy win last night, CurrentTV got a shot in the arm. I've personally not seen the new network channel, but some reports just say it's boring. lostremote.com
Current.com is not up yet, but current.tv is.

News and information sources.

AR&D has an interesting post and graph on how Americans are getting their news.

No real surprises but it is clear that Television News and Newspapers are both in a world of hurt if they don't figure out new ways of reaching their audience.

Something else they may want to consider is updating their web sites, especially local news stations. Most the sites I have checked out are considerably outdated and slow due to being bloated with advertising.

Netflix

I had my doubts on this one, but, after reading Mike's post about Netflix and talking to him I had to give it a try. So far, it has been great.

In just a couple weeks we have the system down to a science.

1. Monday: I drop the movies in the mail on my way to work.
2. Tuesday: Mid-day I get an email that they have been received, shortly thereafter I get an email telling me the next 2 movies available in my queue are being processed.
3. Wednesday: The movies arrive in the mail and we have until Sunday to watch them and get them ready for the next round.

Netflix is saving me time and money not to mention making it a lot easier to keep reviews up to date on CybersDVDs.com (shameless plug).

CNN Debuts "News To Me"

CNN debuted their new social media program today, "News To Me". At first it looked as though they were just going to show videos and stuff from the web without any commentary, but the program looked pretty good. It appears that some in the Main Stream Media are starting to realize the value, or at least the inevitability of the blogosphere and social media.

"News To Me" is the world as YOU see it. Your videos, pictures and stories showcased in an original, fast-paced and interactive show debuting on Headline News on Saturday, May 19. "News To Me" is your show, so send your videos and pictures.
Source : CNN - Send an I report

Note: It does not show up on the schedule as an independent program which is disappointing to us DVR/Tivo junkies.

CEA Surveys US Households

There's an interesting article from Media Center PC World, quoting a study by the Consumer Electronics Association. It says the average U.S. household owns 25 consumer electronics and the average adult spends $1,200 a year on these products. Gee, I spend that much on my cell phone alone!

The article continues with the top five most owned products; TV, DVD player or recorder, VCR, cordless phone and cellular phone.
Source: www.mediacenterpcworld.com

So do I fit the average profile? Let's count 'em up and see...
3 cell phones
2 TV's
2 PC's
2 monitors
2 external hard drives
2 flash drives
2 sets of external speakers for PC
telephone with digital answering machine
surround sound speaker system for TV
component stereo system
DVD player
DSL modem
Cisco router
scanner
printer
VCR
iPod
Total = 25
Yep, I'm just an average guy.

Comcast continues to grow

The largest cable operator in the U.S., Comcast has announced their plans to purchase another cable company, Patriot Media and Communications, for $483 million.

Comcast had previously announced it would take control of fifty percent of Insight Communications, which is the ninth-largest cable operator in the country, located in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

Also noteworthy...Comcast Set To Pass Vonage As Leading VoIP Provider...

Moffett expects Comcast to continue to show dramatic growth: he says the company will increase the number of homes with access to its phone service by more than 10 million in 2007, “equal to almost three Cablevisions in a single year. Source: blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily