Open Media Network to offer digital TV, radio shows online for free
The San Francisco Chronicle reports a Silicon Valley startup began distributing television shows, radio programs, movies, podcasts and video blogs for free online yesterday. But unlike file-sharing networks like Kazaa or BitTorrent, the new Open Media Network will only have media content that is authorized for online distribution.
The Open Media Network of Sunnyvale is headed by two former Netscape execs, including its co-founder, Marc Andreessen.
"It's a wonderful showcase for state-of-the-art digital distribution,'' said Mike Homer, founder of the nonprofit Open Media Network. "While illegal content has been the story, I think legal content in the audio and video world is poised to take off.''
Andreessen is an adviser and board member for the new venture, while Homer -- onetime head of Netscape's NetCenter Web portal, is the founder.
At launch, the Open Media Network, at www.omn.org, will offer shows such as "Spark,'' a weekly arts show produced by San Francisco's KQED-TV, which can be downloaded and viewed on a computer.
Other public broadcasting stations, such as WGBH in Boston and Washington State University's KWSU, will also be offering programs.
The network will also offer podcasts, which can be downloaded to a computer or portable digital audio player. They will include New York Public Radio's "On the Media With Bob Garfield'' from WNYC and other shows from Northwest Public Radio.
Also, independent and short films from Cinequest, the San Jose Film Festival and Underground.com will be available for download. In addition, the network will feature video from Witness.org, a human rights advocacy group.
The network is also open to any publishers who might want to find a new way to distribute their video or audio.
The company hopes to make its guide available by this summer on cell phones and for TiVo digital video recorder subscribers to watch on regular TV sets.
CC Katz Advantage opens Boston office
Clear Channel Katz Advantage opened a regional office in Boston to provide media marketing solutions for agencies and advertisers in the New England area, it was announced by Bonnie Press, President, Clear Channel Katz Advantage. Brian Callahan has re-located from New York to Boston to run the unit as VP/Director.
Laura Ingraham battles breast cancer
TRN's Laura Ingraham underwent surgery yesterday morning for breast cancer. According to her website at lauraingraham.com, she was diagnosed with the disease on Friday. Read her comments here:
PRAYER REQUEST FOR LAURA: You know I hate Drama Kings or Queens, but I am asking for your prayers today and for the forseeable future. On Friday afternoon, I learned that I have joined the ever-growing group of American women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. As so many breast cancer patients will tell you, it all came as a total shock. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who love me--my family, a wonderful fiance (if he thinks he's going to get out of marrying me because of this little blib, he's sadly mistaken!), my friends, and my church. I am absolutely blown away by how helpful and kind everyone has been-including total strangers who have experienced the same rollercoaster of emotions. The sisterhood of breast cancer survivors is inspiring. I am truly blessed. On Tuesday I will have an operation and within a few days will know more about the future. I am hopeful for a bright future and a "normal" life (well, scratch the "normal" part). Anyway, people have gone through much worse, and I know I'll obliterate this. I am thanking you in advance for your prayers. You are my family. And remember, I'll be back sooner than you think.
KCRW adds more on-demand programming
Beginning 5/2, KCRW-FM LA will make its signature daily music programs, Morning Becomes Eclectic and Metropolis, available whenever listeners want to hear them at KCRW.com. Currently, listeners can stream each show as it happens from the simulcast at www.KCRW.com or KCRW's all music stream, www.KCRWMusic.com, where there is also a repeat broadcast. Now each show will be available on demand for 24 hours until the new show airs. Morning Becomes Eclectic (Mon Fri, 9 am to Noon) called "one of the most interesting and influential radio shows in the U.S" by The Wall Street Journal, is hosted by KCRW Music Director, Nic Harcourt. Metropolis host Jason Bentley (Mon Fri, 7:30 to 10pm) championed electronica music in the early 90's, years before the genre hit the mainstream. Bentley continues to feature cutting-edge dance music and electronica.
Too many Detroit radio stars are dying
From Art Vuolo, Michiguide.com: Mark Scott, 69, one of Detroit's most controversial and opinionated talk radio hosts died Sunday, April 24th of an apparent heart attack at Providence Hospital in Southfield. Mark came to Detroit about 20 years ago from Dayton, OH and was a top-rated talk host on WXYT-AM 1270 when it was a high-profile talk station. He was heavily involved in the Nevers/Budson police beating of Malice Green back in 1993. He was physically active and an ex-Marine who often did his show in either sports wear or military fatigues. Ironically, the man who ran the control board for The Mark Scott Show at WXYT was Dan Koti, later known as Rod Holden, WWJ Metro Traffic reporter, who died just a week earlier at age 42. Art Vuolo, who of course has videotape of Mark Scott and provided same to all three major Detroit TV stations, said "this is why we're having one big last radio reunion this September 24th, because we are simply losing TOO many of our friends in broadcasting."
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
