Blog is a Mix Tape

@work: Live! Host Chat

nobody@vox.com(Jason) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:21:08 -0700

If you’ve watched Live before, you know the top of the show is usually the most entertaining. That’s the part called “Host Chat”, when Regis and Kelly tell you the news, their opinions, and their crazy lives. Well, now if you miss that part of the show, it’s being streamed online. Not too many syndicated shows stream their content online. I’ve been told it’s usually due to contracts with affiliates. It’s nice to see those walls finally coming down.

- Live with Regis and Kelly streaming online, Lost Remote, 07.17.07

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@work: We Don't Get That Paper, Son!

nobody@vox.com(Jason) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 10:57:25 -0700

At least my former employer doesn't:

Amp’d Mobile has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to statement released by the company. In the release, Amp’d writes: “As a result of our rapid growth, our back-end infrastructure was unable to keep up with customer demand. We are taking this step as a necessary and responsible action to sustain and strengthen our momentum in the market place.” Engadget isn’t buying the, well, strange excuse: “…since when does growth and consumer interest in an MVNO’s service equal business-rattling financial problems?” 24/7 Wall Street writes: “That may be the oddest excuse for a Chapter 11 filing ever spoken.” Amp’d has 200,000 subscribers and MocoNews points out that the company owes creditors $100 million.

-Amp'd Mobile Files for bankruptcy because of 'rapid growth', Lost Remote, 06.03.07

I worked for Amp'd for about 4 months creating a now defunct social network called blognet. I actually think that amp'd has a very cool service. The quality of the video is amazing and it was one of the best phone interfaces I've ever seen. That said, I never believed before they launched, while I was working there, or after I left, that Americans used phones in the way this business model requires. I live in LA where everyone has a cell phone and is on it all the time. On it talking. And, more recently, on it texting. I never, ever, see anyone using their phone to watch video. No one shows me video they've downloaded to their phone. Oh sure, they show me their kid and pet and cutesy cat photos and videos (that they've taken themselves) but nobody ever shows me that music video they bought or that UFC fight they are streaming live.

And, specific to Amp'd, I've never seen anyone walking around with an Amp'd phone. I've seen Helio (don't call it a phone) devices a lot more in recent months (nerds are all over that Ocean joint which does, I must admit, look hella cool) but not a soul has an amp'd phone and I spend a hell of a lot of time with early adopters.

Maybe Amp'd will get it together and come around...I'm still just not convinced.

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@work: We Get That Paper, Son!

nobody@vox.com(Jason) — Sat, 26 May 2007 11:11:36 -0700

The digital side of Disney is starting to bring in some serious revenue. The Walt Disney Internet Group says it will hit $1.5 billion in revenue for 2006 driven largely by ecommerce ($800 million) such as travel and merchandise. WDIG President Steven Wadsworth says the company is pursuing a range of revenue models, yet the overall strategy is to use free, ad-supported content to lure consumers into subscription deals.

- Disney Internet expects $1.5 billion in revenue, Lost Remote, 05.25.07

I've got a replay of the webcast here.

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@work: The New Disney.com

nobody@vox.com(Jason) — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:40:44 -0800

New Home Page

Disney Xtreme Digital (Disney XD), the broadband centerpiece of the new site, will allow guests to personalize their favorite Disney content as well as watch and share with others videos, including television shows and shorts; chat with friends, listen to music; create playlists; and enjoy a stunning array of games. Disney.com guests will also be able to access premium content through Disney XD, such as the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean Online massively multiplayer game, which is set to launch in 2007.

Knowing the CES crowd had spent a day slogging through traffic gridlock, jetlag and hours of exhibit-strolling, Robert Iger came ready to wake them up. And Disney’s chief executive delivered, with a keynote packed with celebrity appearances, sneak previews, the unveiling of the new Disney.com and a spoof spoiler of ABC’s series Lost.

- Monday Night Keynote, CES Notebook - WSJ.Com, 01.08.07

and

In his keynote speech at CES, Disney CEO Robert Iger gave a sneak peek of the new Disney.com site, which will launch later this month. The broadband centerpiece, called Disney XD, features both free and premium Disney video and games. Users can share videos, chat with friends in a social networking environment, listen to music, create playlists and play a “stunning array” of games.

- Iger reveals new Disney.com home page by Cory Bergman, Lost Remote, 01.08.07

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I like redesigns

nobody@vox.com(Jason) — Sun, 22 Oct 2006 19:02:06 -0700

The new Hollywood Reporter site is very attractive. Even more-so than Daily Variety's recent redesign.

hat tip: lost remote

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