June 3, 2008

MSNBC's Long, Successful Campaign

Cable news nets profit from primary season, Google follows example of Captain Renault and more news.

By Steve Goldstein

News Briefing for Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The long presidential primary season has been a boon to cable news networks, according to the Hollywood Reporter. In particular, MSNBC established itself as a rowdy competitor on primary nights and may have finally attracted a sizable, loyal following. [Hollywood Reporter]

Among major Internet-specific businesses, only Google and Amazon are likely to remain successful in the next few years, writes Sanford C. Bernstein Jeffrey Lindsay in the report "U.S. Internet: The End of the Beginning," as reported by Reuters. The rest of the Internet players will be acquired or will fade from view entirely. [Reuters]

Google acceded to the wishes of Thailand’s government and blocked access to a video clip. As a reward, Google’s YouTube was allowed to reach computers in that country, Bloomberg reports. [Bloomberg]

The Sportsman Channel launched on Comcast systems in Twin Cities, Minn.; Richmond, Va.; central Pennsylvania; Independence, Mo.; Kokomo, Ind.; Olathe, Kan.; Redhouse, W.Va.; Western Wisconsin; and Chico, Grass Valley, Yuba City and Oroville systems in California. 

Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg will speak at the International Stop Cyberbullying Conference in New York today. [New York Observer]

Verizon is negotiating with the town of Milford, Mass., to bring FiOS TV to the area. [Milford Daily News]

Monday's Top Stories

Time's running out to nominate companies for CableFAX: The Magazine's Top 10 Places to Work in Cable. Complete our online nomination form by June 9 and let us know why your employer is tops. 

Visit Cable360 to respond to the poll question: Which political party are cable operators, satellite distributors and telcos more likely to contribute to in the general election for the presidency?

Got a tip? Contact sgoldstein@accessintel.com and sarenstein@accessintel.com.