Top Stories
o Report: 2005 U.S. Album Sales Down 7.2%; Download Sales Up 194%
o Toshiba to Offer First Next-Generation HD DVD Players in U.S. in March
o Samsung to Sell First Blu-ray DVD Player in U.S. for $1,000
o Report: U.S. Consumer DVD Spending Up 8% in 2005 to $22.8 Billion
o Fox to Sell Pre-Air TV Shows on DirecTV Digital Video Recorders
o Verizon Introduces V CAST Music Download Service for Cell Phones
o RealNetworks Signs Rhapsody Distribution Deals With HP, Cox
o Gracenote, Muze to Combine CD Lookup, Artist Information Databases
o Vivendi Universal Games Acquires "Darkwatch" Developer High Moon
o Queen of England Bestows CBE Honor on iPod Designer "Jony" Ive
o New Year's Revelers Smash One-Day Text Record in U.K.
_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Briefly Noted
o Librarian of Congress Names Copyright Royalty Judges
o Sling Media Adds Windows Mobile Devices to Portable TV Service
o XM Hits 6 Million Satellite Radio Subscribers, Expects 9 Million by '07
o Sony Ericsson Introduces W810 Walkman Phone
o Toshiba Debuts New Line of Gigabeat Players With Video
o Sirius Satellite Radio to Launch 24-Hour Playboy Channel
o Microsoft, KVH to Develop In-Vehicle MSN TV Service
o Audiovox Introduces Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver
o Wurlitzer Offers $9,500 Jukebox With iPod Dock
o Mforma Releases "Call of Duty 2" Mobile Game
o Online Game Challenges Accounting Students to Save Ailing Record Label
o Linden Lab's "Second Life" Online Community Hits 100,000 Residents
_____________________________________________

Los Angeles - U.S. album sales fell 7.2% in 2005 to their lowest level in eight years, while sales of digital song downloads grew 194%, according to data from market research firm Nielsen SoundScan. A total of 618.9 million albums were sold during 2005, near 1996's tally of 616.6 million. However, overall music sales -- which includes albums, singles, music videos and digital downloads -- were up 22.7% and topped one billion units for the year. Nielsen SoundScan reported that 332.7 song downloads were sold online in 2005, up from 134.2 million in 2004, adding that last-minute holiday shoppers propelled digital sales to a record week of 9.7 million downloads.
http://tinyurl.com/dvftb (Reuters)
http://tinyurl.com/7k77q (AP)
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/06/arts/music/06nich.html?8dpc
_____________________________________________ 

o Toshiba to Offer First Next-Generation HD DVD Players in U.S. in March

Las Vegas - Japanese consumer electronics firm Toshiba announced on Thursday that it will begin shipping its first next-generation HD DVD players in the U.S. in March. Toshiba will offer two player models, the $799 HD-XA1 and $499 HD-A1. The company will promote the launch of HD DVD with a retail demonstration campaign targeting the top 38 U.S. TV markets, and an extensive advertising campaign. The company also promised that backers will make nearly 200 titles available on HD DVD by the end of the year. Universal Pictures on Thursday announced its initial slate of 10 titles that it will offer in HD DVD format in March, which will include "Jarhead," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Cinderella Man." Separately, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said in his keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that his company will offer an add-on HD DVD drive for its Xbox 360 video game console by the end of 2006. Sony plans to include the capacity to play its rival Blu-ray DVD discs in the PlayStation 3, due for release later this year.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060104/new001.html?.v=42
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060104/law137.html?.v=6
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=13882
http://www.hddvdprg.com
http://www.universalpictures.com
____________________________________________ 

o Samsung to Sell First Blu-ray DVD Player in U.S. for $1,000

Las Vegas - Samsung, the Korean consumer electronics firm, announced on Thursday that it will ship the world's first next-generation Blu-ray DVD player, based on technology developed by Sony, in the U.S. in early spring for $1,000. The BD-P1000 will also play all legacy DVD formats and feature a memory card reader. Toshiba, developer of the rival HD DVD format, said on Thursday that it will begin shipping its first HD DVD players in the U.S. in March, which will start at $499.
http://tinyurl.com/7uqaq
http://www.samsung.com
____________________________________________ 

o Report: U.S. Consumer DVD Spending Up 8% in 2005 to $22.8 Billion

Las Vegas - U.S. consumers spent $22.8 billion buying and renting DVDs during 2005, an 8% increase over 2004, according to a report from the Digital Entertainment Group, a trade group representing home video retail and rental companies. DVD retail sales grew 5%, to $16.3 billion, while rentals were up 14% to $6.5 billion. However, the overall home video market -- which includes sales and rentals of both DVD and VHS -- actually shrank slightly in 2005, to $24.3 billion, from 2004's $24.5 billion. More than 1.6 billion DVDs were shipped during 2005, a 9% increase from 2004, bringing the total number of DVDs shipped since the format's launch to 5.6 billion discs. The number of U.S. households with a DVD player, including portable models, rose to 82 million; when DVD-playing PCs and video game consoles are factored in, the number grows to 89 million. The DEG estimates that over 80% of U.S. TV households can now play DVDs.
http://tinyurl.com/cqgmn
http://www.dvdinformation.com
____________________________________________

o Fox to Sell Pre-Air TV Shows on DirecTV Digital Video Recorders

Las Vegas - Fox Entertainment Group announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement with satellite TV provider DirecTV, to sell downloads of TV programs to DirecTV digital video recorder -- both after they are broadcast and before they air for the first time on TV. Beginning in March, Fox will offer episodes of select FX series a day or two before their first broadcast for $2.99 each. Later this year, Fox will offer downloads of episodes of "The Shield," "Rescue Me," "24" and "Prison Break" for about a week following their initial broadcast, for 99 cents each. "For the very first time, viewers will be able to watch their favorite shows before the rest of the world," said News Corp president and COO Peter Chernin. "And we now have the ability to create different cuts of our programs for the pre-air audience -- versions with additional scenes and materials not included in the network broadcast -- something entirely new."
http://tinyurl.com/cjntg
http://www.directv.com
____________________________________________

o Verizon Introduces V CAST Music Download Service for Cell Phones

Las Vegas - Verizon Wireless on Thursday introduced V CAST Music, a service that lets users purchase and download songs to their cell phones, and also transfer their PC music collections to their phones. If songs are purchased via a compatible cell phone, such as the LG VX8100 or Samsung a950, consumers will pay $1.99 and receive two copies -- one for the phone and one for a Windows XP PC. Songs can also be purchased for 99 cents via PC, and then loaded onto a cell phone using a USB cable. Verizon said prices for full albums downloaded to a PC will vary by album. More than one million songs are expected to be available by spring, from all four major record labels as well as independent distributor The Orchard. Verizon said that when the service launches on Jan. 16, it will be available to 150 million subscribers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/nyth105.html?.v=36
http://www.verizonwireless.com/music
____________________________________________

o RealNetworks Signs Rhapsody Distribution Deals With HP, Cox

Las Vegas - RealNetworks, a provider of media delivery technology and content subscription services, announced on Thursday that PC maker HP has signed a deal to bundle the Rhapsody music service with its computers -- replacing former partner Apple and its iTunes software. Starting in the spring, purchasers of new HP and Compaq computers will receive a 30-day free trial to Rhapsody Unlimited; the RealNetworks software will also be made the default media software on the machines. Separately, Seattle-based RealNetworks said it has signed an agreement with Cox Communications, the nation's third-largest cable TV company. Under the deal, Cox will offer Rhapsody to its high-speed Internet customers through its Cox.net portal, with the ability to add Rhapsody charges to their monthly Cox bill.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/sfth096.html?.v=23
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/sfth097.html?.v=25
http://tinyurl.com/9a9pe (CNET)
http://www.cox.net
http://www.rhapsody.com
____________________________________________

o Gracenote, Muze to Combine CD Lookup, Artist Information Databases

Las Vegas - Gracenote, a provider of CD and digital song identification services, announced on Thursday that it has signed a multi-year agreement with Muze, a provider of informational databases on music, movies, books and games, to integrate the two companies' services. The combined Gracenote and Muze offering will bring up Muze's album art, album reviews and artist biographies when users search CD song titles using Gracenote's database of over 4 million CDs and 55 million tracks. The companies said the combined service can be used in consumer electronics, mobile devices, PCs and automotive entertainment devices. Berkeley, Calif.-based Gracenote said its MusicID service was used by 150 million consumers in 2005, through applications including Apple's iTunes; Muze data is utilized in music retail kiosks and digital cable radio services.
http://tinyurl.com/87jq7
http://www.muze.com
http://www.gracenote.com
____________________________________________

o Vivendi Universal Games Acquires "Darkwatch" Developer High Moon

Los Angeles - Vivendi Universal Games, the media conglomerate's video game publishing unit, announced on Thursday that it has acquired High Moon Studios, developer of the "Darkwatch" game franchise. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Los Angeles-based VU Games said it will maintain High Moon's 100-person staff and headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. "VU Games and High Moon are already collaborating on a soon-to-be-announced project based on a major entertainment license," said VU Games CEO Bruce Hack. "Our acquisition of the studio is another major step forward in building the company's position as a leader in next generation console games."
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/lath128.html?.v=14
http://www.highmoonstudios.com
http://www.vugames.com
____________________________________________

o Queen of England Bestows CBE Honor on iPod Designer "Jony" Ive

London - Jonathan "Jony" Ive, designer of Apple Computer's hugely popular iPod digital music player, has been made Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), an honor ranking just below knighthood. Ive, who is senior vice president of design at Apple, was given the CBE by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his "contribution and services to British interests". Since Apple launched the gadget in 2001, the company has sold more than 30 million iPods; last year, iPod sales increased by about 500% year-on-year. Whether or not Queen Elizabeth owns one of her own is unknown.
http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/01/03/ive/index.php
____________________________________________

o New Year's Revelers Smash One-Day Text Record in U.K.

London - According to a new report by the Mobile Data Association (MDA), more than 165 million text messages were sent in the U.K. between midnight Dec. 31, 2005, and midnight Jan. 1, 2006 -- an average of more than 6.9 million SMS messages every hour. The MDA said it was the highest daily total on record. The total number of person-to-person texts sent across local GSM networks on New Year's Day grew by a remarkable 24% compared to the 133 million texts sent over the same period last year. The MDA predicted that SMS figures would continue to rise this year to reach an annual total of more than 36.5 billion text messages -- an average of 3 billion per month and 100 million per day.
http://www.mda-mobiledata.org/mda  

Top

Top

o Librarian of Congress Names Copyright Royalty Judges

Washington - The Librarian of Congress on Thursday announced the appointment of the first three Copyright Royalty Judges, who will hear any disputes in matters such as the fixing of royalties paid to copyright holders to stream music online. The new Chief Copyright Royalty Judge is James S. Sledge; also appointed were Stanley C. Wisniewski, who has expertise in economics, and William J. Roberts, whose expertise is copyright law. Biographical information on the judges, who will assume office on Jan. 9, is available from the link below.
http://www.copyright.gov/pr/crb-judges.html
____________________________________________

o Sling Media Adds Windows Mobile Devices to Portable TV Service
 
Las Vegas - Consumer electronics firm Sling Media on Thursday introduced SlingPlayer Mobile, an application for owners of its Slingbox device that lets them view their home TV programming from any Windows Mobile-based smartphone or PDA. The company's $250 Slingbox lets users watch their home premium cable or satellite TV channels, including programs recorded on digital video recorders, from anywhere in the world over a broadband connection. Sling Media said the new mobile service will work with devices including the Palm Treo 700w, Motorola Q, Samsung i730, UTStarcom PPC6700, Dell Axim and HP iPAQ when it launches in the first quarter of 2006.
http://tinyurl.com/anhls
http://www.slingmedia.com
____________________________________________

o XM Hits 6 Million Satellite Radio Subscribers, Expects 9 Million by '07

Washington - XM Satellite Radio announced on Thursday that now counts more than 6 million subscribers, having added 2.7 million new customers during 2005, and projects that it will end 2006 with more than 9 million subscribers. "XM added a record number of new subscribers in 2005, representing 84 percent growth over prior year ending subscribers," said XM president and CEO Hugh Panero. Rival Sirius Satellite Radio claims 3.3 million subscribers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060104/nyw195.html?.v=15
http://www.xmradio.com
____________________________________________

o Sony Ericsson Introduces W810 Walkman Phone

Las Vegas - Sony Ericsson on Thursday introduced its latest Walkman phone, the Sony Ericsson W810. The music phone comes with a 512MB memory stick, which can be upgraded to 2GB, as well as a 2-megapixel camera, video capture and Bluetooth connectivity. Sony Ericsson did not provide pricing details for the phone, which will ship to North America in the spring of 2006.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060104/daw007a.html?.v=2
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060104/DAW007
____________________________________________

o Toshiba Debuts New Line of Gigabeat Players With Video

Las Vegas - Toshiba America Consumer Products on Thursday debuted a new line of hard drive-based Gigabeat portable media players, the company's first such devices to feature video playback. The players will feature a 2.4-inch screen and Microsoft Windows Media technology. Toshiba will offer the devices in three colors -- white, black and blue -- and two capacities: 30GB ($299) and 60GB ($399), when they ship to retailers in March.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060104/new007.html?.v=37
http://www.gigabeat.com
____________________________________________

o Sirius Satellite Radio to Launch 24-Hour Playboy Channel

New York - Sirius Satellite Radio, a subscription radio service with 3.3 million subscribers, said on Thursday that it will launch a 24-hour Playboy-branded radio channel early in 2006. Programming will include a morning show featuring a segment with Hugh Hefner, and a daily hour of "Sexy Stories." Subscribers will be required to opt-in to receive the channel, either by phone or online.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/nyth128.html?.v=33
http://www.siriusradio.com 
____________________________________________

o Microsoft, KVH to Develop In-Vehicle MSN TV Service

Las Vegas - Microsoft announced on Thursday that it partnered with KVH Industries to develop a product and service that delivers MSN TV to moving vehicles. The KVH Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV will provide in-motion access to Web browsing, e-mail and MSN services over a broadband EVDO cellular network, to cars, trucks, boats and RVs. The companies did not provide pricing details for the offering, which will become available in mid-2006.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/sfth007.html?.v=36
http://www.kvh.com
http://www.msntv.com
____________________________________________

o Audiovox Introduces Sirius Satellite Radio Receiver

Las Vegas - Audiovox on Thursday introduced a $99 plug-and-play receiver and car kit for Sirius Satellite Radio. The SIRCMB5 can also be upgraded with kits for a second car or home stereo connection for $39 each.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/nyth008.html?.v=37
http://www.audiovox.com
____________________________________________

o Wurlitzer Offers $9,500 Jukebox With iPod Dock

Gurnee, Ill. - Wurlitzer Jukebox and Vending on Thursday introduced a version of its classic "Model 1015" jukebox that connects to Apple's iPod. The $9,500 Wurlitzer One More Time Special Edition for iPod CD Jukebox features the company's trademark rotating color and bubble tubes, in addition to an iPod Dock on the front. The "ultimate iPod accessory" device also functions as a normal jukebox that can hold 100 CDs.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/phth016.html?.v=40
http://www.deutsche-wurlitzer.de/index.php/article/articleview/1976/1/1313
____________________________________________

o Mforma Releases "Call of Duty 2" Mobile Game

San Francisco - Mobile entertainment publisher Mforma on Thursday launched its "Call of Duty 2" mobile game, based on the title published by Activision. San Francisco-based Mforma also developed a mobile game based on the original "Call of Duty" title.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/lath015.html?.v=40
http://www.mforma.com
____________________________________________

o Online Game Challenges Accounting Students to Save Ailing Record Label

New York - The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) on Thursday announced the launch of an online game that challenges students to operate a record label. "The Turnaround Game," designed to spark high school and college students' interest in accounting careers, asks players to develop a winning proposal to save an ailing record company called BigNoizz.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/nyth127.html?.v=35
http://www.aicpa.org
http://www.theturnaroundgame.com
____________________________________________

o Linden Lab's "Second Life" Online Community Hits 100,000 Residents

San Francisco - Linden Lab, developer of the "Second Life" 3D online world, announced on Thursday that the online community's population now exceeds 100,000 residents. Access to "Second Life" is free, while users may exchange U.S. dollars for virtual currency used in the game; Linden Lab said that over $3.4 million in virtual goods and services is now traded between its residents every month.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/sfth074.html?.v=31
http://www.secondlife.com

Top

Top

Digital Media Wire, Inc. is part of the Tech Wire Media Group, an international network of publications that includes Potomac Tech Wire, New England Tech Wire, Southeast Tech Wire, Bay Area Tech Wire, Tri-state Tech Wire, Thames Tech Wire and European Tech Wire. The network reaches more than 70,000 individuals from over 70 countries each business day.

For more information, visit our network of sites:
www.digitalmediawire.com         www.potomactechwire.com www.newenglandtechwire.com  www.bayareatechwire.com www.tristatetechwire.com          www.southeasttechwire.com www.thamestechwire.com          www.europeantechwire.com

Executive & Editorial Team
CEO & Publisher: Ned Sherman
Co-Founder & Executive Editor: Paul Sherman
VP, Marketing & Events: Tinzar Than Sherman
Editor: Mark Hefflinger

Contact Us
Questions, Comments & Suggestions - comments@digitalmediawire.com
News Tips & Press Releases - editorial@digitalmediawire.com
Advertising - marketing@digitalmediawire.com

Telephone:  310-855-0033

For a free subscription to Digital Media Wire:

To unsubscribe, please send an email with PLEASE UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line to unsubscribe@digitalmediawire.com

Top