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TNS MEDIA RESEARCH will begin receiving data from 100,000 DirecTV set-top boxes to analyze viewing patterns as part of a new service called TNS DirecTView. Households will be asked to join the service, which will record demographic data but be stripped of names and other identifying information. The new service will offer second-by-second ratings similar to what TiVo has begun offering - yet another challenge to Nielsen's control of the TV ratings market.

SHOWTIME will move its Emmy screenings online, using Brightcove to stream full seasons of its top series for Emmy voters. The company will soon release the "Brightcove Show" Internet TV application, which will offer "instant, full-screen, broadcast-quality" video. The move will help Showtime reduce costs and cut screener packages down to 3 DVDs from the 20 it was forced to mail out last year. Voters can begin watching the shows on February 15th. Consumers will see a similar ad-supported Showtime service follow in the future.

THE NAB claims that 79% of consumers are aware of the upcoming transition to all-digital broadcast, based on the results of a recent survey. The group has called its consumer education campaign "highly successful." However, Consumer Reports has conducted its own survey and found massive confusion and misunderstandings surrounding the transition. In that survey, almost 50% of analog TV owners don't know even know if they will be affected by the transition.

THE OSCARS have made contingency plans just in case picketing writers scare away Hollywood stars. Academy president Sid Ganis said the group has "an obligation to the art form," and so the show must go on. In a worst-case scenario, the show will feature awards announcements with interspersed video featuring film clips and pieces on the history of the Oscars.

AT&T and YAHOO have reached a deal to share ad revenue from cell phones and computers. Yahoo will provide search and display ads for AT&T's web portal and phones, offering mobile versions of Yahoo and its "Go" application. Yahoo will also continue to provide services to U-verse customers.

Get the full story at http://www.Media30.com.

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