Business News

• Cable industry moves closer to "tru2way" implementation
  The U.S. cable industry is moving closer to implementing standardized technology platforms that will allow people to access interactive-TV programming such as video-on-demand, regardless of which provider is distributing the content. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said his company would roll out the initiative, called tru2way, in all its markets by the end of the year. USA TODAY/Associated Press (1/7)

• ACA calls for a la carte alternative
  The American Cable Association announced late last week that it would work with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin in requiring large programmers to offer their content a la carte, a move the ACA believes will benefit small cable firms. "This change would create a realistic option for [cable companies] to purchase channels other than in bundles mandated by programmers. At the same time, programmers would remain free to offer programming in bundles and charge different rates for channels purchased on a stand-alone basis, so long as those rates were reasonable," the group told the FCC. Multichannel News (1/4)

• FX goes to the movies with 20th Century Fox deal
  For $55 million, FX has acquired the exclusive network-TV rights for five 20th Century Fox theatricals, including summertime blockbusters "The Simpsons Movie," "Live Free or Die Hard" and "Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer." FX will be able to televise the films in the fourth quarter of 2009, after their pay-TV window on HBO. Variety (subscription required) (1/6)

• NYT, CNBC ink deal to share Web content
  The New York Times has teamed up with financial news network CNBC to become each other's "primary partners" online, by posting articles and video for free to each other's sites. Although the deal could better position the two media properties against News Corp.'s print-TV combination of The Wall Street Journal and Fox Business Network, a CNBC spokesman said the alliance was not spurred by its rivals. NYTimes.com (1/7)

Programming News

• Stewart, Colbert and Maher return with new episodes
  Comedy Central faux news shows "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report With Steven Colbert" return with new episodes tonight after a two-month hiatus because of the ongoing writers' strike. On Friday, "Real Time With Bill Maher" returns on HBO. The Washington Post/Reuters/The Hollywood Reporter (1/6)

• Food Network cooks up programming deal with Alton Brown
  The Food Network has signed Alton Brown to a new three-year deal that will include a new slate of his popular "Good Eats" and "Iron Chef" shows. Additionally, the deal calls for Brown to produce a number of specials and limited series, including the Caribbean-infused "Feasting on Waves." Multichannel News (1/6)

• New Bravo series looks to end bad hair days
  Bravo has given the go-ahead to a pilot for a series about giving hair salons a makeover. The show, tentatively titled "Tabatha's Takeover," will star Tabatha Coffey, who was a former contestant on Bravo's hair-centric "Shear Genius" show. The Hollywood Reporter (1/7)

Powerful Data Access Advances – Free Evaluation Available Access virtually every major format of geographic and business data – with MapInfo Professional v9. Direct access to new data includes CAD formats and expandable data access engine – plus add formats as needed. Save time, effort, unnecessary duplication of data and the headaches around managing multiple data versions. Download your Free Evaluation!

Eye on Video

• Comcast debuts portable DVR
  Comcast will unveil a portable digital video recorder today that will allow viewers to watch their favorite TV shows and movies just about anywhere. The AnyPlay Portable DVR, designed by Panasonic, has an 8.5-inch liquid-crystal monitor and 60 gigabytes of storage. Multichannel News (1/7)

• LG unveils new mobile device with DTV
  LG Electronics on Sunday introduced the Mobile Pedestrian Handheld prototypes capable of playing digital TV that it developed in conjunction with transmitter manufacturer Harris Corp. Broadcasting & Cable (1/6), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (1/7)

Marketing Trends

• Report: Net ads to continue rapid growth this year
  The maturing of the Web industry means the online segment will see continuing growth this year, despite problems with the broader economy, according to an analysis by Peachtree Media Advisors. "Although online advertising is considered a new media format, it engages such a large percentage of younger users that marketers will not endure the risk of eliminating this spend," the report says. Mediaweek (1/7)

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by CTAM SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Sources: Landmark Communications puts Weather Channel up for sale (NYTimes.com)

• Will a federal judge deny an antitrust cable a la carte suit? (Multichannel News)

• Analysis: Cable TV poised for lucrative 2008 (Mediaweek)

• DTV-converter-box coupons now available (ClipSyndicate)

• Cable industry gets ready for torrid HDTV growth (The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.))

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

	The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) The HBO Documentary, I Am An Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA, out on DVD from HBO Video on January 8, 2008, provides an exclusive look at Newkirk's personality and motivations as well as PETA's ideology and often militant tactics, while counterbalancing views with the voices of some of the organization's outspoken critics. Interested in learning more about advertising in CTAM SmartBrief? Contact Mark Lasser at 202-737-5500 x317 or mark.lasser@smartbrief.com.

Advanced Products

• Disney downloads Xbox broadband deal
  The Disney Channel and the ABC Television Group have announced a deal with Microsoft that will bring TV shows and movies from the Disney Channel, Toon Disney, ABC Family, the ABC broadcast network and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to the software maker's Xbox 360 console. The agreement includes more than 500 hours of Disney and ABC content, including Disney Channel hits such as "Hannah Montana" and "High School Musical." Multichannel News (1/6)

• Microsoft to power NBCU's Olympics site with Silverlight
  Microsoft has inked an agreement with NBC Universal to manage a Web site that will showcase live and on-demand videos covering the Beijing Summer Olympics. The Redmond, Wash.-based corporation will use its Silverlight technology to stream videos and other dynamic content on NBCOlympics.com. The Hollywood Reporter (1/7)

Association News

• Want to be listed among cable's top talent?
  Production of the 2008 CTAM Membership Directory, listing all CTAM national members, is under way. Sign up for CTAM membership today and seize the opportunity to be listed among the cable industry's top talent. If you are already a member, go to www.ctam.com to update your listing.

• Summit registration is now open
  Register for the CTAM Summit by Jan. 31 and save up to 20%. This is your opportunity to lock in the lowest available rates. And with no worries, all registrations are transferable. Join the brightest minds in the industry, Nov. 9 to 11 in Boston, to learn from outside business leaders and one another.

Project Manager, Programs and Education The Cable Center Denver, Colorado Director, Affiliate Sales TVN Entertainment Burbank, Ca.

SmartQuote from Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it. One." --Seth (Nicolas Cage) "City of Angels," 1998 Memorable movie quotes brought to you by Warner Bros. Visit us at www.whvdirect.com.