N. Y. Times to Charge for Frequent Access to Its Web Site

The internet can't remain free. An advertising only business doesn't seem to be enough to carry a business. Broadcast needs license fees to augment is ad model and so do newspapers and magazines. And so, in a not so surprising move, will start to charge for viewing content. "Starting in January 2011, a visitor to NYTimes.com will be allowed to view a certain number of articles free each month; to read more, the reader must pay a flat fee for unlimited access. Subscribers to the print newspaper, even those who subscribe only to the Sunday paper, will receive full access to the site without any additional charge."

The Wall Street Journal was the first down this path and have successfully retained its subscriber model by offering web access with print. The NYT has been watching and is following suit. The question is who is next to follow, USA Today, NY Post? This is he beginning of change, more and more content will be going behind subscription walls.

Hello XBox, Goodbye Set Top Box

Not a fan of your cable company and its set top box. Be patient, change is a coming. Gamers, with access to XBox Live may soon be able to ditch their cable for programming through their game system. Xbox already enables movies on demand via Netflix and other apps, and is now starting to do deals to get cable programming directly.

"They want Xbox to be seen not merely as a gaming machine for teenagers, but as a media portal for parents and grandparents, too. The company is even producing shows for users: it is in the middle of the second season of '1 vs. 100,' an interactive version of a game show that was on NBC. The content ambitions do not end there. Microsoft has held in-depth talks with the Walt Disney Company about a programming deal with ESPN, according to people close to the talks, who requested anonymity because the talks were intended to be private....Similarly, users of the Sony PlayStation can tune into BBC shows and see Weather Channel updates, as well as stream Netflix. Last week, Netflix extended its streaming service to the Nintendo Wii."

Who needs a DVR when everything is accessible on demand. Even so, adding DVR capabilities to the XBox and enable access via antenna for broadcast programming and say so long to your cable subscription. Cable's loss will be Microsoft's gain.

The Tonight Show Is No Longer "The Tonight Show"

In Bill Carter's book, The Late Shift, written more than 15 years ago, he followed the trail of Leno and Letterman and how NBC poorly managed the changing of the hosts. Unfortunately, history seems to have repeated itself. We find ourselves with another debacle caused by NBC's handling of a shifting of hosts from Leno to Conan. And NBC keeps tripping over itself, including Dick Ebersol's unnecessary remarks about Conan.

Back when Johnny Carson was being forced out of The Tonight Show by NBC and Leno was being groomed as the successor, Dave Letterman was then the guy pushed out. Obviously, Dave survived and in fact blossomed in his new role at CBS. But a comment that Carson said to Letterman still seems to resonate. He told Dave that the Tonight Show after him would never have the cache it once had. With Leno scheduled to be at the helm, it would never be the same. Carson said to Letterman to make your new show that next piece of TV history. And Carson was right. The Tonight Show no longer represented the golden age of TV and Letterman has done well.

And today we seem to have deja vu all over again. NBC has made a mess and one host will find himself without a gig on their air. The Tonight Show's storied history has been smudged once again and it's future remains depressed. Can it be fixed. Eventually yes. But bringing Jay back is not really a fix, simply a bandaid. Is there more to this story, most likely yes. Perhaps we need Bill Carter to wrote The Late Shift, Part II, to get the fuller picture.

Jay In, Conan Out; NBC Going In Wrong Direction

Talk about not getting a fair chance. Jay had terrific programming in the 10pm hour to help push the Tonight Show. Conan had The Jay Leno Show. Why should audiences turn the channel back to NBC after being forced to turn it off at 10PM. So Conan ratings suffered.

But NBC believes that bring Jay back to 11:30 will also return it to its former ratings glory. "The Washington Post reported yesterday that barring a last-minute change of heart by O'Brien, Leno would return to his old job." Wrong. You can't have a do-over. Returning Jay to the Tonight Show is not the solution. So then what. You have lost Conan and you have lost the Tonight Show.

Rather, NBC should say goodbye to Jay like they planned to do 5 years ago. Put better programming at 10PM and let Conan and his Tonight Show grow back its ratings. The future is Conan, the past is Jay. It's obvious which way NBC should go, but as they continue to make mistakes, it is only natural to see them pick the wrong choice, AGAIN. NBC screwed with "Must See Thursdays", they screwed up with 10 PM, and they screwed up with the Tonight Show. Not a winning record.

So goodbye Conan. Perhaps once NBC gets a new owner, it can finally return to its former glory.

Conan O'Brien Statement: I Will Not Follow Jay At 12:05

Conan takes the high road. If only NBC would do the same. Here is a copy of Conan O'Brien's letter:

"People of Earth:


In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.

Yours,

Conan"

Using Xbox As IPTV Set-Top

Tired of your setbox that controls your cabl TV. Wish it were more responsive and easier to navigate. Like how your gaming devices work. Why not use your gaming device to watch TV.

Microsoft's XBOX and AT&T's U-Verse are working together to make that a reality. No set top box, just the X box and access to all linear and interactive applications on cable. "With the feature, customers 'will be able to watch U-verse TV programming, including live, on-demand, HD and total-home DVR content, on their Xbox receiver,' AT&T spokeswoman Jenny Bridges said. 'The Xbox will enable the same viewing experience and same features that customers get today with a U-verse receiver.'"

For the younger demo comfortable with the XBox controller, it is much easier to use than the remote. In fact it allows easier movement across the entire screen unlike the remote's toggle like capabilities. In fact, the controller is a better device for the TV set. If I were on U-Verse, I would absolutely switch out my set top.

Cable companies, are you paying any attention to this or are you stuck in the 90's.

Leno Done At 10 PM; Should Start A Saturday Night Show

I predicted it in my blog November 30 and indeed my prediction came true. Leno at 10 is cancelled. Remember 5 years ago, NBC wanted Jay Leno out of the Tonight Show and away from 11:30 PM. NBC didn't want Leno to go to the competition. The solution, give him a10PM show, build cheap programming, and save money. What NBC didn't predict was that their local affiliates would complain because the 11PM new ratings would also suffer. So now they want to admit their mistake and return Jay to 11:30PM. The problem is that Conan is there and bringing Jay back won't bring back earlier rating success. The answer for Jay Leno is NOT a do-over.

The answer is to keep Conan at 11:30PM and move The Jay Leno Show to Saturday from 9 - 11PM. Turn his show into a comedy, variety, talk show. Currently, Saturday night is filled with repeats so a fresh show can only improve ratings that night. Perhaps consider moving Jay's show to Vegas and visit some of the great acts and personalities that fill the strip. Jay could become the next great host. But Jay has to update his act. Having watched comedy bits from his show, Jay is getting low brow, with too many sexual references, not acceptable for prime time. He needs to clean up the act. And a Saturday Night show could be the best solution for all.

NBC seems to want to go backwards and that won't work. Jay won't regain earlier ratings; that magic is lost. And letting Conan leave the network to move to Fox only starts competition that you were trying to avoid by keeping Jay in the first place. And Jimmy Fallon is your future so you don't want to screw that up either.

NBC has dug itself into a hole. The Saturday night show for Jay (or Conan) is the solution; a half hour Jay show from 11:30 PM to 12 is not. Get it right

Panasonic CTO: We Need 3DTV To Pull Out Of Slump

First of all, CES is one of the biggest shows I've ever attended. The variety of products being shown seems endless. And 3D seems to be a major announcement for both TV manufacturers and cable programmers. From Panasonic to Sony and Sharp, ESPN, Discovery, and others, 3D is the future of consumer in home entertainment. I disagree.

While it may be great for theatrical events like Avatar, it is less necessary for other programming. DO I really need to see The Biggest Loser in 3D! It's biggest stumbling block remains the glasses required to watch the shows. Cool at first, the glasses are a major drawback. My own kids take them off after a short while because they tend to be uncomfortable. The result, the unaided eye sees a blurry picture.

One day 3D will matter, but for the next 5 or more years, I see it limited to movie houses. What is more pressing in the home is a high speed connection to the TV enabling IP provided programming to reach the screen. As cable programming becomes more expensive, consumers will move their viewing habits to the internet for an a la carte programming experience.

And before 3D hits the home, the other service consumers will demand first is TV Everywhere. Microsoft has enabled it through their software in conjunction with AT&T. Sling is out there as well with the ability to move programming to other devices, too. TV Everywhere seems more appealing in the near future than 3D for the consumer.

Lastly, what was most interesting, perhaps even disturbing, was that the Consumer Electronic Show lacked a cable showcase. NBC was there, but no other programming. No Operators at all. No Comcast, No Time Warner, no one. The cable industry has tried to operate separate from the manufacturers and it seems that it will eventually be at cable's loss. Why aren't manufacturers touting cablecard devices integrated into their TV sets? Who should we blame? It seems cable. TV manufacturers are going around the cable operators with internet connections, not cable, and the operator will end up be on the losing end.

Dolan To Programmers: Don't Price Yourself Out of Business

Jim Dolan has some advice for cable programmers (Scripps are you listening). He says that "huge affiliate fee increases are running the risk of pricing themselves out of business..." And Dolan my be partly right; greed can become a real killer to a marketplace. As consumers get fed up, they seek alternatives.

An example is the DVR. As programmers put too many ads in their programming schedule, consumers discovered that by time shifting programming, they could also fast forward through the ads. Raising programming fees will lead to new solutions. And one might be bypassing the cable operator. If Cablevision takes programming off their line-up, the consumer may find they can access the same programming directly through the web. No programming fees, but no more negotiation hassles either. The programmer will deal directly with the consumer.

TVs are becoming IP connected, consumers are watching more and more from web sites like Hulu, TV.com and others. And consumers are dropping cable subscriptions for other programming connections. So yes Jim, programming could be hurt by drop of their programming on your cable line-up, but cable operators could be hurt AS WELL. As your partnerships between programming and distribution disintegrates, consumers will move to the safer ground of web based programming. And you both lose subscription revenue.