Intel's revenue for the fourth quarter fell 23% over last year. Intel had warned investors that revenue for the fourth quarter would be down, however, the chip manufacturer still fell short of its predicted forecast of $8.7-9.3 billion, down from an earlier prediction of $10.1-10.9 billion.
The Consumers Union has asked the House Energy and Commerce Committee to delay February 17 deadline for the digital television transition. A letter to soon-to-be head of the committee Henry Waxman asked to delay the transition "until a plan is in place to minimize the number of consumers who will lose TV signals, particularly by fixing the flaws in the federal coupon program created to offset the cost of this transition." The letter came on news that thousands of converter box coupon recipients would be added to a waiting list due to a lack of funding.
Time Warner will record a $25 billion impairment charge for the fourth quarter. The loss stems from a decrease in value of Time Warner Cable, AOL, and its publishing division. The write off is expected to result in Time Warner taking a net loss for 2008.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced that Windows 7 may come before the end of the year. Microsoft released a test version of Windows 7 to developers yesterday, with other interested parties expected to get the beta version on Friday.
Earlier this week Oprah confessed that she was depressed and had been over eating. Her sentiment resonated with viewers and scored a 5.7 rating with a 13 share. The confessional was the third highest rated episode this season.
Plus, today's consulting question, "Why are you picking on Jeremy Piven. Mercury poisoning is very serious?" Shelly has the answer on today's MediaBytes.
Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV (2008, York House Press). Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, NY (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards). You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net