NBC took in $206 million on ad sales during the Super Bowl. With spots selling for $3 million, Jeff Zucker noted that NBC's ability to sell out its ad spots is "a testament to the dogged determination of Seth Winter [SVP, Sales & Marketing, NBC Sports]." The network took in $260 million total, including pre and post game ads.
Verizon may get $1.6 billion from the Senate Stimulus Plan to help subsidize a robust high-speed broadband network. The bill includes tax credits for company's willing to make investments in bringing broadband to poor neighborhoods, rural areas and places lacking high speed Internet service providers.
Sirius XM is looking for a way to handle $174.6 million in debt due on February 17th. The satellite radio company's stock fell from around $3 a year ago and is currently trading at $0.12. The company recently increased subscriber rates and began charging for its online-service, which had been free for subscribers, in hopes of increasing revenue.
Facebook may have a new way of generating revenue. According to the Telegraph, the social networking site plans to offer its users as market research tools for corporations. The system will work through Facebook's Engagement Ads, which pose questions and are able to receive feedback in real time. While Engagement Ads are not new, Facebook hopes the latest tweaks to the system will make the ads an alternative to focus groups for businesses.
Plus, today's consulting question, "Are Adobe and Apple really collaborating on flash for the iPhone?" 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