Verizon Wireless has begun testing its 4G network in Boston and Seattle. The tests will be Verizon's first off the spectrum it purchased from the FCC. Verizon is scheduled to begin rolling out the technology to consumers next year.
News Corp. is in late stage negotiations with Don Imus to simulcast his program on the Fox Business Network. The Imus in the Morning program would give the struggling Fox Business Network a big and bold name, despite Imus's troubled past. Fox Business Network seems to following in the steps of Fox News, which used talk radio hosts to create it brand and audience.
Jay Leno's first guest on his new show will be NBC mainstay Jerry Seinfeld. The debut of The Jay Leno Show will also feature a rare performance by Jay-z, Kanye West and Rihanna. NBC is hoping that Leno's 10pm show will be as successful as Leno's tenure at The Tonight Show was for the network.
Univision announced that Cesar Conde will be the next President of the Spanish language network. The network is the number one spanish language channel in the US, with a demographic that continues to increase year over year. Conde's mission is to make Univision "the number one broadcast network in the United States, regardless of language, within five years."
Sony's District 9 topped the box office grossing $37 in its opening weekend. The alien film, produced was produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Neil Blomkamp for an estimated $30 million. Earning its cost of production and more in the debut, the picture is a sure hit for Sony for sheer matter that it can only increase revenue for the year.
Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer 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. Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at shelly@palmer.net For information about Get Digital Classes, visit www.shellypalmer.com/seminars