Yahoo's Stock Up On Rumors of Microsoft Talks: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer October 17, 2008

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Yahoo's stock rose sharply yesterday after rumors that Microsoft was once again interested purchasing it. Yahoo's stock was up over 20%, bring it to $12.99. However, a spokesperson from Redmond said "Our position hasn't changed. Microsoft has no interest in acquiring Yahoo; there are no discussions between the companies."

Google's profit climbed 26% in the third quarter. The search giant reported $1.35 billion in net income from $1.07 in the third quarter of 2007. The report pushed Google's stock back over $350.

SNL once again brought Weekend Update to Primetime for another Election Special. Last night's episode featured a reinterpretation of the Joe the Plumber debate. Well, it turns out that the real Joe the Plumber, Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, isn't even a licensed plumber.

Facebook is in talks with a number of streaming music companies about integrating their players into the Facebook platform. The talks come less than a month after MySpace launched its MySpace Music initiative. While MySpace has always been more friendly to musicians, Facebook's was forced to drop its Audio component in 2007 after complaints of copyright infringement.

Plus, today's consulting question, "Will AMC renew Mad Men?" 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 [e-mail]