TVover.net is giving away 1 free CONNECTIONS
2008 pass to the first reader that emails us at media@tvover.net with
name, email, company, address and phone number.

CONNECTIONS: The Digital Living Conference and Showcase, hosted by leading research
firm Parks Associates in partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA),
is the premier executive event focused on the market developments and growth factors
for advanced digital lifestyle solutions. For twelve years, the following industries
have participated at CONNECTIONS: new media, digital entertainment and gaming, home
networks, Internet and television services, software and middleware, digital health,
mobile applications and services, consumer electronics, and home control systems and
security.

For more information about CONNECTIONS 2008, visit http://www.connectionsconference.com.

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TVover.net to Give Away Free Pass for CONNECTIONS 2008

Clay Shirky, author of Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, has posted on what he calls the “social surplus” or the time we gain by participating in the culture versus just sitting back and watching it pass by pursuing activities like watching TV.
Clay specifically cites TV, and singles outs sitcoms, [...]

Gin, Television and Social Surplus

NXP
Semiconductors will acquire the Broadband Media Processing business of Conexant
System. With this transaction, NXP’s existing set-top box and digital TV operations
will be combined with Conexant’s BMP business. The combined operations will create
a top three player in digital video systems with the scale to establish a strong leadership
position. The deal represents NXP’s fourth acquisition since independence and is the
first for its Home Business Unit.

Conexant’s BMP business, which provides industry-leading solutions for satellite,
cable and IPTV applications, accounted for US $205 million in revenue in 2007. Under
the terms of the deal, NXP will pay Conexant US $110 million in cash up front, and
additional consideration of up to US $35 million based on achievement of certain revenue
milestones over the period from closing through 2009.

Conexant’s strengths in broadcast operator STB solutions are complementary to NXP’s
terrestrial IP and retail STB and Digital TV products. Combined, they will offer the
widest semiconductor portfolio for STB and digital TV applications in the industry,
creating a unique technology source for developing digital video applications: innovative
IC solutions for receiving more digital content in terrestrial, cable, satellite and
IPTV broadcast environments with best in class picture and sound quality, anytime,
anywhere in the home.

When the transaction closes, approximately 700 Conexant employees at locations in
the United States, India, Northern Ireland, Israel and China will join NXP’s Home
Business Unit. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory
approvals, and is expected to close in the next 60 days.

Conexant’s BMP business being acquired by NXP offers a comprehensive suite of digital
STB components and system solutions for worldwide satellite, cable and IP entertainment
broadcasting networks. The company’s product offering includes silicon tuners, demodulators,
MPEG audio and video decoders, and DOCSIS modems. Complete reference designs that
help manufacturers reduce cost and speed time-to-market are also available, bundled
with a range of operating systems, middleware, drivers and development tools.

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Warner
Bros. unveiled two new broadband destinations and other key components of its multiplatform
digital media business strategy at a New York press conference. The announcements,
made by Bruce Rosenblum, President, Warner Bros. Television Group, include:

• The launch of TheWB.com,
  a premium, ad-supported, video-on-demand, interactive and personalized network
• The launch of KidsWB.com (formerly
  referred to as T-Works), a premium, ad-supported destination built around youth-oriented,
  immersive entertainment
• Advertiser support: Charter advertising and promotional partners include Mattel, McDonald’s
  and Johnson & Johnson
• Distribution and marketing partners: Inaugural partners will include Comcast Cable,
  Fancast.com, AOL, a number of mobile carriers, and many more. Additionally, WBTVG
  has created an application on Facebook Platform for TheWB.com which will allow seamless
  integration of Facebook’s social utility on TheWB.com, and TheWB.com’s entertainment
  content on Facebook.
• Essence: Rosenblum also elaborated on another cross-divisional initiative, the multiplatform
  partnership between WBTVG and Time Inc.’s Essence Communications, previously announced
  April 21.

Scheduled to Beta launch in early May with a wide launch planned for the end of August,
TheWB.com will target Adults 16–34 and feature the re-release of a collection of The
WB Network’s most popular series and other successful programming, as well as original
series created specifically for TheWB.com.

Designed for children aged 6–12, KidsWB.com marks the first time that characters from
across all of the Studio’s libraries of iconic animated properties – including Warner
Bros. Animation, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics – have been assembled in
a single online destination where they can interact with their next generation of
fans. KidsWB.com will feature a wealth of classic, original and contemporary animated
programming from some of the industry’s most acclaimed creators, along with more than
100 animation-themed games.

These announcements follow the April 21 news that Time Inc.’s Essence Communications
would be teaming up with WBTVG on a series of initiatives that will expand the Essence
brand across a number of platforms, including the Internet and television. One of
the first projects to come from the new, cross-divisional collaboration is the late
summer relaunch of an expansive new web destination at Essence.com – created in partnership
with WBTVG’s Telepictures Productions – which aims to be the ultimate online destination
for African-American women.

In addition to the expansion of Essence.com,
Telepictures will work to develop content based upon the Essence brand for both television
and original digital programming for broadband. The first project to result will be
“Extra on Essence,”an original digital series for Essence.com hosted by Tanika Ray,
correspondent and weekend co-anchor of the daily entertainment news magazine program
“Extra.” Additionally, the relationship will include the print edition of the magazine,
with “Extra”contributing news that will be featured in Essence magazine’s entertainment
section on a regular basis.

Also highlighted were the latest developments at another WBTVG digital venture, MomLogic.com.
The ultimate online destination and community for moms of all ages, MomLogic.com has
introduced a series of new customization and personalization features which allow
users to access the content that most pertains to them based on their different stages
of parenting and ages of their children.

Excerpt from:
TheWB.com will Play Full Episodes of Friends and Smallville

KyLinTV announces
Macau Asia Satellite TV, MASTV, will debut for the first time in North America on
KyLinTV and provide more international content to its Asian audience. MASTV offers
quality programming on news, global finance, world events, entertainment, cultural
shows sports and more. The news programs cover reports from Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
China and international topics. MASTV also offers Mandarin dramas and Korean variety
shows.

As the first television channel from Macau available on KyLinTV, MASTV focuses on
promoting the prosperity and peace of the worldwide Chinese community. This mission
mirrors KyLinTV’s goal to encourage Chinese culture and language through the use of
IPTV technology.

Due to unrestricted channel capacity and no geographic boundaries, IPTV allows an
unlimited amount of programming to reach viewers worldwide. KyLinTV plans to rollout
several more channels in the coming months.

More here:
MASTV Joins North American Chinese IPTV Schedule