Web technology continues to encroach on traditional media at a rapid pace. While many US newspapers give way to online, television is also being transformed by new technology.

Here are some examples coming out of the US:

TiVo, the ad-skipping, time shifting digital television recording device, is now delivering web video to televisions. Rather than download and watch longer format video on small screens, TiVo allows video to be viewed easily through your television.

TiVo have begun working with YouTube, Amazon, Netflix and over 50 other sources to deliver web video to television. So far TiVo have had over 30 million downloads by 60% of their broadband-connected customers.

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Newcastle TV ratings week 12, 2009

Last week we discussed that it was all about NBN. We’ll deja vu again Newcastle, NBN is not going no where, in fact if it’s going anywhere it’s going up – the ratings that is. NBN is clearing the board again with 8 out 10 ‘Most Watched Programs’ on the leader board and on ‘The Ratings’, almost 10 killing points ahead of Prime, with a 9.8 lead.

Read on for more details:

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National TV ratings week ending 28 March 2009

Source: David Dale, Sun Herald blogs

It was a truly polymorphous push for the hearts and minds of Australia last week, instead of the usual bilateral battle in which Nine starts strongly then gets swamped by Seven. Channel Ten got a boost from the start of the aerial pingpong season in Melbourne, and the ABC revelled in Specks, Gruen and its evening news, which is now regularly ahead of Nine’s. The ABC’s share of the prime time audience — 17 per cent — was its highest for the year, as was Ten’s 23.1 per cent. Seven got 28.6, Nine got 26.1 and SBS got its usual 5.1.

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I am currently in the middle of a month long trip around North America. Its a mix of work and play and it has cost a lot less than you would expect. Why? Because I have used a few clever strategies and a whole lot of web services and technology so that I can work and play and save money.

This post sets out how its possible to work and play overseas for a month or more without neglecting your business or spending too much.

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South by South West (SXSW) is the most significant event of the US digital and interactive conference circuit. It attracts A-List bloggers, the biggest and best tech companies, ambitious start-ups and thousands and thousands of the brightest minds in the online community to Austin, Texas for an amazing week of information, presentations and evening events.

SXSW is an extremely stimulating and almost overwhelming experience. Thousands of people constantly move around the Austin Convention Centre heading to the various panels and presentations. Multiple events are held simultaneously, making it hard to choose which to attend. Many attendees attempt to check out more than one session in an hour, while others follow one event on Twitter whilst attending another.

For many, the greatest value of SXSW is meeting and talking with others they have only previously known online, or holding impromptu doorway meet-ups with so many keen minds.

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Newcastle TV ratings week 12, 2009

Would you call it ‘Needs NBN’ or ‘Lives NBN’… Newcastle goes Nuts over NBN?
Which one would you rather read it off? The ‘Ratings’ itself or the ‘Most Watched Programs’ list?
Where ever you choose, once again you will see NBN at the top. Top of the ratings and all over the top ten shows the Hunter watched for last week. NBN had the top 10 list filled with 8 of its programs. The only other programs to make a glimpse on the list was good old ABC with Spicks and Specs and just making the cut, Find My Family for Prime. What is going on? What is NBN doing that the other stations seem to not be?
NBN stands for “Newcastle’s Basic Need”. Have a look for yourself:

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National TV ratings week ending 21 March 2009

Source: David Dale, Sun Herald blogs

Channel Seven won the week, averaging 28.5 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine got 26.7 per cent (thanks to U2 and Customs), Ten 22.7 (thanks to dancers and NCIS), ABC 16.8 (Thanks to Specks and Gruen) and SBS 5.3 (thanks to Top Gear). With Packed To The Rafters taking a break for a few months, Seven may have trouble holding its lead next week.

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Newcastle TV ratings week 11, 2009

They try and sell to us in this economic crisis to stay in and save by watching more TV. According to last weeks ratings, what Newcastle did was stay in and watch anything to do with crime. It seems the Hunter is a little obsessed with crime on our local streets or frankly on anyone’s streets. In the most watched programs leader board for last week, lists the first top 7 shows as crime related. As for cute little distressed animals, farmers falling in love and families finding each other…well it seems we were not that interested last week.

As for the numbers game for the ratings… well I just don’t get it. Take the ratings nationally, Seven is kicking Nine’s hiney. Although in Newcastle, Prime has absolutely no chance of even sneaking a peak at the number one prize?? How odd..

Read on to see the full results:

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National TV ratings week ending 14 March 2009

Source: David Dale, Sun Herald blogs

Having two hit shows is not enough. Underbelly wins Monday night for Nine, and Two and a Half Men performs well every night, but Seven has fallen into the comfortable pattern of averaging 29.4 per cent of the prime time audience, while Nine manages 27.8, Ten 21.5, ABC 16.0 and SBS 5.3. The only difference this week will be a rise for the ABC, thanks to the arrival of The Gruen Transfer. Lets call it now: Nine is stuffed for the year.

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SXSW is as famous for its parties as much as its tech-set meetings. Official parties, unofficial parties and impromptu parties are breaking out all over a town that really knows how to party.

Here’s some of the action:

Craig Wilson & Guy Kawasaki at The Driskell during SXSW

Partying at Speakeasy in downtown Austin for SXSW