MTV

Revolution 9/9/09: Beatles coming to 'Rock Band' this fall

We knew the music of the Beatles was coming to the MTV video game Rock Band, but now we have a release date: September 9, 2009. That's when you'll be able to get The Beatles: Rock Band, a new edition of the game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii consoles. You can start working on your bad "lonely hearts club band" puns now.

The game itself will retail for $59.99 in the U.S.; there will also be a $99.99 version that comes with Beatles-inspired guitar controllers, and a $249.99 "… Read more

Viacom to shut off MTV music video API

Media giant Viacom plans to restrict the embedding of music videos from MTV Networks.

Justin Tormey, a staff member for MTVN developer services, announced in a blog posting Friday that starting next month, the company would no longer make video embeds available through MTV's API:

We've got a number of changes coming on the MTVN Content API. If you're currently using the API for your site or application please take note of the changes and the timeline.

First, we want to thank everyone for their involvement with the API. You've provided valuable feedback and insight through … Read more

The 404 256: Where we celebrate good juju, bad juju

If you were wondering why our past two shows have been so squeaky clean, rest assured that our third day broadcasting live from the CNET stage at CES 2009 is definitely when we get back into the nasty groove. Today's show is filled with more goofy and perverted gadgets from the showroom floor, Watchmen movie news, idiots bandits, and another appearance from Ms. Heavenly Tech! Spicyyyyy

Be sure to catch us live again tomorrow from the CNET stage at 5 p.m. Pacific Time.

EPISODE 256 Download today's podcast

Boxee plugs into Joost, MTV Music

Boxee, one of the more promising media applications out there today, is announcing the launch of a few new content sources today at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Boxee now has added support for content from Joost and MTV Music. Joost is bringing its usual assortment of video content to the table, while MTV provides a huge amount of music videos. In the United Kingdom, Boxee has also added the BBC's popular iPlayer to its arsenal of content.

In addition, Boxee will be totally opening up its Mac, Linux, and Apple TV alphas to anyone who wants to sign up. … Read more

Viacom lays off 7 percent of workforce

Update at 7:59 a.m. PST: A RealNetworks representative quashes a rumor about a RealNetworks-MTV joint venture.

The long-expected layoffs at Viacom, parent company of MTV Networks, have finally taken place.

According to an internal memo (first leaked to gossip blog Gawker), 850 positions have been cut. That amounts to 7 percent of the company's workforce.

"Our advantages and best efforts can't completely protect Viacom from the very serious and broad-based challenges of this economic recession," CEO Philippe Dauman wrote in the e-mail. "Viacom's long-term health will depend on our shared commitment to … Read more

MTV Networks plucks eJamming collaboration software

eJamming, a service that provides musicians with collaboration technology to help them form bands or work on songs together, said Tuesday it has formed a partnership with the MTV Networks Music Group.

The licensing agreement will allow the MTV Networks Music Group to use eJamming Audiio software for any future projects. According to MTVN, the software could be used in virtual worlds and new music sites.

The decision to use eJamming's collaboration tool makes sense. MTVN caters to people who care about music, and with the help of eJamming's Audiio, it can help them form a band, learn … Read more

Courtney Holt named MySpace Music's new leader

MySpace Music, the digital music service for the News Corp's social network, has finally named a leader.

As first reported by CNET News on Friday, MySpace Music has hired Courtney Holt, an MTV exec and a longtime digital music veteran as president of the digital music service, the company said Tuesday.

Holt is expected to start work on January 5, the company said in a statement. MySpace Music went through a long process to hire a chief, with at least one candidate backing out at the last minute.

"Courtney understands how to successfully blend technology with music and … Read more

MySpace Music to name Courtney Holt chief next week

Courtney Holt, an MTV executive, will be named as president of MySpace Music, possibly as early as Monday, according to a source close to the company.

MySpace Music is the digital music service formed by News Corp. and the four largest recording companies. Some observers say that MySpace, with a well-established history of offering music, could emerge as a competitor to Apple's iTunes.

CNET News first reported that Holt was offered the job last month. He has long been a fixture at the intersection of digital technology and music. Currently, he is MTV Networks' executive vice president of digital … Read more

Facebook, Google, others sponsor youth activism summit

Facebook, Google, and the Google-owned YouTube are among the sponsors for the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit, an event taking place at New York's Columbia Law School from December 3-5.

Along with other collaborators--which include the U.S. Department of State, MTV, Access 360 Media, and start-up Howcast--the event hopes to "find (the) best ways to use digital media to promote freedom and justice, and counter violence, extremism, and oppression."

The companies have amassed 17 leaders of different activist groups and hope to bring them together to come up with a common set of principles and … Read more