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JAJAH TV

OK, I've been blathering about this for a long time ... the Web-based newsroom of the future will include live streaming, and all businesses will become broadcasters. Today our client JAJAH took a bold (yet fun) step in that direction. With the help of uber smart-and-funny producer Rainer Cvillink, JAJAH has designed a simple global newsroom for

*live announcements (with multiple "correspondents")

*JAJAH-produced videos

*customer-produced videos

The platform is Mogulus, which enables businesses to build their own distributed, global news studios. It's like Ustream (I am a big fan of that service, too), but with studio-like controls. Check it out ... there's more to come. This is just version 1.0.

Oh, btw ...the first "programming" for the show will focus on the "no headset" campaign. What's that about? Visit the site to find out.

Eddie Murphy: Hot Tub!

OK, I've been away from my blog for way too much time. You'll learn why soon. But in the meantime, I'm dipping my toe back in the water. Reminds me of one of my favorite SNL bits. Another tribute to the late great James Brown.

James Brown: Sunny

If this doesn't cheer you up ....

Justin.tv

Perhaps you heard about this. Justin, a twenty-something based in San Francisco, is running a 24/7 live video feed of his entire life. "Even in the bathroom. Even on a date." It's day nine, and already he's a celebrity.

Valleywag has a great post.

NewTube PR

This is a big announcement -- NBC and News Corp are teaming up to provide what they call "the largest Internet video distribution network ever assembled with the most sought-after content from television and film." But is NewTube, as the wags are calling it, really prepared to compete with YouTube? As a PR guy, I am interested in both the hype and reality in this story. What's most striking to me is the force with which this story is being told. Clearly, the empire wants to strike back.

UPDATE: See Mike Arrington's post, criticizing the messaging in this campaign:

Today was just a placeholder announcement for this yet-to-be-named company, and more details will certainly emerge soon that could show this in a new light. But for now, Google/Youtube, who have been referring to the project as Clown Co. privately, doesn’t look to be in any trouble. Without a name, a lot of the press today was wasted. My recommendation to interim head George Kliavkoff: name this thing fast, before “Clown Co.” becomes more than just an inside joke at Google.

Walt Mossberg and Katie Boehret Review Apple TV

They like it. I'm visiting the Apple Store tomorrow.

Will Apple TV Accelerate Corporate Video?

Basta with the iPhone. Rumor has it that Apple will soon release (maybe tomorrow) Apple TV, a set-top box that the company says will enable you to transfer video content from your home computer to your TV. IBD has a very good story:

Apple TV is a big deal for the consumer electronics industry, says Tim Bajarin, an analyst with the research firm Creative Strategies.

"It will be the first product that really gets the mainstream consumer interested in moving PC content to the television for viewing on a TV set," Bajarin said. Other devices can do that today, but Apple has shown an ability to make simple, easy-to-use products.

I will probably try out the system. The price point is right, and I am betting it will be easy enough for everyone in my home to use. Lots of good content on the Web, and we are liking it more and more. First thing we will try streaming: Sarah Silverman, directly from iTunes (we love the reruns).

But long term, things get even more interesting: more businesses will create video podcasts. The idea that video content can easily play in the digital living room ... very, very seductive.

See also: Apple Insider.

Live TV on Your Google Page

from Steve Rubel:

This is really cool and a sign of where things are going. Just add this widget to your personalized Google home page and you can watch live updates from CNN and other networks.

Very nice.

Is Ira Glass Ready for His Close Up?

It took me a while, but over the past few months I've become a fan of This American Life, the weekly public radio show "devoted the art of oral storytelling (in the words of The New York Times). One thing that made this happen for me was the recent purchase of an iPod, which I have been taking on my many business trips. Radio has always been a more intimate medium than television, and the iPod, of course, is even more intimate.

Now I hear that the show will begin running in a TV format on Showtime, starting March 22. There's a great profile of host Ira Glass in this week's New York Times Magazine. Big question: will Ira and his show translate well to the TV screen? Sure hope so. The only thing I like these days is The Sarah Silverman Program.

Photo credit: Christian Oth, New York Times.