19 Feb 10 CBS promises to sell some TV shows on iTunes for 99 cents

We'd already heard that Apple hoped to bring at least some TV shows down to the 99-cent mark on iTunes in time for the iPad launch, and it looks like CBS is now the first to officially come on board. While a final deal apparently isn't done just yet, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves has flatly told the Financial Times that there "are certain shows that will be sold on Apple for 99 cents" -- not exactly much wiggle room there. Other networks aren't speaking on the record just yet, but the Financial Times has previously reported that some have already agreed to similar terms, and are expected to start selling shows at the lower price -- possibly coinciding with the iPad launch.

Update: Peter Kafka at All Things Digital has some more info on this -- sources tell him Moonves was speaking off the cuff, and while CBS is open to a deal with Apple, there's nothing in place quite yet. Unfortunately, no one's going on the record here, so the situation remains hazy -- we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

CBS promises to sell some TV shows on iTunes for 99 cents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagi: peter kafka, wiggle room, ilounge, promes, fri, financial times, launch, itunes, cbs, ace, ceo

06 May 10 CBS and CNN Could Be Making News Together

crimeandpunishment writes "More proof of the profound impact cable, the Internet, and other outlets have had on broadcast news organizations. CBS and CNN, who have danced around the idea of a partnership for years, may be ready to move forward. Both news organizations have a lot at stake. Broadcast network news has a gloomy financial outlook, and CNN's ratings need a jump-start."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Tagi: broadcast network, broadcast news, financial outlook, profound impact, slashdot, cnn, network news, jump start, cbs, partnership

31 May 10 Apple rumored to begin paying Foxconn employees direct wages

Chinese website Zol -- which is owned by CBS Interactive -- is reporting that Apple may be moving toward a model of paying Foxconn employees direct subsidies, in the form of small percentages of of the profits from whatever product line they work on. It's also interesting to note that the report claims that Apple has looked into the situation, and found that the general unhappiness of the workers and the recent spate of suicides could be attributed to low wages. The report says that Apple -- which apparently pays Foxconn 2.3 percent of the final retail price for a given product -- will pay an additional amount directly to the workers, which would give a significant boost to the roughly $132 they're currently pulling in per month. The actual payout numbers we're hearing -- around 1 to 2 percent of a retail price of the products manufactured -- don't exactly make sense so we're hoping to get clarification as to the breakdown if the rumor turns out to be true. The report also states that the iPad production line will be the first to benefit from the scheme. We have asked Apple for comment and will update if and when we hear back.

Apple rumored to begin paying Foxconn employees direct wages originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 May 2010 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tagi: chinese website, zol, spate, unhappiness, suicides, wages, percentages, gadget, retail price, subsidies, profits, cbs, nbsp, apple