CNM Short Takes

Top Web Properties Visited by CanadiansOn November 29, Richard Stursberg, president of the Canadian Television Fund, presented new numbers to the Spectrum 20/20 conference on the growth of the Internet in Canada. According to this chart, Microsoft leads the pack, and shows steady user acceleration. Internet on rise in 1999, according to StatsCan surveyAt least one member in 42% of Canada’s households, or 4.9 million Canadians, used the Internet regularly at home, work, school or the library in 1999, up from 29% two years ago, according to a report released early this week by Statistics Canada. The figures are based on a survey of the Internet use of 36,241 Canadians. Internet penetration rates increased more among lower-income households than higher-income households, and that growth in Internet use and home connections accelerated the most among people older than 55, according to the survey, entitled Plugging in: The Increase of Household Internet Use Continues in 1999. Nonetheless, according to the survey, only one-tenth of seniors and one-third of those aged 55 to 64 used the Internet regularly compared with more than half of younger households. As well, "households in which the head had a university degree were almost twice as likely to use the Internet than those headed by high school graduates, and four times as likely as those in which the head did not complete high school," the report stated. Internet Multimedia decides on share reversalInternet Multimedia Corp has recommended to its shareholders that its shares be reversed 30 to 1, effective for all shareholders of record as of December 11. The company considers that this reversal is in line with its long-term strategy for growth through acquisitions and growing revenue through contractual sales. Company executives also believe that reducing the number of shares outstanding will help it achieve a listing on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. The board has also approved the changing of the company name to AmEurotech Corp and the appropriate steps are being taken toward this end. Net Nanny reports lower sales figures, ships new versionNet Nanny Software International Inc, Vancouver, has reported a decrease of 62% in revenue for 2001Q1 compared to figures from the previous year’s quarter, dropping from US$122,000 to US$84,000. The company says the decrease in sales was mainly to the deferral of a portion of the licence fees for the upgrade of Net Nanny 4 for those who purchased Version 3.1. It also states that many customers waited for the release of Version 4 before making a purchase, which can also account for the decrease. Now that Version 4 has been shipped to 23 of the top retailers in North America in time for the Christmas blitz, stronger sales should be reflected in the company’s 2001Q2 figures. Immersion Studios selected by museum in AustraliaImmersion Studios has been awarded a contract to install its Interactive Cinema and Group Interactive System in the new Melbourne Museum. Officially opened on October 21, the museum plans to redefine the museum experience by making it more interactive and less passive as traditional museums are presented. Immersion Studios has done similar installations in museums in Boston and Montreal and is currently negotiating major contracts with other museums in the United States and abroad. The new theatre being installed will enable the interactive involvement from viewers through a touch screen set up, says David Anselmi, managing director at Immersion Studios. ZAQ and PowerTV team up for gaming via TVZAQ Inc, Montreal, has signed a letter of intent with PowerTV Inc to market ZAQ’s suite of interactive games to cable operators around the world. Through SofaGAMES, PowerTV offers cable TV subscribers the possibility of enjoying a full suite of games, alone or with other subscribers. According to ZAQ’s president and CEO, Paul Allard, the agreement will enable the company to provide an extensive selection of games to the 17 cable operators that have already adopted PowerTV’s operating system. Operators include Rogers Cable Inc and Cox Communications, among others. PhotoChannel new membership exceeding expectationsPhotoChannel Networks Inc, Vancouver, reports that new member registrations are currently exceeding targeted projections for December. The company also released figures on website hits for version 2.0 of the PhotoChannel website for the month of November. The site registered 20,971,696 hits and 395,786 unique visitors for the month. Version 2.0 was launched in October 2000. Sony Corp releases listen-before-buying CDSony Corp has unveiled a new type of CD that allows consumers to listen to it four times before having to commit to purchasing it. Consumers can buy a restricted play version of a complete album for less than the cost of a single. After deciding if they like the music and want unrestricted playing time for the CD, they can pay to unlock the CD for unlimited play. The new type of CD was developed in conjunction with Microsoft Corp’s digital media division and Reciprocal Inc. Foreplay dics will be available through retailers in February 2001. People still like "real" shopping over web purchasingAccording to an informal poll among Canadian Information Processing Society members in Toronto, 54% planned to use the Internet for Christmas gift research. While the number seems promising, 60% of the respondents said they will still go to the store and pay cash at the register. The top reason for still wanting to go into the "brick and mortar" establishment was that the Internet cannot replace the shopping experience. Lions Gate subsidiary closes fundingMicrosoft Corp has invested for the first time in Lions Gate Entertainment subsidiary CinemaNow Inc. A new round of funding, which includes Microsoft, Blockbuster and Kico was made in the company which is majority-owned by the Canadian film organization. CinemaNow owns the Internet rights to over 800 films from Lions Gate, Trimark Pictures, Avalanche, Allied Artists and others. No details of the funding were announced. Toronto.com all shook upTorstar Corp and Sympatico-Lycos Inc have purchased Ticketmaster-Online Citysearch Inc’s share of toronto.com. The two companies bought Ticketmaster’s 10% share to give each an equal stake in the company. Torstar explained the restructuring as the "decision to change the ownership is a result of a maturing business model and a renewed focus on the objectives of all three parties." No terms for the deal were forthcoming. Dick pounds home IOC Internet messageDick Pound, chair of the International Olympic Committee’s Internet group says unless geographic restrictions on broadcasting the Games can be guaranteed, the IOC will continue to ban real-time video or audio on the ‘Net. Pound was speaking at a conference on sport and new media in Switzerland organized by the IOC last week. Voyageur won’t buy LightroomNorth Vancouver-based Voyageur Film Capital Corp isn’t proceeding with its planned acquisition of LightRoom F/X Inc, also of Vancouver. Company officials haven’t verified certain of LightRoom’s financial representations at the time of the acquisition agreement, and decided not to go ahead with the deal. The company still intends to branch out from its film and television subsidiaries to include new media companies including both interactive broadcast and stand-alone Internet and game properties. In related news, Voyageur has changed its name to Highwire Entertainment Group Inc effective last week. New Zapavision website flirts with controversyTrailervision.com’s latest initiative is a site called Zapavision.com, but the content may have some people up in arms. Calling the site an example of "clickable video", it allows users to punch various characters, including a weatherman, salesman, and singer. Zapavision executives say the site demonstrates a competitive advantage of the web - interactivity. The site was featured on a popular film website which described it as a "hot interactive short that lets you beat the crap out of people." Viewers can decide for themselves at zapavision.com/pointavision (Quicktime 4 is required.) Holiday WishesCanadian NEW MEDIA and Decima Publishing would like to wish its readers a happy and restful holiday season. This will be our last print issue of CNM for 2000, although our online subscribers will receive news updates by email on Dec. 20 and again on January 24. Our next full issue of CNM will be published on Jan. 24.

CNM Short Takes

Broadcast | December 14, 2000

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