> Canadian multimedia behemoth Rogers Communications wants the Canadian government to go ahead and hold a 700 MHz wireless spectrum auction next year, even though the last auction was held just two years ago. "There's talk of it being deferred. We'd obviously like to see it stay on course," said CEO Nadir Mohammad. Other cable operators, including Shaw Communications and the Bragg Group are also expected to bid on the spectrum. Story.
> Openet has expanded its subscriber data management (SDM) system to better help network operators measure audiences across all the platforms within their networks by providing data on subscriber activities across linear and non-linear viewing streams. Story.
> Sony could be making a move on the Smart TV market with Intel Atom-powered TVs that would run Google's Android operating system, according to word on the Web. If something happens, look for it at Google I/O 2010 May 19-20. Blog.
> Only 18 years--give or take a few months--since John Malone announced the "500 channel" TV universe, Nielsen has withdrawn its "TV Channels Receivable" reporting service which showed how many channels an average TV household gets. "With nearly two thirds of all homes receiving multichannel digital service today--either through digital cable, telco or DBS--there is no consistent means of measuring how many programming sources are available to homes," said a Nielsen statement. Story.
> Clearleap has developed what it calls a "Web-like user interface" to give cable, IPTV and satellite subscribers a continuous viewing experience for short form VoD programming by generating pre-populated play lists from VoD libraries and having the video segments stream in a linear fashion. News release.
> Newspapers are hurting, music has hit a sour note and book publishers are afraid to turn another page for fear of what's there, but TV "seems to be doing rather well" according to an upbeat report in The Economist. Story.