Hypebot’s New Music Business Briefing For Monday February 12th, 2007

>>> Today Viacom is expected to announce 300 jobs cut at MTV
Networks (the NY Post puts the number at 500) designed to improve margins and channel more
resources towards its growing digital operations. And we hear that the EMI cuts are not over.

>>>  MySpace is offering free software tools that allow labels and other media companies to block unauthorized uploading of video
clips expanding a program to block unauthorized
music.  The move trumps YouTube who is coming increasingly under fire for not moving fast enough to filter content.

>>> Much of the digital music action shifts this week to Barcelona where a huge cell phone convention seems most focused on adding content as a way of differentiating providers.

>>> The UK’s Omnifone is unveiling MusicStation offering unlimited over the air downloads in Europe and Asia from a variety of labels including Universal for a flat  $3.88.

>>> AT&T is adding Music Choice‘s channels to it’s growing digital TV service.

>>>  YouTube has signed a deal
with Digital Music Group to show classic shows like Gumby and I Spy and promised to do a better job of filtering content from DMG’s catalog.

>>> We know its not cool to care, but we also know you’re curious; so a full list of this year’s Grammy winners is here.