Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has begun its annual run at Lincoln Center, and several industry firsts will be on display — including a live stream of every runway show and video on-demand provided by Rightster and IMG Fashion.

"We constantly look to provide innovative solutions for designers to connect with buyers, press and consumers around the globe,” said Peter Levy, senior vice president of IMG Fashion Worldwide Events and Properties. “Our extended partnership with Rightster will allow us to bring the rich content live from the runways to fans and media who support the event, opening the doors for designers worldwide.” 

Last year, IMG Fashion and Rightster’s distribution of live streamed shows brought a 165% increase in viewership.Continue reading...

ABC edges out NBC in the morning.

AOL pushes to grab TV-ad dollars.

Apple loses luster on its shares.

Audi set to buy Ducati, Bloomberg reports.

BlackBerry store sits as quiet marker of RIM failed strategy.

Coca-Cola profit beats estimates.

Coty says it has lined up capital for Avon bid.Continue reading...

It was personal (and politicized, media-savvy) brand vs. brand this week, as Meghan McCain and Glenn Beck clashed.

A PSA for the Comcast-owned Style Network about skin cancer was released this week, featuring some pretty well-known celebrities such as Brandy, Ashlan Gorse, Cacee Cobb, Danielle Fishel, Tempest Bledsoe, Jen Proske, Tatyana Ali, and the big star of the video, John McCain's outspoken daughter, Meghan McCain.

The idea behind the PSA was to show all these girls "naked" (as far as the viewer could see) talking about what they've done "naked" — meaning without sunscreen. The voiceover: "If you leave the house without sunscreen, you might as well be naked."

As far as outgoing Fox News talking head Glenn Beck was concerned, the celebs might as well have been naked.Continue reading...

Lifetime is in transition, again. The latest chapter in the network’s search for itself includes a push for younger viewers – a sweet spot for advertisers – and has resulted in a dwindling audience of loyal, older viewers.

The current perception of Lifetime: “‘It’s great for my mom, but I wouldn't watch it.' That has to change," said JoAnn Alfano, Lifetime's executive vice president of programming. "In some ways it's not rocket science. We want to invite all women into the tent and offer a cross-section of programming."

But it’s hard to have a tent that big in television today. The move away from serious dramas and women-in-jeopardy movies – which put Lifetime on the map -- was an attempt to attract new demographic while maintaining loyal viewers.

Lifetime's ad revenue fell 12 percent to $656.8 million in 2009, and the TV-for-women arena is getting crowded. The upcoming launch of Oprah Winfrey's OWN network poses serious competition with programming that empowers women. Oxygen, WE, Style Network and TLC – all catering to women – are all chasing the same audience and advertisers.Continue reading...