Viacom and Microsoft Announce Long-Term Digital Content and Advertising Partnership

Companies sign landmark multi-year deal to collaborate on content distribution, advertising, event promotions and gaming Microsoft's Atlas to become exclusive ad serving platform for Viacom U.S. web sites

Viacom Inc.and Microsoft Corporation today announced a broad-based, strategic alliance under which major divisions of both companies will collaborate on advertising, content distribution, event promotions and games over the next several years.

The comprehensive agreement spans across the two companies and includes a number of significant components. Among them:



-- Microsoft will license, on a non-exclusive basis, long and short-form
television and theatrical content from across Viacom's cable network
and motion picture businesses, including MTV, Comedy Central, BET and
Paramount Pictures for use on Microsoft properties such as MSN and Xbox
360.

-- Microsoft's Atlas division will become the ad server for Viacom's U.S.
websites and Microsoft will have the exclusive right to sell remnant
display advertising inventory on Viacom's U.S. websites.

-- Microsoft will buy advertising on Viacom broadcast and online networks
over a five-year period and the companies will work together on
promotions and sponsorships for MTV Networks and BET Networks award
shows;

-- Viacom will work with Microsoft on opportunities to become a preferred
publishing partner across Microsoft's casual gaming platforms.

Detailed financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal has a projected base value of approximately $500 million in financial considerations and business services between the two companies over the initial five-year length of the agreement. The deal includes a combination of revenue sharing provisions, guarantees and content licensing agreements. The agreements contemplate the potential for expansion of the transactions.

For information on digital products and services visit Broadband National.

Malware 'grew by 100 percent' in 2007

The amount of malware detected on the internet doubled in 2007, according to the software security company F-Secure.

New malware variants are being created by cyber criminals "in bulk", according to F-Secure, which is based in Finland. Social engineering continued to be a favored way for cyber criminals to deliver malware, often conning email recipients into opening links that lead to web site hosting the malware.

Patrik Runald, security response manager at F-Secure, said: "We've never seen as many samples arrive at our lab."We would be unable to handle such huge loads if we would not have built a high degree of automation into our malware analysis systems over the past years." Online financial transactions are a favored target of cyber criminals, F-Secure warned, with the amount of phishing sites increasing exponentially.

So-called Man in the Browser attacks, where banking Trojans are fed directly into applications are also becoming more popular. For information on other digital products and services visit Broadband National.

Facebook alters advertising platform

The popular social networking site Facebook has changed its new advertising platform only three weeks after its debut.

This was done in the wake of widespread protests from Facebook members that the site had invaded their privacy. Dubbed Beacon, the ad platform initially was targeted at all users of the site, unless they actively chose the "opt out" option. Now, after the protests, users will have to actively choose an "opt in" option if they wish to be targeted by the advertisements.

Moveon.org Civic Action spokesman Adam Green was quoted by the AFP as saying: "Sites like Facebook are revolutionizing how we communicate with each other and organize around issues together in a 21st century democracy. "Will corporate advertisers get to write the rules of the Internet or will these new social networks protect our basic rights, like privacy? We hope Facebook's decision sets an important precedent for internet users' rights."

For more information on digital products and services visit Broadband National.

YouTube Continues to Lead U.S. Online Video Market With 28 Percent Market Share, According to comScore Video Metrix

Nearly 2 in 5 U.S. Internet Users Watched a YouTube Video in September

comScore a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its comScore Video
Metrix report for September 2007, revealing that nearly 75 percent of U.S.
Internet users watched a video online (including both streaming video and
progressive downloads), averaging three hours of video per person during
the month. Google Sites, which includes YouTube.com, topped the September
rankings with both the most unique video viewers and most videos viewed.

Google Continues to Lead Online Video Market

September saw Americans view more than 9 billion videos online, with
Google Sites once again ranking as the top U.S. video property with 2.6
billion videos viewed (28.3 percent share of videos), 2.5 billion of which
occurred at YouTube.com (27.6 percent). Fox Interactive Media ranked second
with 387 million (4.2 percent), followed by Yahoo! Sites with 381 million
(4.1 percent) and Viacom Digital with 304 million (3.3 percent).

For information on other digital products and services visit Broadband National.

Internet spying 'largest threat in 2008'

Internet-based espionage is likely to pose the largest information security danger in 2008, the security software company McAfee has reported.

In a new report titled Virtual Criminology, the company said that the internet is increasingly being used by governments for spying and launching cyber attacks on rivals. The report also said that the new year would see an increase in attacks against e-banking functions.

Earlier this year, Estonia was targeted by a widespread cyber attack which shut down many essential functions for weeks. An unnamed Nato source told McAfee: "Traditional protective measures were not enough to protect against the attacks on Estonia's critical national infrastructure. "Botnets, unsurprisingly, were used but the complexity and coordination seen was new."

The attacks were organized and used "careful timing", the source said. And instead of being successfully shut down, the attacks stopped at a given juncture, the source added. For information on digital products and services visit Broadband National.

Everyone Is Going To Jail!!!!!

Judge removed over cell phone jailing

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - A sign in Niagara Falls' city court warns that cell phones and pagers must be turned off. Folks there believe it. On Tuesday, a judge was bounced from the bench for jailing 46 people after none would own up to a cell phone that began ringing during his court session.

Judge Robert Restaino "snapped" and "engaged in what can only be described as two hours of inexplicable madness" during the March 2005 session, Raoul Felder, chairman of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, wrote in the decision to remove the judge.

Restaino, who became a full-time judge in 2002 after serving part-time since 1996, was hearing domestic violence cases when a phone rang.

"Everyone is going to jail," the judge said. "Every single person is gong to jail in this courtroom unless I get that instrument now. If anybody believes I'm kidding, ask some of the folks that have been here for a while. You are all going."

For information on digital products and services visit Broadband National.

US Airways expands AT&T wireless deal

Airline giant US Airways has signed a contract with AT&T for the communications company to provide wireless services to customers, corporate email and cargo tracking.

The deal is worth $6 million and is an expansion of a long-running contract between the companies which has seen AT&T provide US Airways with internet protocol data services. US Airways will now use hand-held barcode scanners which can connect wirelessly with AT&T's network and will allow the airline to provide tracking for its customers in real time. AT&T already provides similar services to many regional airlines around the US.

Joe Beery, US Airways' senior vice president and chief information officer, said: "In a move to optimize and improve our tracking of cargo shipments, we sought a reliable and consistent solution. "AT&T brings the benefit of wireless advantages to the solution and enhances our agility and high-quality standards to our customer service philosophy."

Security 'vital' to telecommunications

An IBM survey has found that the issue of security is to be of utmost importance for telecommunication companies in the future.

The survey, dubbed 2007 State of Security for Global Telecommunications Carriers, found that rather than being a hindrance to rolling out new technology, security could enhance it. Only 36 per cent of internet companies surveyed reported that security issues slowed the roll-out of IP services. Counse Broders, senior research director, telecom services with Current Analysis, said: "This survey shows what the market is already experiencing from recent mergers and acquisitions, including Verizon/Cybertrust and IBM/ISS: that security is a key ingredient for carriers as they move into next generation services and solutions.

"Clearly, those providers without a security solution in place risk losing their competitive edge." Less than half the companies that plan to IP-based networks in the near future have technology in place to address the security concerns that such networks bring.

For information on digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Yahoo! settles with Chinese journalists

Internet giant Yahoo! has settled with attorneys working on the behalf of several jailed Chinese journalists.

It was alleged that Yahoo! gave the Chinese government information that led to the arrest and imprisonment of journalists Shi Tao, Yu Ling and Wang Xiaoning. Following the settlement the lawsuit was withdrawn from the federal court for the Northern District of California. The court filing said: "Plaintiffs and defendants hereby jointly stipulate to dismissal with prejudice of all claims made in this action, based on a private settlement understanding among the parties."

Recently during a congressional hearing the chief executive of Yahoo!, Jerry Yang, was severely criticized by the California Democrat Representative Tom Lantos over the matter. Yang was made to publicly apologise to the family of Shi Tao, who were present at the hearing. Shi Tao has been sentenced to a decade in prison after email information about the Chinese government's efforts to stifle recognition of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. For information on digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Internet-based TV series debuts

The popular social networking site MySpace has debuted its internet TV series, Quarterlife, which follows the activities of a group of 20-somethings.

Quarterlife is the brainchild of the creators of My So-Called Life, Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick. The creative duo has come up with 36 episodes of the series, each lasting eight minutes each, to be shown on MySpaceTV. In his review of the show, LA Times writer Robert Lloyd said: "In terms of production, acting and subtlety of intention, it's miles beyond any drama yet mounted on the internet." But despite this, he added that "there is something slightly off about their take on Generation Text-Me; it feels rooted in magazine clippings rather than actual experience."

Meanwhile, the Hollywood writer's strike continues apace. Various TV stars, including Eva Longoria and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, have backed the Writer's Guild in their demands for a greater proportion of internet and DVD profits.
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For information on digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com

Broadband National Ranked No. 57 On The Inc 500 List

Broadband National Inc. was recently ranked No. 57 on the 2007 Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S.

Vero Beach, FL, -- Inc. magazine today announced its 26th annual Inc. 500 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. Broadband National Inc., the nation’s leading online marketing company that promotes digital products and services such as broadband, voice, and video, ranks No. 57 on the list, with a four-year growth rate of over 2,201 percent.

“This achievement puts Broadband National in very special company,” states Broadband National’s President and CEO Vinny Olmstead. “The Inc. 500 has recognized companies like Microsoft, Timberland, Domino’s Pizza and many other entrepreneurial companies long before they became household names. Ranking number 57 amongst these other great companies is a real testament to the management and employees of Broadband National.”

Starting with 2003 revenues of $468,00 and 2006 revenues of over 11 million Broadband National realized an earnings growth of over 2,201 percent, the company expects http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifcurrent year revenues to double that of 2006. Mark Weibel EVP of Marketing goes on to state, “We’re proud to be one of the most innovative, dynamic, fast-growth companies in the nation, the ones coming up with solutions to some of our most pressing issues, creating systems that let us conduct business faster and easier. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine’s tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition.”

About Broadband National Inc.

Broadband National is the leading comparative shopping website for digital related products and services. Residential and business customers can use Broadband National's IBIS (Integrated Broadband Information System) technology to compare services from more than 50 local, regional and national service providers. Formed in 2003, Broadband National is a private company conceived as a solution to a fragmented and confusing broadband marketplace. Millions have used their Web site to compare services, and purchase broadband, satellite, VoIP, and similar telecom services.
For Broadband National press inquiries please contact Mark Ballard at 772-539-0618 or visit www.broadbandnational.com

NBC To Show Olympics On Internet

The media giant NBC has announced that it is intending on streaming live coverage of the 2008 Olympics on its website nbcolympics.com.

This will mark the first time in history that the Olympic Games have been shown on the Internet. Since 1992, NBC has shown six out of the past nine Olympics. Mike McCarley, a spokesman for NBC Sports, said: "It's the evolution of the technology and consumer behavior. "There are people with the appetite to consume this."

Overall, the amount of coverage that NBC intends on showing in 2008 will be more than has ever been shown before. More than 3,600 hours of coverage will be shown, in contrast to the 1,210 hours that NBC provided for the Olympics in 2004. The 2008 Olympics will run from August 8th to the 24th. Beijing beat out the cities of Toronto, Paris, Istanbul and Osaka to win the right to hold the Olympics.

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Safeguard Scientifics Leads $9.7 Million Financing Round for Broadband National Inc.

Leading Comparative Shopping Website for Broadband Related Services and Products Such as High Speed Internet, VoIP and Cable TV

WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE:SFE), a holding company that builds value in growth-stage technology and life sciences companies, today announced that it led a $9.7 million financing round to obtain an $8 million stake in Broadband National Inc., an internet media company that operates a network of shopping websites focused on digital services and products such as high speed internet, digital phone, VoIP, digital TV and music. Existing investors Constellation Ventures II, a Bear Stearns Asset Management venture capital fund that focuses on media, communications and technology companies, and select angel round contributors, also participated in this round. The proceeds will help Broadband National expand into new vertical markets, continue development of its technology platform, pursue selective acquisitions and provide partial liquidity to a founder.

With offices located in Vero Beach, FL and Atlanta, GA, Broadband National was founded in 2003 to clarify a fragmented and confusing digital services marketplace by supplying a simplified shopping experience through unique content, education and comparison services to end users. Residential and small business customers can use Broadband National’s Integrated Broadband Information System (IBIS) technology platform to compare thousands of digital services offerings from more than 50 key advertisers. Broadband National’s advertising partners include an impressive list of market leaders including Comcast, AT&T, Charter, Real Networks, Vonage, Qwest, Time Warner, and Verizon.

“As our ninth technology partner company, Broadband National expands upon the number of companies that fall within the Internet-based business concentration of Safeguard’s strategic focus,” said Peter J. Boni, President and CEO of Safeguard. “Broadband National’s technology platform provides a single point of contact for consumers, exposing them to a wide range of digital service providers with a single interface. This reinforces Safeguard’s objective, to find the entrepreneurs, give them the growth capital, operational support services and strategic guidance required to build a great company. We welcome Broadband National to the Safeguard team.”

“Broadband National participates in the growing customer generation segment of the overall market for digital services in the United States, including broadband internet access, cable and satellite TV, IPTV, music, and VoIP, which has been projected to grow to $10 trillion by 2014,” said John A. Loftus, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the Technology Group at Safeguard. “Broadband National’s IBIS technology platform facilitates the rapid release of emerging digital services such as VoIP, digital music downloads and satellite radio. Over time, we anticipate additional services to migrate to the digital domain. Broadband National will be well positioned to take advantage of this broader market opportunity.”

“As part of this financing round, we were looking for a strategic partner that would support our strategy to augment our organization through vertical market expansion and growth via organic growth and selected acquisitions,” said Vinny Olmstead, President and CEO of Broadband National. “Safeguard’s ability to provide strategic guidance along with operational and management resources will enable us to achieve our goals and ultimately build value for our advertisers and customers.”

As part of this transaction, Kevin L. Kemmerer, Senior Vice President of the Technology Group at Safeguard, has joined Broadband National’s Board of Directors.

About Broadband International Inc.

Broadband National with offices in Vero Beach, FL and Atlanta, GA, is the leading comparative shopping website for digital services and products such as high speed internet, VoIP and digital TV. With the leading digital service providers integrated into one technology platform, Broadband National provides the only nationwide solution to both residential and small business customers. Broadband National’s proprietary IBIS technology platform; integrated operating processes; API engine; and leading personnel expertise enable customers to access objective digital comparisons, including service offers, product offers, and guaranteed lowest pricing. Backend integrations with leading advertising clients such as AT&T, Qwest, Time Warner, Comcast, Covad, and Verizon assures the end customers real time information to make choices for thousand of digital services. Broadband National also licenses its content and IBIS technology platform to retailers, third party call centers, service providers, VoIP suppliers, and third party websites. www.broadbandnational.com

About Safeguard

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE:SFE) builds value in growth-stage technology and life sciences businesses. Safeguard provides growth capital as well as a range of strategic, operational and management resources to our partner companies. Safeguard participates in expansion financings, corporate spin-outs, management buyouts, recapitalizations, industry consolidations and early-stage financings. www.safeguard.com

Public warned of fake government emails

Internet users have been warned of thousands of fake emails purporting to be from various government agencies being disseminated around the internet.

The emails pretend to be from agencies such as the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Those that receive the emails are asked to divulge personal details such as social security numbers and bank account information.

Lois Greisman, associate director of the FTC's division of marketing practices, said: "We are the agency that brought you the Do Not Call Registry and CAN-SPAM. "We're not likely to send out unsolicited emails." CAN-SPAM is a law from 2003 that restricts the sending of commercial spam emails. According to a report from the Anti-Phishing Working Group, the number of phishing websites rose to 37,438 in May of this year, compared to 11,976 during the same month in 2006.

Last month, the Treasury said that it has received thousands of complaints about spam emails claiming to be from the IRS. For more information on digital products and services visit www.dsldance.com

ATT concentrates on products for disabled customers

Communications giant ATT is focusing on developing new products for its disabled customers, the company has claimed.

Those with impaired vision or blindness are being targeted by two new products called Mobile Speak and Mobile Magnifier. To develop the products, ATT worked with Code Factory, a developer of software solutions for the blind. Currently ATT is getting advice from experts within the disabled community on designing further services to aid the visually impaired.

Paul Schroeder, vice president of programs and policy for the American Foundation for the Blind, said: "The partnership of companies such as Code Factory and ATT bodes well for those in the disabled community, demonstrating that they have not forgotten the visually impaired demographic." Such companies are looking for fresh and "unorthodox" ways of extending their services to the disabled community, Mr. Schroeder added.

Meanwhile, ATT has added its support to the Federal Communication Commission's proposals for the auction of the 700 MHz spectrum auction, which would expand choice for those who use wireless.

For more information on digital products and services visit http://www.dsldance.com

Hummer.com Proves Most Useful To Online Shoppers

A new survey conducted by J D Power and Associates has revealed that Hummer.com was considered to be the most useful web site for online consumers shopping for new vehicles.

The 2007 Manufacturer Web Site Evaluation Study was based on a number of criteria, including appearance, speed, navigation and information or content. The firm found that Hummer.com received an 870 point score out of a possible 1,000, beating the likes of Toyota, Jeep, Suzuki, Land Rover and Lexus. Steve Witten, executive director of marketing and media research at J D Power and Associates, said that the manufacturer had achieved the top spot for the third time.

"A continuing focus on clear, simple navigation and crisp images and videos that demonstrate both the appearance of Hummer's models, as well as the features included in them, allow Hummer to regain the highest ranking for usefulness among automotive manufacturer web sites," he remarked. Shopping online is one of a number of popular activities enjoyed by American internet users, with a recent survey by Edison Media Research noting that 33 per cent of consumers over the age of 12 consider the net to be an essential item.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

For information on digital products and services visit www.dsldance.com

Online Gamers Increase By 17%

The number of internet users who enjoy online gaming increased significantly over the course of the last year, a new report has revealed.

Research by comScore found that the number of unique visitors to gaming sites reached 217 million globally, representing an annual increase of 17 percent. Bob Ivans, managing director of comScore Europe, said that one in four internet users now visit gaming sites, demonstrating the popularity of the sector.

"The fact that these websites are pulling in over a quarter of the total worldwide internet population shows what a global phenomenon gaming has become," Mr Ivans stated. Advertisers may find that the online gaming industry is particularly attractive, as the firm's research showed that the average gamer visits a site nine times each month, he added. Last month, Ronald M Davis, present of the American Medical Association, said that although more studies needed to be carried out into video games, parents should "closely monitor" their children's use of games and the internet.

For information on other digital products and services visit http://www.dsldance.com

Google acquires online security firm

Google has announced that it has acquired Postini, a provider of security and compliance solutions for business and other users around the world.

The deal is said to be worth $625 million and will see Postini, which provides services to over 35,000 businesses, become a subsidiary of Google. The company's message security and encryption services can be used to help protect a company's email and other web-based communication systems.

Commenting on the agreement, Eric Schmidt, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Google, said: "With this transaction, we're reinforcing our commitment to delivering compelling hosted applications to businesses of all sizes." Using Postini's expertise, Google's hosting applications can help to "streamline" information security mandates for its client organizations, he added. Postini claims that its security technology helps to block more than one billion spam emails and processes two billion connections every day.

For information on other digital products and services visit www.dsldance.com

Online Music Service Sales Increase

The music industry suffered a significant loss in physical music sales in 2006, but the digital music market continued to grow, a new report has revealed.

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), physical music shipments, such as CDs, fell by 11 percent to $17.5 billion last year, while digital shipments increased by 85 percent to $2.1 billion. Commenting on the figures, IFPI chairman John Kennedy said that the industry had hoped the loss in physical sales would have been offset by the growth in music downloads. "But while digital sales have grown as expected, physical sales have fallen by more than expected," he remarked.

The IFPI stated that digital music formats, which include those downloaded onto computers and cell phones, accounted for 11 per cent of total shipments last year. In related news, reports earlier this week suggested that Universal did not intend to renew its contract with Apple's iTunes for the online distribution of its music.

For information on other digital products and services visit www.dsldance.com

Yahoo! launches new online marketing tool

Yahoo! has announced the launch of a new customized advertising product that tailors promotions to the web users' characteristics.

SmartAds enables marketers to target Internet users by taking their age, gender, location and online use into account, CNET News reports.

Yahoo! spokesperson Guade Paez described the new service, which also boasts an advertisement creation tool, as "behavioral targeting".

"This makes display advertising more of a direct response vehicle than just branding," she commented.

According to the news provider, the new advertisements are expected to first appear on Yahoo!'s publisher sites before being rolled out across its other partner web sites.

Last month, Yahoo! combined its US-based search and display advertising sales teams as part of its continuing effort to meet the requirements of its marketing customers.

Sue Decker, president of the firm, said that by joining the two services, Yahoo! could "better serve" its advertisers and build upon its position in the market.

For more information on digital products and services visit www.broadbandnational.com