Media Roundup: Blockbuster May File for Bankruptcy, Cablevision Announces Targeted Advertising and More

Blockbuster may file for bankruptcy — As rival Netflix remains strong in the recession, retail movie rental chain Blockbuster’s stocks tumbled yesterday on rumors that the company is allegedly considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Today the company announced it hired a law firm to explore restructuring options which may include a Chapter 11 filing. In recent years Blockbuster has attempted to position itself as a provider of digital video and DVDs by mail to compete with Netflix. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

Cablevision announces targeted advertising — Beginning with homes in the New York City area, Cablevision will begin routing specific advertisements to households based on demographic data. The company is using a data-collection company that collects information through public records, registries, and other sources. The technology require no additional hardware from the consumer, and viewers will be unaware they are receiving different advertisements from their neighbors. Cablevision has responded to privacy concerns by maintaining that the matching of demographic data to household happens automatically and anonymously and cannot be reverse engineered. [Source: New York Times]

Amazon brings Kindle e-books to iPhone — Amazon has brought the Kindle to Apple devices through a new iPhone application. The application allows users to sync their book purchases between the Kindle e-reader device and the iPhone. The application will even keep track of what page the reader stopped reading and update each device accordingly. Amazon hopes that thos who download the free application will eventually purchase the $359 Kindle device. [Source: CNET]

Philadelphia Daily News to become edition of Philadelphia Inquirer — Days after the paper’s parent company declared bankruptcy, the Philadelphia Daily News will now be an edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Staff, content and management are not changing. The move was largely an effort to reduce the paper’s wire service fees. The consolidation has reportedly been in the works for over a year. [Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer]

Midway tries to unload flagship video game franchise — In an effort to pay off over $150 million in debt, game publisher Midway has placed the Mortal Kombat franchise up for sale. A company spokesperson downplayed a potential sale, as the franchise is responsible for the company’s latest hit title Mortal Kombat vs. DC. As an alternative option, the company is seeking to get another restructuring plan approved by the courts. Midway declared bankruptcy last month. [Source: paidContent]

Smartphone growth projected to increase — Technology research firm In-Stat predicts that by 2013, 20 percent of all handsets will be smartphones. Today roughly 10 percent of all hadsets are smartphones. In a similar survey last year, 50 percent of cell phone users said they desired a smartphone with their next upgrade. The firm also predicts that Google’s Android operating system will over take Apple’s iPhone. [Source: MediaPost]