RUMOR: SONY PREPARING INTERNET TV ALTERNATIVE

The Wall Street Journal reports Sony has approached "several big media companies" about distributing their channels over the internet. This comes on the heels of its report on comments by CEO Howard Stringer about significant R&D efforts going into a "different kind of TV", and the four screen strategy Sony would like to implement. According to the report, Sony's idea is to offer small bundles of channels over the internet to its TVs, Blu-ray players, and the PS3.

Cutting deals with companies like CBS, that doesn't want to jeopardize its cable and satellite TV-based revenue, could be difficult. As for the competition, similar rumors about Microsoft turned into an effort that mostly works with partners like Comcast, U-verse, and FiOS, while Google is also pursuing a route of adding to, but not necessarily replacing, cable TV.

Sony has positioned itself well, adding IPTV services including sports to the PS3 and live TV tuning capability, and its tested the waters of going over the top before, but so far whether it will actually pursue this new plan is unknown.

CNET TO ACQUIRE GDGT SITE

Back in 2009 a rumor was swirling that CNET (and parent company CBS) were sniffing around gdgt, the then-brand-new community/review site/blog by Peter Rojas and Ryan Block. While CNET was considering an investment at the time, an acquisition was said not to be an option.

Oh, how time can change things. Two years later, we’re not only hearing that CNET is now in talks to acquire gdgt, but also that the deal could be announced as early as this week. The source had no information on the details. GDGT founder Ryan Block declined comment.

CBS TO REMOVE SOME SHOWTIME SHOWS FROM NETFLIX

CBS confirmed today with Dow Jones that it will pull some of its Showtime television shows from Netflix, and apparently Netflix is pretty shocked by the news. A Showtime spokesperson said that it will remove the episodes of shows that are currently still airing on television from Netflix’s portfolio when the current partnership deal between the CBS and Netflix ends this summer.

“We’re perplexed by this,” Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesperson told Dow Jones. “We have great Showtime shows available on our service, and we expect to continue with those shows. We have a very good relationship with CBS and all its channels.” Two popular shows that are currently offered by Netflix and are still airing are “Californication” and “Dexter.”

CBS AND TURNER SPORTS TO STREAM MARCH MADNESS TO PCS, iPHONE AND iPADS FOR FREE

Every year CBS has enhanced its March Madness On Demand experience, from HD VOD on cable boxes to HD streaming on PCs before adding PiP and paid mobile access last year. For 2011, a new deal has brought in Turner Sports to not only provide enough channels to air all the games in high definition, but also expand the streaming experience by promising higher quality video, personalized channel lineup and social tie ins. If you're on the go, the mobile client for iOS devices (sorry, no Android or other mobile OSes) is free this year. The apps will drop on March 10th in iTunes.

YAHOO TVs TO STREAM DISNEY, ABC, ESPN WIDGETS

If you own a Yahoo Connected TV you could soon be getting widgets to stream ESPN, ABC and Disney shows. These widgets will reportedly be free, however CBS, NBC, Showtime and Home Shopping Network widgets may be paid apps. Yahoo is expected launch a paid app store in Q1.

Yahoo Connected TV was launched a few years ago and has failed to take off like the set top box, Apple, Google and Boxee for example. Yahoo Connected currently has about 100 free apps in their download store.

BROADCAST NETWORKS BLOCK GOOGLE TV

ABC, NBC and CBS have blocked Google TV from accessing online content of their shows.  According to the Wall Street Journal all 3 networks have confirmed the ban and Fox hasn't reached a decision yet.  Google says "ultimately the content owners' choice to restrict their fans from accessing their content on the platform," but Reuters is now reporting the Google is in active negotiations with the networks to get access back.

Google TV can be found in select Sony televisions and also in a Logitech set-top box.  It allows users to view live television as well as the internet at the same time. [Engadget]

APPLE TV RENTALS TO CHEAP FOR CONTENT OWNERS?

Warner Bros. Entertainment Chairman Barry Meyer told attendees of the very long named Bank of America / Merrill Lynch 2010 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference that his company doesn't see a good value proposition in the TV show rental sector.  He went on to say  he doesn't want to "open up a rental business in television at a low price.”   This is probably due to the fact he doesn't want to cannibalize the licensing of entire seasons of shows to other broadcasters.

Currently, Apple only has Disney and News Corp signed for the launch of Apple TV.  CBS and NBC are waiting on the sidelines to see how things progress before jumping in. [NewTeeVee]

RUMOR: APPLE READYING 99 CENT TV SHOW RENTAL

Apple is working on bringing 99 cent TV show rentals to iTunes according to Bloomberg's report.  They have nearly locked in Fox with CBS and Disney not far behind.  Apple is in advanced talks with Fox to allow rental of their TV shows for 48 hours for 99 cents.