Welcome to the cable news roundup, T.G.I.F. edition.
Logitech Ltd. paid dearly for backing the first, half-baked iteration of Google TV, but that isn't stopping some other big CE names from supporting the second-generation version. Samsung Corp. , Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) and Vizio Inc. -- Google TV's current set of partners -- along with a new one, LG Electronics Inc. (London: LGLD; Korea: 6657.KS) , will be incorporating the new platform in connected TVs and, in some cases, standalone devices, according to this blog post from Google TV Partnerships Chief Mickey Kim. Some of those partners will be demoing their latest Google TV wares at next week's Consumer Electronics Show. (See Google TV Won't Fool Logitech Again and Google TV's Refresh .)
Charter Communications Inc. will expand its TV Everywhere library after striking a deal with Turner Entertainment Networks that will give the MSO's 4 million subs access to more than 500 hours of programming from TBS, TNT, truTV, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The agreement also includes access to live streams of CNN and HLN.
Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) has identified HBO as its biggest competitor, and it seems as though the premium programmer is beginning to agree with that notion, particularly now that Netflix is developing its own exclusive, original programming. With that as the setup, HBO is reportedly refusing to let Netflix buy DVDs and Blu-rays of HBO programs at a discount. Netflix says it will still offer those discs, but it will just have to pay more for them.
Dish Network LLC (Nasdaq: DISH) will use CES to trot out the "Hopper" whole-home DVR platform, notes the ZatzNotFunny blog, citing a piece in Twice that has since been pulled down. As ZNF understands it, the main three-tuner Hopper box will share and feed content via the home network to smaller extender units called "Joeys." Dish, meanwhile, has a tease posted on the Web urging visitors to drop by on Monday, Jan. 9, to learn more about the Hopper.
Docsis modem maker Ubee Interactive said Executive Chairman Robert Y.L. Mao will take on the additional role of president following the retirement of company CEO Dr. Yuan-Hao Lin on Jan. 16. Of recent note, Mao was appointed CEO of 3Com Corp. in 2008 and helped complete the sale of the company to HP in early 2010. He's also late of Nortel Networks Inc. and Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU).
Synacor Inc. has expanded its TV Everywhere deal with WideOpenWest Holdings LLC (WOW) to include support for the HBO GO service.
Cox Communications Inc. promoted Marilyn Burrows to SVP and GM of the MSO's Central Region (Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska). She's been serving as SVP and GM of Cox's Las Vegas system, where she'll be succeeded by Duffy Leone, effective Jan. 16.
— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable
