TOP STORY -- Sprint Nextel and Clearwire are in position to move forward with their combined 4G WiMAX plans after Clearwire stockholders approved the deal this morning. The arrangement -- which includes a $3.2 billion investment from Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Trilogy Partners -- will combine Sprint and Clearwire's respective mobile broadband businesses in an effort to accelerate the rollout of the first nationwide 4G network in the U.S. Clearwire also announced that the majority of its lenders had also approved the transaction, clearing the way for a final closing on the deal by the end of the year.

• It was another rough day on Wall Street, with the Dow closing down 444.99 points to end the session at 7,552.29. (Note: The Dow results shown above are incorrect due to a system glitch and heavy late-day trading. We are working to address the situation for tomorrow.)
  
• Decker Anstrom, chairman of the NCTA board of directors, officially resigned his position today, being replaced by Cablevision COO Tom Rutledge. Other new officers for the NCTA board included Cox President Pat Esser as vice chair, Advance/Newhouse CEO Bob Miron as treasurer and Charter CEO Neil Smit as secretary.
• DISH Network and Frontier Communications today renewed their strategic alliance, allowing Frontier to continue to offer DISH Network service in its markets in 24 states.
• According to reports, the record-setting $52 billion buyout of Bell Canada is on track to close by Dec. 11 despite the global financial crisis.
• Calling Yahoo's share price "cheap," Needham & Co. analyst Mark May upgraded his rating on the search firm's stock from "hold" to "buy."
• Verizon filed a 10-year video franchise application with the city of Wilmington, Del. that would allow the company to deploy its fiber-supported FiOS TV service in the city.
• Fox News CEO Roger Ailes reportedly signed a five-year contract extension with News Corp.

Are multiplatform companies beginning to feel the pinch?

Most of those in the video/broadband/media business have advocated that their platforms can survive -- even thrive -- in an economic downturn.  And some of that may be true. But some third quarter numbers didn’t match previous performances or didn’t meet internal or Wall Street expectations.  For the third quarter, several cable companies reported basic video subscriber losses, which is not entirely unexpected for the wired video incumbent.  And in early November all multiplatform eyes turned to DISH Network, the scrappy small dish competitor that reported a second straight quarterly subscriber loss.

Is multiplatform in trouble? For the full story and a FREE subscription to The BRIDGE visit: www.mediabiz.com.