TOP STORY -- In an effort to further standardize reporting fulfillment across platforms and companies, CableLabs on Wednesday introduced its latest interactive and advanced advertising specifications for use with its new Canoe platform.

Part of CableLabs' Advanced Advertising 1.0 Architecture, the new Stewardship and Fulfillment Interfaces include a set of specifications designed to allow providers to offer advanced interactive and addressable ads within cable's existing VOD framework. The specs include features to allow MSOs to export campaign information, gather messages created by an interactive application, define interoperable apps and configure messaging procedures.

"These specs represent some fairly fast track work put together by specialists from our member MSOs, Canoe Ventures and vendor companies," said Don Dulchinos, CableLabs' senior vice president of advanced platforms. "Their long experience makes it possible for new capabilities around standardized reporting and fulfillment to be plugged right into technologies that support a range of advanced advertising products.”

• In response to Wednesday's court decision to stay the injunction in TiVo's lawsuit against EchoStar pending an appeal, the DVR developer said it is confident that the District Count judge's original decision will be upheld once the appeal is complete. "The Court of Appeals stayed the District Court’s order the previous time this case was heard on appeal and ultimately affirmed the judgment against EchoStar," the company said in a statement. "We are pleased that the court recognizes the urgency of ruling on this appeal and has ordered an expedited briefing schedule.”
• According to a new report from market research firm Strategy Analytics, the launch of Comcast's new 4G wireless broadband service in Portland, Ore. will create new competition for AT&T and Verizon, neither of which offer a similar bundle. The key for Comcast, however, will be building on its WiMAX service to offer a truly compelling triple play.
• The NTIA and the USDA's Rural Utilities Service have released guidelines for the distribution of the government's $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus money, including an application process that awards extra credit for companies based on baseline broadband speed. Per the regulations, the defined speed target for broadband is now 768 kbps downstream and 200 kbps upstream.

Well... Well... Well...

I hate to say it - but once again I am angry at Time Warner.  Why this time you ask? Well VOD is down and the guide isn't working.  What exactly does that mean? My shows aren't being recorded because there is no guide.... Basically VOD is extremely cranky and unhappy.   It is not my friend either.   I tried calling and waited for a good hour and finally gave up.  I tried the little "chat with us" thing they have on their website and still nothing.  Basically, I can't exactly figure it out! I really wish I could get Verizon or at this point even DIRECTV... I can't due to the fact that my building won't let that happen.

I miss cable that actually works and the people are actually friendly when I call... What happened to that?  And why is Time Warner always broken?

As much as I could go on and on about Time Warner - I have better things to do with my time!

I am off to show one of my best friends the city, she's never been here before.  I haven't done all the tourist stuff since I was a kid.  It'll be good to see it all again.

Don't forget to enjoy the holiday weekend!

Until Next Time,
Kable Kid.

PS - Happy Birthday Michelle.