Netflix' New Triple X Name – Unveilings Expected from DISH, Facebook – Canoe Woes

Alternative Technologies:  In yet another attempt to destroy the English language, Netflix' Reed Hastings is separating the DVD-by-mail service and naming it Qwikster.  Netflix will stay the name for the movie-streaming side.  No change in pricing, though.  More from Hastings here. --- FYI:  The markets liked the NFLX news, boosting shares 2% in early trading.  But Hastings may come to regret the new DVD name as the Qwikster Twitter handle apparently belongs to someone with an affinity for profane material. --- DISH is expected to unveil its Blockbuster streaming plans at a press conference on Friday. --- Facebook is expected to unveil a music/video sharing media platform at the F8 developers' conference on Thursday.  More in the NYT. 

Down and Out?  Canoe Ventures got a dry dock notice in the NY Post today as those ubiquitous "industry insiders" note that the cable ad venture is "still looking for its first major victory" while a whole bunch of key execs are now "former." 

Analyze This: One-time cable vendor exec Ed Breen is at it again splitting Tyco Int'l into 3 separate firms with ADT North America being one.

Deals & $$$:  Liberty Global has completed its 100% acquisition of Polish telecom/cable company Aster.

Awards:  In case you missed it, the Emmy's were last night … The Hollywood Reporter has the full list here.

Rules and Regs:  A group of Congressmen, led by Heath Shuler (D-NC), want President Obama to override the DOJ's bid to block the AT&T/T-Mobile merger.  

More News in The Morning BRIDGE ... early tomorrow in your in-box.•

... happiness always comes along with the 1st snow.

Our old friend Tom Freston – who has been counseling a number of projects, including tough ones like OWN – surfaced in today's NYTimes with a long piece by David Carr about stepping up to an old compass point and getting involved in TV in Afghanistan ... story here.

Speaking of old friends, a sad note this morning as news of Larry Miles' death from cancer came ... long time friend and cable veteran, Larry and his wife Maggie were always full of smiles ... condolences.  He'll be missed at the annual Pioneers' Dinner.

Reminder: If you’re in Denver or the Front Range this Thursday evening ... drop by our offices on the Platte River (1810 Platte) for a NAMIC event we’re hosting in our back yard (5:30-7:30 pm) right on the Platte River --- there's a walkway around the back of the South end of the building ... just look for our temporary bar on our patio.  I’ll also be chatting with the Comcast Colorado guy Steve White, TV One’s Michelle Rice and ESPN and SkiTAM's Steve Raymond.  (Inexpensive parking on the South end of the building – known as the Platte River Rowing Club – some limited parking on the North end of the building or on the street.)

We’ll have some soft drinks, beer and wine and good conversation.  Anyone in the businesses in Denver and vicinity is welcome to join us ... just please let Cody know at cmax@mediabiz.com or click here for NAMIC’s web site.

Meanwhile, back in the travel mode, I was in, of all places, Jacksonville, Florida last week for a private cable conference ... we stayed in Atlantic Beach (on the beach of course) at a hotel - One Ocean - run by the Remington Group out of Dallas.  Whatever they do for personnel training it sure works.  Literally everyone working at the hotel was quick to stop whatever they were doing to be helpful ... it was a singularly notable experience to have everyone quick with a smile, a hello or a how-can-we-help that was actually meant.  If there was still a CTAM local chapter, I'd invite them to speak.  But, hey, next year might bring that opportunity.•