Outside Cable News

Via Engadget
Comcast comes through with 11 HD channels in Oregon, SW Washington
By Darren Murph

Over a month ago, we heard that Comcast would be bringing a respectable helping of new high-def options to the Portland area, but given the carrier’s history of promising and not delivering in the region, we held off on celebrating prematurely. Break out the champagne folks, as we’ve received numerous reports from the area that the operator has indeed delivered on the day it said would, adding in Disney Channel HD (741) , ABC Family Channel HD (739), Discovery Channel HD (707), TLC HD (738), Science HD (772), Food HD (766), Animal Planet HD (743), SciFi HD (759), CNN HD (744), AMC HD (771) and TBS HD (755) to Oregon and Southwestern Washington. Also of note, Comcast launched its AnyRoom On Demand service to all digital cable subscribers, and for those kosher with a bit of SD every now and then (crickets?), NHL Network is also landing on slot 418.

Via Pasadena Now
Noted CNN Journalist to Speak at Caltech
Journalist Mike Chinoy will discuss the rise of China from his perspective as CNN’s Beijing bureau chief
From STAFF REPORTS

Journalist Mike Chinoy will discuss the rise of China from his perspective as CNN’s Beijing bureau chief, Hong Kong bureau chief, and senior Asia correspondent during a Thursday, 8 p.m. discussion in Beckman Auditorium at Caltech, said a spokesperson in a news statement.

Chinoy is the author of “China Live: People Power and theTelevision Revolution,” a book about his experiences reporting in China.

Admission is free and no reservations are required. For more information: (626) 395-6811.

TVNewser reports Rudy will be hosting America’s Nightly Scoreboard tonight at 7pm on FBN.

Via E&P
Iraq a Safe Place — For Getting Away With Murder Of A Journalist, Report Says
By E&P Staff

CHICAGO A report on the nation’s with the worst record of prosecuting those who murder journalists places Iraq at the top of the list — but also includes such democracies as India, the Philippines, Russia and Columbia.

The “Impunity Index” released Wednesday by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranks 13 nations which each have at least five unsolved murders of journalists on the books.

Not surprisingly the top five nations on the list — Iraq, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Colombia, Sri Lanka — are literal or virtual war zones. CPJ noted, however, that most of the journalists killed in these conflict areas are singled out for death, and not accidental victims of war.

But the list also includes Mexico, with seven unpunished murders of journalists, and Bangladesh, with eight.

CPJ compiled the index by calculating the number of unsolved journalists murders as a percentage of the population. The New York City-based press freedom group included all killings between 1998 and 2007.

“Every time a journalist is murdered and the killer is allowed to walk free it sends a terrible signal to the press and to others who would harm journalists,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. “The governments on this list simply must do more to demonstrate a real commitment to a free press. Lip service won’t help save journalists’ lives. We are calling for action: thorough investigations and vigorous prosecutions in all journalist homicides.”
(more…)

Via CNN
iReport for CNN

“iReport For CNN” is the first interactive, international weekly half-hour TV news program comprised of iReporters — and the stories behind the scenes at CNN.

“iReport For CNN” is a fast-paced, first person news show. It’s your videos, your pictures, your stories.

Hosted by award-winning anchor Michael Holmes, the program allows people from around the globe to contribute pictures and video of either a breaking news story or a slice of life from their own towns and neighborhood.

In this half-hour show, Michael gives viewers an “all access” pass inside CNN and showcases the best “iReports” with exclusive eyewitness interviews.

Submit your stories, photos and videos from anywhere where there is news on iReport.com - perhaps we’ll see your report next time on “iReport For CNN”.

Send at iReport.com, see on CNN.

Showtimes for all regions: Tuesdays 930 a.m. ET, 130 p.m. ET ; Saturdays 930 a.m. ET ; Sundays 330 a.m. ET

>I take it this program won’t be available to domestic viewers? Perhaps via VOD at CNN.com?

Via CNET
AT&T to launch its Mobile TV on May 4th
By Nicole Lee

AT&T just broke the news that it will debut AT&T Mobile TV along with the LG Vu and the Samsung Access on May 4th.

As we mentioned a month or so ago, AT&T Mobile TV is the carrier’s new live mobile TV service that will broadcast live TV to compatible phones via Qualcomm’s MediaFLO network. At launch, the service will offer eight channels of programming–CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, MTV, NBC 2G0, NBC News 2Go, and Nickelodeon–as well as two AT&T-exclusive channels called PIX and CNN Mobile Live. PIX will have shows from Sony Pictures Television while CNN Mobile Live will feature 24-hour live streaming of CNN. As a special offer, AT&T is also offering CNCRT, a special concert channel delivered by Control Room, for the next 60 days. It will air one of about 30 concerts from artists like Sheryl Crow and Jay Z.

>Read the rest at CNET.

>Update: According to CNN’s page, the “live streaming” will be CNN International.

>Update: CNN Worldwide director of public relations Jen Martin, however, reiterated that the news network has not granted AT&T exclusive mobile distribution rights. She pointed out that Sprint Nextel has offered the news network’s live mobile TV channel, through MobiTV, for the past year.

The 24-hour CNN Mobile Live provides live streaming video from CNN.com as well as from programs including “American Morning,” “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” “CNN Election Center,” “Larry King Live,” “Anderson Cooper 360º,” and “CNN International.”

Via Telegraph
The most influential US political pundits: 20-11

20. JOE KLEIN
19. DONNA BRAZILE
18. FRANK LUNTZ
17. ANDREW SULLIVAN
16. GLENN BECK
15. BILL MAHER
14. CHUCK TODD
13. KEITH OLBERMANN
12. BILL O’REILLY
11. STEPHEN COLBERT

>Check out the others at Telegraph. Btw, the last installment should be released tomorrow.

Via Paid Content
Industry Moves: CNN’s David Payne Leaving To Start Online Ad Firm; Partnering With Jason Krebs
By Staci D. Kramer

Another key personnel loss for Turner in the digital arena: paidContent has learned that David Payne is leaving CNN, where he is SVP and GM, to start a new internet advertising venture aimed at premium publishers. He’s partnering with ad sales vet Jason Krebs, formerly with New York Times (NYSE: NYT) Digital and most recently with CondeNet. The venture is being backed completely by General Catalyst. Reached by phone, Payne confirmed that Friday is his last day at CNN but declined to provide details effective Friday.