Warner Bros. Does Something Stupid, Partners With Blockbuster

via Ars TechnicaWarner Brothers, shortly after signing "deals" with both Netflix and Redbox to provide more streaming video content to netflix and more titles to Redbox, has just inked another deal.  Blockbuster and the film giant have worked out a similar deal to provide more streaming content to patrons, but there is one key difference in the deals: timing. 

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Warner Music Pulls (legit) Free Music Streaming

Hey everybody! Want to take a look at exactly how not to set yourself up for success in 2010? Please turn your attention to Warner Music. Warner Music doesn't seem to be interested in participating in free streaming services like Last.FM, and Spotify. Thankfully, Pandora is safe due to a different type of agreement with the label. Check out this brilliant quote that BBC's got from Chief Executive at Warner, Edgar Bronfman Jr.:

"Free streaming services are clearly not net positive for the industry and as far as Warner Music is concerned will not be licensed.

"The 'get all your music you want for free, and then maybe with a few bells and whistles we can move you to a premium price' strategy is not the kind of approach to business that we will be supporting in the future."

This guy is just demonstrating Warner's lack of comprehension for how the web works. I think Jon Webster from the Music Manager's forum says it best:

"Anything that's going backwards is denying where the world's going," he said.

"New media has to give the consumer what they want and the consumer is in a world where they want things right here, right now - and if you don't give it to them, they'll steal it. 

 Warner, you can either let users have the music you publish, or they will resort to piracy. At least with streaming services, users don't have to find the music themselves, and it's a great sustainable business model. Don't go ruining a good thing by trying to save your ship that's taking on water, fast. The more people hear the music you publish, the better. I'll download music through whatever means I can, and if I like it, I buy it. It's that simple. When artists on Warner wonder what's going on, and jump ship, it'll already be too late.

Foursquare Teams Up With Multiple Major Media Brands

Via MashableFoursquare just refuses to stay off the radar, don't they? This time, we're talking about a deal between the premier location-based network and a multitude of major, and I mean major, media brands. Zagat, Warner Bros, and HBO, each have their own page live on Foursquare right now. Each of the partnerships bring their own badges to the game, and features unique to the campaign.

For example, Zagat will be offering restaurant suggestions, and running a "Meet The Mayor" interview series with Foursquare Mayors. Warner Bros. is showcasing the new film Valentine's Day by awarding a badge for visiting a great date location. And HBO's unannounced page for 'How To Make It In America' is already chock-full of tips pertaining to the show.

Foursquare is also supposedly working with the History Channel, and Chicago's Metro system. Smart more for Foursquare. Now if only they'd beef up the actual product now that they've got major eyeballs, I'd be very happy.

Netflix Caves to Warner Bros.

In a sad turn of events, Nextflix has agreed to wait 28 days before making new Warner Bros. DVD releases available for rental via their service. In exchange, Warner Bros. will make more titles available for instant streaming on Netflix. Netflix probably won't be hurting much because of this, but Warner Bros. sure will.

WB is looking to boost DVD sales, but what the content providers still don't understand is that they can't control folks who want to see their content. If we want to see the new Harry Potter the second it comes out, rest assured, we will, by whatever means necessary. All WB is doing by tying Netflix's hands is alienating their customers, doing no harm to Netflix, and driving more viewers to piracy.

I don't remember the last time I bought a DVD. I use Netflix for almost everything. The only thing I miss is the special feature content that isn't available via watch instantly. Keep supporting comapnies like Netflix and Redbox. Sooner or later, content providers will get wise (hopefully) and ease up.