Jim Cramer Blog

Friday's show began with Cramer analysing two new stocks Cramer wants you to buy after the big sell off in the market on Thursday. Cramer said he likes to buy supermarket and drugstore stocks after down days because investors consider them to be safe. His picks were Avon (AVP) and Clorox (CLX). Cramer thinks that they both are doing well internationally, that they have good growth prospects, and that the CEOs of both companies have turned things around.
Tekelec (TKLC): Cramer talked about his weekly speculative pick. They make telecommunications equipment that is focused on next generation networks, giving it strong growth prospects. Cramer also likes that they just completed a stock buyback, meaning they have more cash than some of his speculative plays. Cramer thinks that the stock could go to $16, and that it might be a buyout target for a larger telecommunications company.
After the lightning round, Cramer discussed his Game Plan for next week. He thinks that Citigroup (C) CEO Chuck Prince will either leave the company this weekend, or not at all. If he is still around after Monday, Cramer wants you to move on.
Cramer then talked to Diana Shipping (DSX) CEO Simeon Palios about dry bulk shipping rates, and he left Cramer less bullish about the dry bulk shippers than he had been.
Cramer brought up his earnings plays for this week. Cisco (CSCO) reports on Wednesday, and Cramer thinks you should buy the stock before then. Hologic (HOLX) reports on Tuesday, and Cramer thinks you should also buy some of their stock before they report. He also said that Foster Wheeler (FWLT) and Allergan (AGN) have gone down in the past after earnings, which he thinks is a chance to get these stocks on sale. Cramer also said that he wants you to sell CBS (CBS) and buy ConEd (ED) because it has higher growth and a larger dividend.
Cramer has the CEO of GFI Group (GFIG) on the phone, and they talked about the company's position in the brokerage market, and Cramer said that he is bullish on the stock.

Labels: AVP, CBS, CLX, CNBC, CSCO, DSX, HOLX, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, TKLC

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Underpriced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Mastercard Inc. Aug 150 Calls (NYSE:MA - News). MA's PowerRating is 6.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Aug 95 Puts (NYSE:CMG - News). CMG's PowerRating is 4.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Beazer Homes USA Inc. Sep 12.5 Calls (NYSE:BZH - News). BZH's PowerRating is 8.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Intuitive Surgical Oct 175 Puts (NasdaqGS:ISRG - News). ISRG's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News). CBS' PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
Centex Corp. (NYSE:CTX - News). CTX's PowerRating is 6.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NasdaqGS:ENER - News). ENER's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BZH, CBS, CMG, CTX, ENER, ISRG, MA, stock options

MTV owner Viacom Inc. said Tuesday it has sued YouTube and its corporate parent Google Inc. in federal court for alleged copyright infringement and is seeking more than $1 billion in damages.
Viacom claims that the more than 160,000 unauthorized video clips from its cable networks, which also include Comedy Central, VH1 and Nickelodeon, have been available on the popular video-sharing Web site.
The lawsuit marks a sharp escalation of long-simmering tensions between Viacom and YouTube. Last month Viacom demanded that YouTube remove more than 100,000 unauthorized clips after several months of talks between the companies broke down.
In a statement, Viacom lashed out at YouTube's business practices, saying it has "built a lucrative business out of exploiting the devotion of fans to others' creative works in order to enrich itself and its corporate parent Google."
Viacom said YouTube's business model, "which is based on building traffic and selling advertising off of unlicensed content, is clearly illegal and is in obvious conflict with copyright laws."
A representative for Google didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other media companies have also clashed with YouTube over copyrights, but some, including CBS Corp. and General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal, have reached deals with the video-sharing site to license their material.
Universal Music Group, a unit of France's Vivendi SA, had threatened to sue YouTube, saying it was a hub for pirated music videos, but later reached a licensing deal with them.
Viacom filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is also seeking an injunction prohibiting Google and YouTube from using its clips.
Google shares dropped $3.96 to $450.79 in morning trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, while Viacom's Class B shares rose 25 cents to $39.82 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Published by AP

Labels: CBS, GE, GOOG, VIA, VIA-B

CBS Corp. (CBS, 29.62) announced that it has agreed to repurchase approximately 47 mln shares of CBS Class B common stock for about $1.4 bln through an accelerated share repurchase transaction.
The repurchase is in connection with CBS's share repurchase program announced on Feb. 27, and speaks overall to the stock's defensive appeal. CBS's recent solid financial results (with earnings per share in the fourth quarter surpassing expectations by $0.13 at $0.60) and enhanced shareholder returns continue to underscore our positive position on the stock.
Certainly we have been high on CBS since it parted ways with Viacom (VIA) in 2005, although our favorites in the Media and Entertainment industry have been News Corp. (NWS/A) and Walt Disney (DIS), which are suggested holdings in the Briefing.com Active Portfolio.
Just Monday, CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves said at an investment conference that this summer's "upfront" period - when television networks sell commercial time in advance of the fall season - is on track to generate stronger ad prices than in 2006. He also said that CBS will benefit from a move to secure cash compensation from cable companies in exchange for rights to retransmit signals of local stations on cable systems.
On a related note, Briefing.com recently downgraded the Consumer Discretionary Sector to Underweight.
--Christine Marie Nielsen, Briefing.com

Labels: CBS, CBS Corp.

ABM Industries Inc. (NYSE:ABM - News) shares rose Tuesday after the San Francisco-based facility services contractor reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $8.7 million, or 18 cents a share, up from $4 million, or 8 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 5.5% to $703.5 million from $666.6 million. ABM forecast fiscal second-quarter earnings of 28 cents to 32 cents, and raised its fiscal 2007 forecast to a range of $1.04 to $1.08 a share, or $1.12 to $1.16 a share excluding items.
Accuride Corp.'s (NYSE:ACW - News) fourth-quarter earnings fell slightly to $14.3 million, or 41 cents a share, from $14.9 million, or 43 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales at the Evansville, Ind., supplier of commercial vehicle components rose to $344.9 million from $297.7 million a year earlier, due to increased demand in the commercial vehicle industry and the partial pass-through of rising raw material costs. Analysts, on average, expected the company to earn 29 cents a share, according to Thomson Financial. For 2007, the company expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization of $115 million to $135 million.
ADC Telecommunications (NasdaqGS:ADCT - News) reported first-quarter net earnings of $3.6 million, or 3 cents a share. During the same period a year ago, ADC posted a net loss of $1.8 million, or 2 cents a share. Earnings from continuing operations were $9.4 million, or 8 cents a share. A year ago, the loss from continuing operations was $1.3 million, or a penny a share. The provider of communications network infrastructure products and services posted revenue of $297.2 million vs. $272.8 million.
AES Corp. (NYSE:AES - News) was upped to overweight from equal-weight by Lehman Bros., though its price target was held at $24. "We like AES' 10% free cash yield and discount valuation to independent power producers. We believe investors have over-reacted to AES for its delay in filing the 10-K and its global earnings mix in the current environment," the broker said.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
Ann Taylor Stores (NYSE:ANN - News) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Banc of America Securities.
Bankrate (NasdaqGS:RATE - News) was upgraded to above average from average at Caris & Co.
Barrier Therapeutics Inc. (NasdaqGM:BTRX - News) said it has entered an agreement with Novartis AG under which Novartis' consumer health division will promote Barrier Therapeutics' Vusion treatment for diaper dermatitis to pediatricians in the U.S. Under the agreement, which runs through 2008, Barrier will pay Novartis a flat fee for each sales call made to a pediatrician.
Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL - News) said it initiated a limited voluntary recall of from distribution centers and retail shelves in the U.S. and specific other countries of 12 lots of ReNu MultiPlus lens care solution made at its plant in Greenville, S.C. because they contain an elevated level of trace iron. This may result in discoloration of the solution in some bottles, and the shelf life of the product may be shortened to less than its two-year expiration date, due to a potential loss of effectiveness over time. The company has received no reports of serious adverse events associated with these lots and believes virtually all of the affected product has already been used by consumers. The Rochester, N.Y.-based company has notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of this action. The company initiated a probe after receiving three customer reports of discolored solution. Bausch & Lomb does not expect the costs associated with this recall will have a significant impact on its financial results. The eye care company has struggled recently after it recalled its ReNu with MoistureLoc contact-lens solution due to an outbreak of eye-fungus infection. The company also released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and year and, citing a recall of its MoistureLoc contact lens solution, said its U.S. operations will be unprofitable.
Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Morgan Joseph.
Building Materials Holding Corp. (NYSE:BLG - News) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Sidoti & Co.
CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News) agreed to buy back about 47 million shares of CBS class B common stock through an accelerated share repurchase transaction. The media company said it intends to effect this repurchase today. This the $1.4 billion buyback is in connection with CBS's share repurchase program announced on Feb. 27. The cost of the repurchased shares is subject to adjustment, CBS said.
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (NasdaqGS:CHRT - News) backed is first-quarter earnings estimate of about $6 million, on revenue of about $324 million. The Milpitas, Calif., company will release first-quarter results on April 27.
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (NasdaqGM:CGPI - News) fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $4.83 million, or 28 cents a share, from $6.41 million, or 72 cents a share, a year earlier. The Newtown, Pa., pharmaceutical company said fourth-quarter revenue climbed to $13.2 million from $2.95 million, largely due to sales of Oracea, which totaled $9.7 million for the latest period. The drug, which treats inflammatory lesions of rosacea, was launched in the U.S. in July 2006. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, a fourth-quarter loss of 42 cents a share on revenue of $10.5 million.
Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC - News) chief financial officer says some subprime lenders will likely go belly up as a result of the current turmoil in the sector, but he stressed that the mortgage giant will pull through because of its broader business mix.
DaimlerChrysler (NYSE:DCX - News) stock jumped as Cerberus Capital Management emerged as the latest suitor for Chrysler after the private equity giant reportedly met with the struggling automaker to discuss a potential bid.
Datatrak International Inc. (NasdaqCM:DATA - News) shares gained after the company announced that it has been selected as the exclusive clinical trial technology platform by a unnamed multi-billion dollar North American pharmaceutical company. Cleveland-based Datatrak said the company was not previously a customer. Specifications and budgets related to the pending projects are not yet finalized, but Datatrak said multiple clinical trials are expected to begin in 2007.
Finisar Corp. (NasdaqGS:FNSR - News) reported pro forma third-quarter revenue of $107.5 million, up 16% from the year-ago period. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based optical equipment company said its results were preliminary due to its ongoing review of historical stock options grants.
First Consulting Group Inc. (NasdaqGM:FCGI - News), the Long Beach, Calif., provider of outsourcing, consulting and systems-implementation and -integration services to health-related industries, delayed releasing its fourth-quarter and full-year financial results by a week, to March 13. In a statement, FCGI said it needed the extra time to complete tax-related analysis regarding how to apply certain net-operating-loss carry-forwards. "The analysis is not expected to impact the company's pre-tax operating results in any period," First Consulting said.
Fuel Tech Inc. (NasdaqGM:FTEK - News) shares gained after the Batavia, Ill.-based company reported a fourth-quarter net profit of $1.46 million, or 6 cents a share, down from $2.62 million or 11 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 11% to $18.1 million from $16.3 million in the same period last year. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 5 cents on revenue of $17.1 million. Fuel Tech forecast 2007 revenue of $90 million to $95 million.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: ABM, ACW, ADCT, AES, ANN, BLG, BOL, BTRX, BYD, CBS, CFC, CGPI, CHRT, DATA, DCX, FCGI, FNSR, FTEK, MO, RATE

Brocade (NasdaqGS:BRCD - News) reported fiscal first-quarter earnings tripled on 32% higher revenue.

CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News) swung to a fourth-quarter profit from a year-earlier loss, raised its dividend 10% and plans to buy back up to $1.5 billion of stock
CDI Corp. (NYSE:CDI - News) said it earned $6.8 million, or 34 cents a share, in the fourth quarter, up from $3.3 million, or 16 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. The Philadelphia-based staffing company said revenue rose to $321 million from $290.7 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were forecasting earnings of 28 cents a share on revenue of $311.2 million. "A healthy capital spending environment,plus our current pipeline of new business wins, could produce organic revenue growth in the range of 7% to 9% for 2007," CEO Roger Ballou said in a statement. CDI is expecting first-quarter revenue growth of 7% to 9%.
Cogent Inc., (NasdaqGS:COGT - News) the South Pasadena, Calif., provider of fingerprint-biometric services, reported fourth-quarter net income fell 34% as revenue decreased 8.5%.
HealthExtras Inc.'s (NasdaqGS:HLEX - News) fourth-quarter net income rose 94% as the Rockville, Md., pharmacy-benefits-management company's revenue more than doubled to $396.2 million. For 2007, the company sees earnings of $1 to $1.06 a share on revenue of $1.8 billion.
Herbalife Ltd.'s (NYSE:HLF - News) fourth-quarter net income rose 39% on 19% higher sales.
Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NasdaqGS:MRVL - News) posted preliminary fourth-quarter net revenue of $622 million compared with $489 million during the year-ago period.
RadioShack (NYSE:RSH - News)reported fourth-quarter net income of 62 cents a shae, up from 38 cents in the year-earlier period. Revenue was $1.46 billion compared with $1.67 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been estimating 43 cents on revenue of $1.47 billion.
Superior Energy Services Inc. (NYSE:SPN - News) fourth-quarter earnings more than tripled as revenue at the Harvey, La.-based provider of oilfield services and equipment rose to $319.1 million vs. $188 million. The year-ago results were hurt by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
TNS Inc. (NYSE:TNS - News) swung to a fourth-quarter net loss of 28 cents a share from earnings of 6 cents a share. Excluding charges the loss was 13 cents a share. The Reston, Va.-based provider of the data communications services posted revenue of $74.4 million vs. $65.6 million.

Published By MarketWatch

Labels: BRCD, CBS, CDI, COGT, HLEX, HLF, MRVL, RSH, SPN, TNS

Labels: CBS, LCAPA, MA, PCLN, PXR, SNDA, SVM, TEVA, TWX, WYN

Out in the Open: Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT - News), Lamar (NASDAQ: LAMR - News), Clear Channel (NYSE: CCO - News) and CBS (NYSE: CBS - News)
Although Cramer has often said that old media is dying, the oldest advertisements, billboards, are " coming back with a vengeance," because they are on the street where they cannot be avoided and are going digital. Daktronics is up 165%, but Cramer recommends buying it because the company "owns the market" in digital billboards, which he believes is the fastest growing form of advertising after the internet. The company also produces scoreboards for sports events. Cramer thinks Lamar is a better acquisition than CBS and Clear Channel, " because it is a pure play and is "going digital faster than any other company."

Safeway's Secret (NYSE: SWY - News)
Since many of the obvious holiday stocks are "played out" Cramer suggested a good oblique strategy for benefitting from the season by investing in Safeway which, in addition to running great stores, owns the $4-5 billion greeting card business, Blackhawk, whose products are sold by Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS - News), Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL - News) iTunes, MasterCard (NYSE: MA - News), Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN - News), Home Depot (NYSE: HD - News) and Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD - News). Not many people are aware that Safeway owns Blackhawk, but when this is no longer a secret, the stock should rise, comments Cramer. In addition, Safeway's supermarkets are "financially sound enough to add a half-billion dollars to its buyback program last Friday and offer a dividend," and he would get into the stock before its analyst meeting on Tuesday.
CEO Interview: David Pyott of Allergan (NYSE: AGN - News)
David Pyott discussed the company's developing program for neuropathic pain and its rapid growth in the opthalmology sector. "The great position we have is that Allergan is the largest company in the world in the medical aesthetics space," he said, noting the popularity of breast implants, Botox and Juviderm among plastic surgery customers. Pyott also mentioned an upcoming trial between Juviderm and Medicis' Restylane to see which treatment customers like better and lasts longer. After the interview, Cramer commented that Thomas Weisel Partners' downgrade of Allergan was unfair, and that he would back up the truck as soon as the stock's price dips.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AAPL, AGN, BKS, CBS, CCO, DAKT, HD, Jim Cramer, JWN, LAMR, MA, Mad Money, SHLD, SWY

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
GuessInc. (NYSE:GES - News) Jan 70.0. GES' PowerRating is 6.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - News) Jan 60.0. NVS' PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC - News) Jan 55.0. BAC's PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
FrontlineLtd. (NYSE:FRO - News) Jan 35.0. FRO's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ:ORCL - News). ORCL's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggestsan extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News). CBS' PowerRating is 6.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
EMC Corp. (NYSE:EMC - News). EMC's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BAC, CBS, EMC, FRO, GES, NVS, ORCL

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
GuessInc. (NYSE:GES - News) Jan 70.0. GES' PowerRating is 6.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - News) Jan 60.0. NVS' PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC - News) Jan 55.0. BAC's PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
FrontlineLtd. (NYSE:FRO - News) Jan 35.0. FRO's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ:ORCL - News). ORCL's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggestsan extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News). CBS' PowerRating is 6.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
EMC Corp. (NYSE:EMC - News). EMC's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BAC, CBS, EMC, FRO, GES, NVS, ORCL

TiVo Inc. Tuesday unveiled plans to expand Internet video that can be shown on TVs through its DVRs.
Alviso-based TiVo (NASDAQ:TIVO - News) said its TiVoCast system now has programming partnerships with CBS Interactive, part of CBS Corp. (NYSE:CBS - News) Reuters Group plc (NASDAQ: RTRSY - News) and business magazine Forbes to bring their video content to TV.
It will also offer a Home Movies Service, in partnership with Redwood City-based One True Media Inc., that allows sharing of home videos by sending them directly to TV sets.
TiVo's new service is expected to be offered by the end of the year, but requires an upgrade to the TiVo Desktop software. Some subscribers already use this to view photos from the Web and listen to Internet radio. It, will cost $24.95 for new users and will be a free upgrade for current users.
The service will only work with downloaded videos that are not copy-protected. It can't handle videos that use San Jose-based Adobe Systems Inc.'s (NASDAQ: ADBE - News) Flash technology, which is becoming the most common way to distribute video on the Internet.
San Bruno-based YouTube Inc., which has been acquired by Mountain View-based Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG - News), uses Flash for its popular video-sharing Web site.
Neither will the services reportedly be available to TiVos that are hooked up through DirecTV Group Inc.'s (NYSE: DTV - News) satellite service.
TiVo has 4.4 million subscribers but its growth has been slowed by competition from cheaper DVRs offered by cable and satellite services.
Published November 14, 2006 by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journa

Labels: ADBE, Adobe Systems, CBS, CBS Interactive, DirecTV, DTV, GOOG, Google, Reuters Group, RTRSY, Tivo