Deep linked video increases exposure, bandwidth costs

AOL and Microsoft video services are deep linking to public TV content, reports Dennis Haarsager via his Technology 360 blog, which allows users to access pubcasters' video while bypassing their home pages (and sponsor messages). The search engines generate much more traffic than sites can attract on their own, but "the desire to control content we produce runs deep within the television industry, so it's bound to stir things up as more people realize . . . how some video sites are accessing content," Haarsager writes. In addition, "bandwidth costs are going to be impacted by links you don't control." AOL includes advertising on its video search page but Microsoft, which added video search to its Windows Live Beta, does not for the time being.

Tomlinson to lose another broadcasting post?

A Senate panel is tabling President Bush's re-nomination of former CPB chair Kenneth Tomlinson to the Broadcasting Board of Governors in the wake of a damning probe into his actions as U.S. broadcast chief, Reuters reports (via the Washington Post). The BBG oversees government international programming like Voice of America, Radio Sawa and Radio and TV Marti. Tomlinson's current term as BBG chair ends when Congress adjourns later this year, but President Bush could re-install him without opposition with a recess appointment. Elsewhere, a Bloomberg columnist wonders "Why do preachy Republicans behave so badly?"

Will AIR help to rehab journalism's image?

Journalism thinkers hope WNET's "AIR: America’s Investigative Reports" gives "the profession a badly needed image boost," reports the New York Times. The weekly public affairs show, which debuts Friday, will showcase notable news investigations.