DJ Z-Trip lends both his scratches and likeness to ‘DJ Hero’ video game

DJ Z-Trip lends scratches to ‘DJ Hero’ video game

‘This is It’; New Michael Jackson single debuts online for global audience

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s estate is acknowledging that Paul Anka co-wrote the pop singer’s first posthumous single, “This Is It.”

New media guru Sorrell urges Olympic sports to learn from YouTube, Pop Idol or lose fans

COPENHAGEN — The Olympic movement needs to learn from the likes of YouTube or risk losing young viewers for life, IOC members were told Monday.

Readin’ and watchin’: NY publisher releases Jude Deveraux romance-mystery novel as video book

NEW YORK — The latest novel from best-selling romance author Jude Deveraux isn’t exactly a book. “Promises” is a reading and viewing experience, a digital text in which videos not only complement the narrative but add to it.

New scrutiny after video shows NJ elementary school kids singing President Obama’s praises

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A school for kindergartners through second graders in this comfortable Philadelphia suburb has become the latest target of accusations by conservatives that schoolchildren are being indoctrinated to idolize President Barack Obama.

Beatlemania returns with rollout of Fab 4’s remastered CDs, video game, luring new generation

LONDON — Beatlemania is back with the rollout Wednesday of the Fab Four’s remastered CDs and first-ever video game, reaching out to a whole new generation decades after their parents — and even grandparents — first succumbed.

Beatlemania back as Britain celebrates B-Day in the place where it all began

LONDON — The Beatles are back, sounding better than ever, and Britain is embracing them one more time.

Here comes the fun: The Fab 4 make their video-game debut in ‘Beatles: Rock Band’

“The Beatles: Rock Band” has produced more buzz than any video game since the last “Grand Theft Auto.” When Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr took the stage at Microsoft’s Xbox press conference at E3 this summer, they were greeted with a standing ovation.

Review: ‘Guitar Hero 5′ makes kicking out the jams easier than ever

A few suggestions for the folks who acquire the songs for “Guitar Hero”:

Country music industry ready for Shania Twain as she slowly steps back into the spotlight

WASHINGTON — Country music singer Shania Twain is slowly stepping back into the spotlight after the break up of her marriage to Robert “Mutt” Lange in May 2008.

Big screen vs. small: Cinemas get a remake to compete for growing ranks of online video fans

CHICAGO — Today, young movie-watchers look increasingly like Molly O’Connor. A junior at the University of Dallas, she still goes to the cinema occasionally, but is often just as happy to hunker down on a bed or a couch with friends to watch a downloaded movie on a laptop that’s perched on a nearby desk or a chair.

AP sources: DirecTV in talks with TBS, TNT cable networks to put shows online

DirecTV Group Inc. is in talks with the TBS and TNT cable networks to offer their shows online, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

Roku Internet video box adds first live feed: Major League Baseball games

NEW YORK — Roku says its pioneering Internet video set-top box is adding its first live feed, from Major League Baseball.

Viacom: Ad outlook good despite 2nd-quarter profit drop on weak ad market, slow video games

NEW YORK — Viacom Inc. struck a hopeful note on advertising for the rest of the year even as the media conglomerate controlled by Sumner Redstone saw second-quarter profit plunge on weak ad markets, video game sales and box-office returns.

Viacom’s 2nd-quarter profit falls 32 percent on weak ad market, slow video game sales

NEW YORK — Viacom Inc. struck a hopeful note on advertising for the rest of the year even as the media conglomerate controlled by Sumner Redstone saw second-quarter profit plunge on weak ad markets, video game sales and box-office returns.

James Cameron and Peter Jackson discuss the future of film, 3-D technology at Comic Con

SAN DIEGO — “Titanic.” ”Lord of the Rings.” ”Aliens.” ”King Kong.” ”The Terminator.”

ESPN reporter Erin Andrews surreptitiously videotaped nude in hotel, video posted on Web

HARTFORD, Conn. — ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was secretly videotaped in the nude while she was alone in a hotel room, and the video was posted on the Internet, her attorney said.

CBS shakes up Boston radio properties, creating all-sports station and moving WBCN to Internet

BOSTON — A major shakeup on the Boston radio dial is marking the end of an era for one of the nation’s first progressive rock stations, which helped launch U2 and other prominent artists.

Comcast’s online video trial for cable subscribers grows to 23 networks

PHILADELPHIA — Seventeen more cable TV networks said Tuesday they are joining an online video trial by Comcast Corp., a move that tacitly acknowledges advertising isn’t enough to support shows streamed over the Internet.

Blockbuster hoping to close Netflix gap by piping video rentals on Internet to Samsung TVs

SAN FRANCISCO — Having been a step behind in the race to pipe entertainment from the Internet to TV screens, struggling video rental-chain Blockbuster Inc. is counting on a new partnership with Samsung Electronics America Inc. to regain ground on rival Netflix Inc.

Joost exits consumer online video business, to focus on serving businesses

Struggling online video startup Joost, begun with much fanfare in 2007 by the same people behind Skype and Kazaa, is restructuring its business after discovering that it can’t survive on advertising to fund its operations.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ viewed 8.5 million times on Web since pop star’s death

NEW YORK — People are clamoring to see Michael Jackson’s old videos in the wake of his death — especially “Thriller.”

Mormon-affiliated Brigham Young University lifts YouTube blockade, citing educational benefits

PROVO, Utah — Brigham Young University, the Mormon church school where students agree to live a chaste and virtuous life, has lifted its almost three-year policy of blocking access to YouTube.

HBO coming to the Internet: Time Warner, Comcast to start online video trials

PHILADELPHIA — Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corp. on Wednesday took concrete steps to bring cable television shows to the Internet — but only for paying cable subscribers.

India tackles Spider-Man: Hollywood is outsourcing more special effects work to India

MUMBAI, India — Outsourcing to India, long dominated by software engineering and back-office work, is expanding in new terrain: special effects for movies.

Harold Ramis says he’s glad he passed on directing ‘Super Mario Bros.’ movie

WASHINGTON — Harold Ramis has directed some of the most popular comedies of the past 30 years, including “Caddyshack,” ”Groundhog Day” and “Analyze This.” But his smartest career decision may have been rejecting one high-profile job.

Bustin’ loose: After 20 years, the ‘Ghostbusters’ crew returns _ in a video game

Movie comedies rarely lead to funny sequels. Take “Ghostbusters,” whose blockbuster success in 1984 led to “Ghostbusters II” five years later. Critics, fans and, reportedly, some of the cast felt let down by the result.

Hollywood movie producers embrace Digital 3-D; theater owners trying to catch up

SACO, Maine — To hear the folks in Hollywood talk about it, improved 3-D technology and the quality films that are quickly lining up behind it represent nothing short of a moviegoing revolution. Tell that to the folks who still live hours from the nearest 3-D-equipped theater.

Remaining Beatles come together to promote ‘Rock Band’ video game

LOS ANGELES — Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr came together to promote “The Beatles: Rock Band” video game.

Does she have the talent? Ultimate test for UK’s Susan Boyle as Saturday showdown looms

LONDON — Susan Boyle, the Scottish church volunteer whose soaring voice has taken her to TV fame in a matter of weeks, goes into the finals of “Britain’s Got Talent” on Saturday as the public wonders if she will crack under the pressure.

The Susan Boyle YouTube sensation: Cause for celebration, or a massive missed opportunity?

NEW YORK — The final act of the year’s biggest pop culture sensation will not be seen on TVs, beamed out to multiplexes or heard much on the airwaves. Well, at least not in America.