NPR's podcast year-end reviews

Published: Dec 21, 2006 2:42 p.m. ET

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FrankBarnako

A long time ago, radio stations and networks would spend time and money to create highly-produced audio documentaries of the year's big news stories. Not so much, these days.

But National Public Radio carries on the tradition with its annual "Memorable Moments." NPR, through the Web, said it will offer a compilation of what it calls some of its "most memorable and moving" stories of the year. It includes feature stories, first-person documentaries and commentaries from both the networks reporters and contributions from local stations. A new feature this year is "Memorable Music 2006," highlighting live musical performances from NPR and member stations.

NPR said the year-end wrap-ups said the programs will be streamed and available for podcast download today.

Holiday Webcasts

Santa Claus has a podcast.

So does Queen Elizabeth. Buckingham Palace announced you can subscribe to her annual message at www.royal.gov.uk.

No word yet on a Pope podcast, but Radio Vatican will Webcast Christmas Eve service from Saint Peter's Basilica at http://www.radiovaticana.org/CoorPro/entrasmisspec.htm.

At the White House, "Barney's Holiday Extravaganza" video is posted at http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/2006/barneycam.html.

Why NBC calls poker a sport

Right there, across the menu bar at NBCSports.com: poker -- just to the right of "Sunday Night Football."

It must have something to do with the announcement that for the next 52 weeks, six nights a week, the network will broadcast "Poker After Dark."

The shows will be hosted by Shana Hiatt, "The goddess of poker," according to the Web site. A news release described the venture: "Set in the back room of various casinos on the Vegas strip, 'Poker After Dark' gives viewers an intimate look inside a poker game usually reserved for the eyes of the professional poker players themselves." The shows are being produced by Eric Drache and Mori Eskandani, two pro players.

The site already has lots of video, and links to an online poker game where you can vie for a seat at a national tournament. You can bet the site will also have highlights from the weekly games, and maybe a podcast. iTunes has nearly 70 poker shows in its podcast directory.

Players who win the weekly "Poker After Dark" contests will take home $120,000, which may well be enough to get some of the game's big names in the games.

All in all, sounds like a seven-card-stud-fueled version of the World Wrestling Federation, which managed to bond "athletes" and the managers to create pots of gold.

Wasn't so long ago people asked whether wrestling was a sport.

Mr. Bush, it's Alec Baldwin for you

NBC's GE, -0.15% using VariTalk LLC to promote its "30 Rock" TV show. The push includes a Web site where you can plug in some information and create a script to be read over the phone or delivered by e-mail from the show's Alec Baldwin.

VariTalk has produced similar campaigns for "Snakes on a Plane" and "America's Next Top Model."

I sent my wife one of these messages, and she then created her own scripts for at least 5 of her friends. Now, that's viral!

The New York Times said Baldwin pre-recorded 500 names, as well as states, hobbies and interests to personalize the messages. Here's the Web site: http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/.

The headlines for Thursday, 12/21

Millions have watched uncensored Web's SNL sketch (NYT)

Labels sue AllofMP3.com for "massive infringement." (AP)

Why did founders exit YouTube-like NWS, +1.47% site? (News.com)

Get podcasts on your Zune MSFT, +0.49% (Feedyourzune.com)

WSJ DJ gets friendly with blogs. (WSJ)

Quote References

  • GE
    -0.04 -0.15%
  • NWS
    +0.20 +1.47%
  • MSFT
    +0.34 +0.49%

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