Google Launches Knol: MediaBytes with Shelly Palmer July 24, 2008

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Watch Shelly’s commentary on GOOGLE (NASD: GOOG) launching Knol and the culture of Mountain View.

The NEW YORK TIMES (NYSE: NYT) reported a net income of $21.1 million for the second quarter, down from $118.4 million from the second quarter last year. Despite major efforts to cut costs, the Times continues to lose money. In an effort to raise revenue, the Times will increase its news stand price to $1.50.

ELECTRONIC ARTS (NASD: ERTS) has signed a deal with Hollywood talent agency UTA. The goal is to turn more video games into movies and TV shows. Currently, EA has a movie version of “The Sims” in the works with Fox, as well as an animated Sims series in development.

FCC commissioners have reached a tentative deal that will approve the SIRIUS (NASD: SIRI)-XM (NASD: XMSR) merger. Commissioner Tate is expected to cast the deciding vote in favor of the merger, after specific details are resolved. If everything goes as planned, Sirius and XM could have joint units on the market before the winter holidays, a traditionally strong market period for satellite radio.

MICROSOFT’s (NASD: MSFT) Head of Online Business, Kevin Johnson, is leaving Redmond for JUNIPER NETWORKS. Johnson, who led Microsoft’s effort to acquire Yahoo, was in charge of overseeing Window’s operating system, Windows Live, and the company’s online services. Microsoft is expected to split Johnson’s team into two separate divisions, one focusing on Windows and the other on web presence.