Stock Trek: 7 Companies that Behave Like 'Star Trek' Aliens
Whether your investing personality is aggressively "warp speed" or a more conservative "raise shields," here are seven stocks we like that resemble the aliens of "Star Trek."
Viacom
Cablevision Sues Viacom Over Fees For Low-Rated Networks
Cablevision has accused Viacom in an antitrust lawsuit of forcing it to pay for more than a dozen low-rated cable networks in order to get access to Viacom's more popular channels such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central, the latest flare up between distributors and program makers.
Why Viacom Will Never Be Great Again
If you've been noticing a little bit less of SpongeBob on Nickelodeon, Snooki on MTV, or Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central, it's by design: Viacom is squeezing more commercials into every hour of programming. That's the bad news. The worse news is that it's not working.
Wall Street Watch Tuesday: Apple is the Greatest of All-Time
There has never been a more valuable company than Apple right now. Worrywarts point to the story of MIcrosoft as a cautionary tale, but there are big differences.
10 Surprising Brands That We're Starting to Love Again
Popularity can be fickle: One day America loves your brand; the next, you're passe. But every year brings some surprising rebounds, and you won't believe some of the companies that made 2012's list for most improved images in the eyes of U.S. consumers.
DirecTV Gets SpongeBob Back As Viacom Spat Is Settled
Viacom and DirectTV said Friday that they have settled a dispute that had cut off access to Viacom's channels for the satellite TV service's subscribers.
Wall Street Tells Viacom: Turn Off the Nickelodeon Netflix Stream
Television may be evil, but it's not evil enough for Wall Street. Analysts are worried that ratings for Viacom's children's TV leader Nickelodeon are in danger over its friendly streaming video deal with Netflix.
Wal-Mart Previews 'Disc to Digital' Movie Service
Wal-Mart previewed its "Disc to Digital" service for converting DVDs into an online library on Wednesday. Based on my experience, I'd give it a six out of 10.
Streaming with the Enemy: Viacom and Google's Love-Hate Story
There's no point in letting a $1 billion lawsuit get in the way of a good thing. Even though Viacom and Google's YouTube are still embroiled in a five-year legal tussle over video clips, the two are hooking up in a digital streaming deal.
SpongeBob's Big Problem: An Ocean of Streaming Video
The yellow fellow who lives in a pineapple under the sea -- and all his Nickelodeon pals -- are suddenly getting kicked in the SquarePants by the on-demand video revolution. Can Viacom adjust the new order of children's entertainment before Nick's ratings sink to the ocean floor?
Why Disney Will Never Be Great Again
Disney appears to be in a good groove lately, but we have to hold off on the happily-ever-after finish: The Mouse House, weakened by years of lackluster in-house animation offerings, confronts a series of obstacles unlike anything faced in its past, from Legoland to YouTube.
What SpongeBob Has Absorbed About Money
Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, wouldn't take money advice from the prattling poriferan. "He works 97 hours a week; he gets paid for 40," notes Kenny. The modern day Mel Blanc doesn't give himself much credit for his own personal finance smarts either -- but maybe he should.
Week in Brief: Gold Shines, Netflix Flies, Data Plans Shrink
This may have been a holiday-shortened trading week, but there were plenty of financial nuggets that kept stocks moving. Let's go over some of the news from Netflix, Verizon, Immucor and more that shaped this abridged week in the markets.
YouTube Draws Nearly 40% of Online Video Visits
YouTube has been a powerhouse in the online video arena since well before Google bought it. YouTube dominates the sector, accounting for nearly four out of 10 online video viewing sessions in the U.S. in May. What's still a question is how much the video-sharing site will add to Google profits.
How to Turn Teen Girls Into Financial Prodigies
America's urban schools don't do nearly enough to teach kids about personal finance and investing, and the effects permeate through America's minority communities. The ING-Girls Inc. Investment Challenge changing that, one virtual portfolio and one girl at a time.