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Your Next Cable TV Provider Could Be Google or Apple

Something big is going down in Kansas City. Google is offering lightning-fast Internet and television at ridiculous prices. And it's only a matter of time before Apple disrupts cable the way it redefined the music and smartphone industries.

Savings Experiment: Super Bowl Parties

If competing with hundreds of strangers to snag a bar stool to catch a glimpse of the Super Bowl doesn't appeal, you're not alone. In fact, your friends all probably hope you'll be the one to throw a Super Bowl party! The pros are that you'll get to sit comfortably, eat and drink, be around only people you like, and control the TV remote. On the off-chance you bet on a losing team in your office pool, there are ways to plan a party without blowing all your money.

Savings Experiment: Video Games

Any legit gamer knows that the billion dollar gaming industry has to compete for your business. There are stores and websites that specialize in trading, discount and rentals, as well as plenty of free online games and downloadable titles. When certain games are released, they may be nearly impossible to buy cheap. Still, you may be able to beat the industry at their own game.

Old TV Stars Fight Over Merchandise

The shows have been off the air for years, but the battle continues. Stars from television classics, including The Partridge Family and Happy Days, are suing their former studios over royalty money -- for toys, lunch boxes, board games, books and even slot machines -- that they claim is long overdue.

How Taryn Manning Learned Financial Survival

It's not enough to be a movie star and a singer. Taryn Manning learned early on that she also needs to be a business woman to keep afloat financially -- and to earn enough to keep doing what she enjoys. Here's her guide to saving money and boosting her income.

My 3 Cents: Fix It or Nix It? A Gadget Conundrum

Your favorite gadget just broke, and is no longer under warranty. Should you repair it or replace it? DailyFinance consumer advisor Regina Lewis examines the best options for your ongoing consumer electronics happiness.

Should Netflix Stream Its Video Business Into the U.K.?

Netflix is enjoying a period of rapid expansion, riding on the popularity of DVD-by-mail and online video streaming. The question for investors is: What's next? Netflix has signaled that it plans to expand abroad, and the U.K. is a likely target. But is Britain ready for Netflix?

As TV Sales Lag, Philips Tunes Into Healthcare

Earlier this week, Royal Philips Electronics warned that its television business would post a first-quarter loss. While TV sales have declined, the company says it sees a growing opportunity in healthcare. Greg Sebasky, CEO of Philips's North American operations, discusses the trends driving the growth -- and the challenges ahead.

Vizio Widens Lead in U.S. LCD Television Sales

Vizio widened its lead in the U.S. liquid-crystal-display television market in the fourth quarter, according to a new report from research firm iSuppli. Samsung and Sony lost market share from a year ago, although Sony gained ground from the third quarter.

Watch Out, Netflix: Amazon Launches Videostreaming Service

Is the world's largest online retailer getting ready to challenge movie-subscription service Netflix? Amazon.com on Tuesday unveiled a videostreaming service -- available to its Prime members at no additional cost -- that could position it for battle.

'Sesame Street' Coming to New Children's Museum

"Sesame Street" will soon have a place in the National Children's Museum. The creators of the long-running children's show are developing an interactive area at the facility, slated to open near Washington D.C. in 2013.

Hulu Gets 'The Daily Show' and 'The Colbert Report' Back

Hulu reached an agreement with Viacom that will once again allow the video site to air episodes of Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" and Stephen Colbert's "The Colbert Report," 11 months after the shows were pulled from the site.

Is Piers Morgan CNN's Savior? So Far, the Answer Is No

So far, at least, Piers Morgan shows no signs of being CNN's next big star. His ratings have declined steadily, falling below that of his predecessor, Larry King, in his first two weeks on the air. But it may be too early to make a fair comparison.

In This Corner, Netflix. In the Other Corner. . .Amazon?

Netflix, whose DVD-by-mail service hastened the demise of several video rental chains, may soon find itself under siege from Amazon. The world's largest online retailer appears to be on the verge of launching its own unlimited movie and TV-show streaming service.

Beyond TVs: Vizio Now Sees Big Growth in Small Screens

Now the No. 1. U.S. seller of LCD TVs, Vizio is setting its sights on the smartphone and tablet computer markets. But will its low-cost business model translate to the mobile electronics market? That's not a sure bet, but it'll be interesting to watch.

Holiday Consumer-Electronics Sales Fell 5%

U.S. consumers spent 5% less on consumer electronics during the last holiday season compared to a year earlier, according to a new report from NPD Group. Even at discounted prices, Americans bought fewer flat-screen televisions and desktop computers, as well as lower-end digital cameras and MP3 players, according to the report.

Nielsen Report: Many DVR Viewers Play the Commercials

Here's a nice surprise for television advertisers: Digital video recorders are actually increasing, not decreasing, the number of viewers who are watching the commercials. Nearly half of the DVR owners in the critical 18- to 49-year-old age group watch the commercials, which boosts ratings, Nielsen says.

Personalized Ads: Not Just for the Web Anymore

Soon, the Internet won't be the only medium to offer advertisers the ability to closely target specific types of customers. Starting in August or September, DirecTV plans to launch a new personalized advertising service for television. Can it bring the scope of TV to highly targeted ads?

Palins Boost TV Ratings Over Thanksgiving Week

Bristol Palin helped boost the viewership for "Dancing with the Stars" when she made it to the final round, while her mother's show, "Sarah Palin's Alaska" got half a million more viewers in the same week.