"New media" has taken another hit, but it appears to be only a flesh wound. No, we aren't speaking of the online world, but of a previous "new media": satellite TV. For the first time ever, DirecTV lost U.S. subscribers over a quarterly period

If we've learned anything about branded TV entertainment, it's that it can sometimes score in big ways. I'm not necessarily talking about entertainment shows. Just look at many European sports -- such as soccer, auto racing and cycling. Recently, General Motors spent big money -- some $31 million a year -- to get major jersey signage on one of the most storied soccer teams of the world, Manchester United.

Complain about NBC and the Olympics all you want -- then look at the bottom line. Tape delays have again been a big issue for consumers. Seems like this issue is an additional sport of the games. But "seems" is the important word: We now have more social media areas in which to vent.