There has been much written (and rightly so) about the huge and inevitable impact that set-top-box data will have on the measurement of TV viewing. But for the purposes of this column, I’m more interested in some of the other promises of digital TV that leverage the return path to offer different and more personalized viewing experiences.

A few hours after speaking to David Verklin about his reasons for stepping down as CEO of Carat Americas — and having him convince me that his near-term goal was to simply take some time off before jumping feet first back into the media industry — I read a breaking story from a competing news organization that Verklin was already in talks to become CEO of Project Canoe, the cable industry’s not-so-top-secret initiative to finally get its addressable TV advertising act together. My first reaction — after doing one of those “Gee, I could’a had a V8″ smacks on my head — was, brilliant! My second thought was, “Why didn’t I see that?”

If memory serves me well, back in the mid-’50s two opposing media research forces were vying for hegemony over the naming and defining rights for the media term “a media market,” a physical piece of property that was defined by many characteristics, such as, number of people, homes, education, families, dwelling, income, boundaries, occupation, that would stretch continuously in many shapes and sizes across the United States. The two top contenders were ADI (audience of dominant influence) and DMA (designated marketing area).

You ever consider buying a Prius? They’re a little weird-looking and strangely quiet when stopped, but they’re pretty good to drive and the quiet at stops turns out to be more relaxing. Now how about VOD? VOD is video on demand, a hybrid of TV and DVR technology. VOD is noted for its large array of viewing choices from linear to on-demand only programming. Problem is, VOD didn’t get the Prius PR team. DVR and TiVo get all the good press, and traditional TV gets all the good TV advertising money.

Here’s more from the paper I wrote back in December for Herrick, Feinstein LLP. about everyone’s favorite topic d’jour: user-generated content.

As with last week’s TV Board, this one goes to context again. When speaking on a panel about out-of-home video, Joe Mandese — our esteemed moderator — asked us all if we felt there was anywhere that it is not appropriate to place screen-based media. Are there locations where screens just wouldn’t cut through or be acceptable to consumers?

In the last few weeks there has been a plethora of organizations announcing the creation and publication of “standards” for video formats and metrics. I’m all for evolving televisual platforms (television, broadband, mobile): deployment, formats, metrics and efficacy. My concern is that we, as a well-intentioned community, spend too much time formalizing that which is still in its primordial testing phase.

Last week it was announced by both TNS and GfK that the companies were seriously considering a merger to better compete in the global research marketplace, with a unitary board and TNS’ David Lowden as the CEO. If the two companies were to get together, what might it mean for television audience research in the United States? As someone who has worked closely with executives from both companies in the past year, I think the prospect is enticing for three reasons….

n the event you are among the 10.5 million who have requested converter coupons, and have still not installed your box, let me be the first to tell you to brace yourselves. I was absolutely stunned at the quality of picture, the sheer number of channels available, and the ease with which an old throwaway set can be reinvigorated for less than $20. This little gadget is NOT going to provide the windfall that many cable companies are counting on. The converter box will likely convert as many AWAY from cable, and back to good ole’ free TV, once word gets out.

I was asked to speak at on a panel today entitled “The New Kings of Media” hosted by Herrick, Feinstein LLP. This all stems from a paper that I wrote for them back in December about everyone’s favorite topic d’jour: user-generated content.