Tom Cheredar

I’m staff writer and lead media reporter for VentureBeat. Typically, my focus is on tech companies, products, and services related to music, movies, books, TV shows, comic books, digital magazines, and pretty much anything else that’s considered “consumable media.”  I do spend a lot of time covering YouTube, Spotify, Apple/iTunes, and Amazon (among others), but not just from a consumer perspective. I want to drill into the business-end of media companies as they navigate through the jungle of content licensing, fierce competition, and outdated tech legislation. I support VentureBeat’s ethics statement, and I don’t accept gifts from companies I cover, which includes hardware or paid services that frequently pop up in my reporting.

 

Prior to VentureBeat, I was a frequent contributor to Geeks of Doom where I did on-site coverage of events like Comic-Con. Before that, I worked at a handful of local newspapers around Nashville, Tenn. (Perhaps this explains why I consider Spider Jerusalem’s contribution to journalism on par with Marshall McLuhan’s.) I have a degree in journalism from MTSU, and currently live in Austin, Texas.

 

You can contact me via my staff email or through Twitter.   ***Please send all pitches to tips@venturebeat.com***

stories by Tom Cheredar

Hulu still attracting interest from would-be buyers Amazon, Yahoo, & Guggenheim Digital Media

While Hulu's owners officially took the streaming video service off the market last year, would-be buyers are still showing plenty of interest.

Barnes & Noble reminds us Nook doesn’t have in-app purchases by telling us it’s coming

Barnes & Noble subsidy Nook Media announced today that apps for its Nook devices would soon gain the ability to offer customers in-app purchases.

Amazon Prime is getting an original Zombieland TV show

The latest original program to get a greenlight by Amazon is a TV show based on hit movie Zombieland, the company announced today.

Apple buys indoor-GPS startup WifiSlam for $20M

As if Apple's push to get all your data into the cloud weren't enough, the company now wants to find out exactly where you are while indoors, according to its latest acquisition.

Bill Gates’ charity is offering people $100K grants to invent a next-generation condom #truestory

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a charitable organization that you've undoubtedly heard mentioned a few hundred times between news segments on NPR -- and probably the last group you'd think of when it comes to revolutionary condom inventions.

Boneheaded congressman brags about getting money for supporting CISPA

As a member of congress, it's one thing to support a bad piece of tech policy because you don't fully understand the Internet but it's quite another when you brag about all the money you're making on the side from that position.

Want to watch every episode of Star Trek for free? Hulu makes it so.

Non sportsfans probably aren't that excited about the onslaught of collegiate basketball games during this month's March Madness tournament, but thanks to Hulu there is another option available to occupy your time.

Ad-tech firm Marin Software’s shares rise 26% in IPO

Ad-tech startup Marin Software made its public debut this morning on the NYSE, netting a higher than expected price in early trading.

Streamweaver’s updated iOS app makes recording live, multi-angle videos crazy easy (exclusive)

Social video startup Streamweaver released a major update to its free iOS app today that makes it even easier for people to record a single video using the combined angles from each iOS device's camera.

HBO chief hints at bundling HBO Go streaming with broadband

HBO's executive leadership seems locked on keeping access to the premium cable network exclusive to cable and satellite TV subscribers, the same isn't necessarily true for its HBO Go streaming service.

Accel’s massive new $475M fund is all about startups in Europe & Israel

It's a good day for European and Israeli startups seeking funding, as Accel Partners announced a new $475 million fund today for early-stage tech companies.

Pinterest acquihires local recommendations startup Livestar

Pin board social network Pinterest has just acquired local recommendation service Livestar, the company announced today.

ESPN teams with Kid President to grab digital March Madness fans (video)

Rather than be bummed out that CBS has exclusive rights to stream all the March Madness college basketball games this year, ESPN has enlisted the help of YouTube star Robbie Novak, aka Kid President.

Yahoo steals back 5 old employees with Jybe acquisition

Yahoo has purchased social trending startup Jybe today, and along with it a slew of former key employees that previously worked for the company.

Amazon rolls out ‘Send to Kindle’ button for news sites & WordPress blogs

In what's surely a win for lovers of long-form journalism (or needlessly long rant-filled blog posts), Amazon has just rolled out a new "Send to Kindle" button for online publications to embed into their websites.

Yahoo’s YouTube? Yahoo may buy a controlling stake in Dailymotion

Yahoo is rumored to be in talks to buy a large stake in France Telecom-owned video site Dailymotion.

Hulu’s neglected Apple TV app gets a major overhaul

After more than six months of neglect, Hulu's design team has finally started paying some attention to its Apple TV app.