40cakes | TV/Innernetz Nooz

- Vivendi's Universal Music Group told Apple it will not renew its annual contract to sell tracks and albums via iTunes, according to reports. The world's largest music label is working on a short-term sales agreement instead that would give it more flexibility on pricing and exclusivity. Universal's reluctance to maintain the status quo is indicative of the music industry's discomfort with Apple's dominance in the digital retail space, according to sources. Everyone loves what Apple has done in creating a new online revenue stream, but no one wants iTunes to be the only game in town.

Music industry: Waaaaa, nobody wants to play with us! But we give them 15 variations on the same type of sound and charge them $18 for a CD with one good song on it! Why is everyone downloading music instead? *cries*
Apple: Dude, I have an idea. We'll throw a party, right? And at the party, we'll give people these really adorable little music players. And then, we'll give them software for their computers, and the software not only updates and organizes the music players, but it's linked to a store where they can conveniently and legally pay to download music!
Music industry: Hey, this party is awesome! I'm on a comeback! People want to play again!
Apple: Isn't that great?
Music industry: Fuck you, Jobs.

- As they said they would during upfront season, Cartoon Network is moving forward with production on its first live-action series, officially titled Out of Jimmy's Head. Based on Cartoon Network's original TV movie Re-Animated, which bowed December 2006, Out of Jimmy's Head, continues the story of 12-year-old Jimmy Roberts, who in an emergency brain transplant received that of a famous cartoonist's, which effects his daily life at school and his friends, some of which are cartoon characters. Currently slated to premiere fall 2007 on Cartoon Network, the cast includes the return of Dominic Janes as Jimmy, and noted voice actors Carlos Alazraqui, Tom Kenny, Ellen Greene and Brian Posehn.

- Under a license from Lucasfilm, designer Mark Ecko Enterprises, also a self-professed Star Wars 'fanboy,' has put together a new limited-edition collection of Star Wars-inspired apparel. Scheduled to be in stores for holiday 2007, the Ecko line of Star Wars items, including the Hoth Parka, Fett for Real sweatshirt, a stone Yoda graphic t-shirt, and the "Ultimate Vader" hoodie.