Media Roundup: Media Companies to Sell Ads on YouTube, MSNBC to Fill 10 p.m. Time Slot, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Big media companies can now sell their own ads on YouTube -- In order to satisfy some larger content providers, YouTube will begin allowing media companies to sell advertising inventory for their videos on YouTube. Currently only a handful of large media companies, such a CBS, are allowed to sell their own ads. Previously, YouTube would handle ad sales and pay a share to the content provider. [Source: TechCrunch]

MSNBC to fill 10 p.m. time slot -- In an effort to build on election momentum, MSNBC announced that it is seeking to add a third prime-time show to fill the 10 p.m. time slot. Currently, a repeat of Countdown with Keith Olbermann runs during the hour. Since Election Day, the channel is third place after CNN and Fox News among total viewers, but first among young viewers in prime time since Election Day. No host or format has been announced. [Source: New York Times]

Monty Python sees boost in sales from YouTube -- The British comedy troupe has posted content on YouTube for free to help drive sales of DVDs. Attached to the videos is a note asking viewers to support the group by purchasing DVD in return for the free content. Since the content was posted, Monty Python's shot to No. 2 on Amazon's Movies & TV bestsellers list. [Source: Mashable]

Playboy consolidating Web and print -- Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine is rumored to be consolidating print and Web operations. As part of the move the company with shut down its New York City office and move all operations to Chicago. [Source: New York Post]

Is Wired in trouble? -- According to Silicon Alley Insider, Wired magazine's February issue is the thinnest in recent memory leading to speculation about the overall health of the technology magazine. Ad pages are well below the normal 1:1 ratio, and have dropped 47% from January 2007. [Source: Silicon Alley Insider]

Apple posts record forth quarter profits -- Fueled by iPod sales, Apple has posted a record forth quarter profit. Even amid the recession, Apple moved 22.7 million iPods and 4.4 million iPhones. The company's $1.78 a share earnings exceeded analysts estimates of $1.39 a share. [Source: Los Angeles Times]