Cox Interactive Media sells off or shutters all but one of its national Web sites. After three years of launching a bevy of sites, the Atlanta-based subsidiary of Cox Enterprises will focus on local portals. As publishers continue to investigate online business models, Media General starts an interactive division that will focus on business strategy, product development and interactive media operations. Meanwhile, Freedom Communications splintered its interactive group, returning fiscal control to Freedom's traditional media business divisions. PImobile,delivering headlines, weather forecasts and traffic information to Web-enabled cellular phones.
Visitors can access breaking news, photo slide shows and in-depth coverage of events.
To help ensure its success in the Internet arena, The New York Times Co. offers its employees affordable personal computers, printers and unlimited Internet access for home use through a program with PeoplePC Inc. of San Francisco. Industry analysts speculate that Tribune Co. may be building its own network of national sites that it will either operate by itself or as a team effort with Knight Ridder . NBC and Tribune Co. make their broadcast feeds available to The FeedRoom , a fledging broadband news service. Newspapers battle with the Associated Press over whether the organization's agreements with portals and other online-only destinations damage publishers' online readership. The Boston Phoenix taps Rhinowire to format entertainment listings and other content, and beam them to cell phone users.