NPD Funworld Senior Account Mgr. Richard Ow Thurs. offered decidedly different take on Microsoft’s announcement about its Xbox debut results than NPD spokeswoman had provided only one day earlier (CED Dec 6 p2).

Dolby Labs has mounted major initiative to raise awareness of advanced audio capabilities of next-generation videogame consoles, we have learned.

XM and Sirius won’t pose “any kind of revenue threat” to AM and FM radio, so traditional radio stations shouldn’t be concerned about running ads for satellite radio service, industry analysts and radio executives said. Some radio chains, including Cox Radio and Buckley Bcstg., have refused to run XM ads because of concerns they may be helping future business rival. “It’s like any competitive arena,” Buckley spokesman said: “GM isn’t going to advertise Ford.” Cox Pres. Bob Neil agreed: “We're not going to allow them access to our air to try to further their cause, which is to put us out of business.”

As Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) named Philippe Erwin vp-interactive entertainment, company indicated it had every intention of playing role in current and next-generation videogame platforms. But at our deadline it was unclear whether company planned to move beyond licensing role in game arena to developing and publishing, as Hollywood competitors including Fox, Sony and Universal had done. WBCP said Erwin would be responsible for guiding overall sales and marketing initiatives related to use of Warner Bros.’ content in interactive media. Erwin team also will be responsible for managing development and production approval processes for each partner, company said. WBCP said Erwin would work with company’s New Media Div. to extend Warner Bros. interactive gaming strategies to online, wireless, other digital platforms. Erwin previously worked at Activision and, most recently, Universal Interactive Entertainment.

PlanetWolfenstein.com Web site was launched providing information on game Return to Castle Wolfenstein from Activision, Gray Matter Interactive Studios, id Software.

Top 3 search terms so far this holiday season at Shop@AOL are Sony PlayStation, Miniskirts and Harry Potter despite hype over GameCube and Xbox console launches this month, AOL’s shopping service said. In same announcement, KBToys.com/eToys Product Development and Mktg. Vp Scott Wilder said over his company’s “biggest holiday shopping weekend of the year, AOL brought us more traffic, more sales and more first-time buyers than any of our other strategic partners.”

FCC ruled that Time Warner Cable’s analog must carry obligations didn’t require cable company to carry Gemstar-TV Guide International’s electronic program guide (EPG). FCC said decision didn’t preclude companies from entering into commercial agreements that would involve carriage, and companies said they were in negotiations to that end. Commission used 3-pronged test to determine whether material carried in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of local broadcasts was program-related and thus required carriage: (1) Is information intended to be seen by same viewers as are watching main program? (2) Must information be available during same interval of time as main program? (3) Is information integral part of main program? Commission ruled 4-0 that answer to questions was “no” on all counts.

Dropping from first place to 3rd among videogames rented in week ended Dec. 2 was Konami’s PlayStation 2 (PS2) title Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, according to Video Software Dealers Assn. (VSDA). Game earned additional $550,000 for total of $2.22 million since it shipped Nov. 14. In first place for week was Grand Theft Auto 3, another PS2 title, which earned $710,000 for total of $4.63 million since Oct. 3. Despite hype over GameCube and Xbox launches, game renters apparently still were content with PS2 games. Rounding out top 5 were more PS2 titles: Agent Under Fire at #2 with $670,000 in weekly earnings for $1.33 million total; WWF Smackdown Just Bring It at #4 ($480,000 for week, $1.15 million to date); Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 at #5 ($330,000, $3.07 million).

BJ’s Wholesale Club said in Nov. “general merchandise sales were strong in certain categories of electronics and home entertainment, including videogame systems, DVD players and movies, videos, large-screen TVs and home theater systems.” But Natick, Mass., wholesale club said “weaker categories” in month included computers, film, software. It said sales jumped 5.8% to $450.9 million from $426 million in Nov. year ago. Comparable- club sales dropped 0.3% for month, but company said year-to-date comparable club-sales had increased 3.4% while total sales jumped 8% to $4.1 billion from $3.8 billion year ago. CEO Jack Nugent said company was “encouraged by sales trends post Thanksgiving and continues to plan comp club sales for December in the positive 2-4% range.”

Codemasters said it would ship exclusive Xbox game Ultimate Blade of Darkness in winter 2002.