In a move to capitalize on the potential for bigger online audiences, MTV Networks is set to distribute its wide range of programming on AOL Video by the end of the week.

Having already established distribution plans with emerging online forces like Bebo and Joost, the deal is aimed at drawing in AOL's substantially diverse audience with the network's equally broad range of programming. MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon are among MTV Networks' properties.

"We are eager to expand our reach and drive viewers back to our sites," said Greg Clayman, MTV's executive vice president of digital distribution and marketing.

The new deal comes in a year when many networks are finding ways to distribute their content through a variety of outlets; NBC Universal and News Corp. partnered for the recent launch of Hulu.com, which will syndicate its programming to sites attracting 96 percent of all internet visitors, while CBS and ABC have set up distribution plans with AOL and MSN among others.--Kevin Manahan

The Small Business Summit 2008 is billed as the only small business summit by small business for small business. The theme is Business and Technology: It's Time to Reinvent Your Business. The event takes place on February 11, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York City. The all-day event will give the 400 attendees a chance to meet with 40 exhibitors to help reinvent their business. Our Tech Basics columnist, Ramon Ray, is one of the speakers for the event. He'll share his years of hands-on experience in building networks, installing software, upgrading computers and much more. Click here to register.

Webkinz, the popular stuffed animals, have become a phenomenon among elementary-school-aged children. And so has their website, Webkinz.com. But according to this New York Times article, that website is coming under fire by parents, upset over the placement of advertisements on the site. An advocacy group based in Boston, The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, is demanding that Webkinz.com remove its ads. "One of the reasons why parents buy Webkinz for their children is the expectation that the site will be free from advertising," said Susan Linn, the campaign's director. "It's disappointing that the site is choosing to maximize revenue at the expense of children."

Ganz, the company that introduced the dolls, uses Webkinz as a roundabout way to charge for online content. When Webkinz are purchased in stores, they come packaged with access codes for the site. Traffic on the site has grown by more than 800 percent over the past year, and it received about 7.29 million unique visitors in October. Ganz wasn't available for comment when the New York Times ran this article.