Monday, friends and fans of Jackass star Ryan Dunn took to Twitter to post farewell messages and remembrances about the deceased actor.

Dunn, who perished in a car crash early Monday morning, posted a picture of himself drinking with friends just hours before the car he was driving crashed, killing both Dunn and another adult passenger.

While some, such as iconic film critic Roger Ebert, have criticized Dunn’s actions, many refuse to speak ill at this time, instead focusing on the humor Dunn brought to their lives and the memories they shared with him.

Here are some tweets from other celebrities who were close to Dunn as well as fans.

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

Twitter Remembers Ryan Dunn

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Producers are working around the clock ahead of the Royal Wedding live broadcast, which is set to begin at 4 a.m. ET on most stations. But they aren’t just prepping TV coverage; they’re also working to extend their broadcasts and engage users across as many channels as possible.

With the proliferation of devices for media consumption — think laptops, tablets and smartphones, in addition to TV sets — viewers are no longer consuming media on a single platform. Instead, they’re tweeting on their smartphones while viewing on a TV program, or a watching a second show on their tablets during a commercial.

It’s these viewers — the ones that Mark Ghuneim, the founder and CEO of marketing agency Wireset and social media monitoring tool Trendrr, calls the “hyperactives” — that network producers and digital strategists are pursuing ahead of tomorrow morning’s broadcast.

The Importance of “Hyperactives”

Unlike “massive passives,” which make up the majority of the television-viewing audience, hyperactives are actively discussing, endorsing and engaging with TV content on different networks in real time, and encouraging their friends to do so as well.

“If someone you trust says, ‘Oh my god, that’s really cool, I’m watching this,’ in real time, you want to go check it out,” says Ghuneim. “Because your social graph is made up of people you trust, when they recommend something, you’re more likely to take a look. The social web thus acts as a funnel in which friend recommendations are prompting tune-ins on TV and online in real time.”

Given that 2 billion viewers are expected to tune in for the Royal Wedding, networks are going all-out to create more engaging and more accessible experiences by streaming their coverage on as many devices as possible, as well as maintaining an active presence on Facebook and Twitter.

ABC News: A Cross-Channel Strategy

Of all the networks we spoke to, ABC News is pursuing the most aggressive cross-channel strategy. The network will be livestreaming on ABCNews.com, its apps for iPhone and iPad devices, Hulu, Yahoo and on Facebook.

ABC News correspondent David Muir will be interacting directly with followers on Twitter and Facebook throughout the day. The network will also keep track of trending conversations in order to bridge online and on-air discussions, ABC News Digital executive producer of innovation Andrew Morse tells us.

ABC is also asking Twitter users to tweet in comments throughout the day using hashtags #ROYALMESS and #ROYALSUCCESS, and to the big moment with #ROYALKISS, a strategy Ghuneim says is especially effective for increasing Twitter conversation about a broadcast.

“What we’ve come to realize more and more through major events — elections, major celebrations, breaking news events and tragedies — is that the two-screen experience is becoming more and more ubiquitous,” says Morse. “More people are interacting, watching while using their tablets and their iPhones, and we want to create the richest two-screen experience we can.”

CNN: Uniting TV, Mobile & Social

CNN will be monitoring Twitter commentary tagged with #CNNtv during the live broadcast, and display selected tweets in a “slow stream” alongside video coverage. Tweets and Facebook status updates from so-called “relevant influentials,” such as celebrities and friends of the Royal Family, will appear in the lower-third banner of the broadcast. Viewers are also encouraged to check in on GetGlue to unlock a series of Royal-Wedding themed stickers.

Most unusually, two-dimensional barcodes will appear on-screen throughout the day, prompting viewers with smartphones to scan the code to load additional CNN coverage on their smartphones.

In addition, CNN will be tweeting live updates from @royalweddingCNN, as well as from the accounts of individual presenters Anderson Cooper, Piers Morgan, Richard Quest, Kiran Chetry and Cat Deeley throughout the event.

AP Live, CBS News, ET TheInsider.com and the UK Press Association will all be hosting live broadcasts on Livestream, whilst the BBC will host its own livestream and live blog. Royal correspondent Peter Hunt will be taking questions on Twitter leading up to and on the big day.

Why Now & What’s Next?

We have seen heavy multimedia and cross-channel coverage during past global events, but never on this scale before.

The reason, Ghuneim says, is because many networks are beginning to understand the importance of an engaged audience across multiple channels, and have had the advantage of months of planning ahead of the broadcast.

The challenges involve understanding how consumers use different kinds of devices, and how to optimize the experience for each device.

For more information about how to follow the Royal Wedding online, please see our comprehensive guide.

Disclosure: CNN and ABC News are Mashable content partners.

More About: abc news, cnn, royal wedding, rw2011, Trendrr

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More Americans than ever are multitasking while the watch TV, according to a new survey from Deloitte.

Between September 10 and October 8, 2010, Deloitte polled 2,000 U.S. consumers ages 14-75 on their digital habits. Unsurprisingly, it found that Americans are plugged in. 85% own a desktop computer, yet another 68% own a laptop or a netbook and another 41% have Internet-enabled phones. Moreover, 1/3 of American households now own a smartphone, up from 22% in 2007.

TV is still king, though. 74% of U.S. consumers still watch TV primarily on their TV sets, and a full 59% of U.S. households now own flat-screen TVs. In 2007, that number was just 17%. Still, Deloitte’s survey shows that younger consumers are moving towards the Internet for their TV content; 37% of 22 to 27-year-olds surveyed said that they watch TV on the web five to seven times a week.

The TV-watching experience is changing, too. A full 42% of American consumers surf the while they are watching the television, 29% talk on their phones while the TV is on and 26% of consumers are texting or sending IMs. Multitasking has become a more prominent behavior of U.S. consumers. No longer do you find he whole family circling the TV to watch Cronkite deliver the news; instead, they’re checking Facebook and making phone calls.

The survey also addresses the decline of print media. Deloitte specifically mentions print magazines as a medium that is “surviving the digital tsunami.” 2/3 of U.S. consumers have read a print copy of a magazine in the last six months, higher than newspaper and other forms of print media. Interestingly, 87% of U.S. consumers say that they prefer the print copy of magazines over the digital version. In fact, 55% of U.S. households still subscribe to at least one print magazine, up by 1% from 2009.

We’re a bit surprised to see that print magazine subscriptions haven’t dropped off like a cliff in recent years, but they are definitely falling, and it’s forcing publishers to make hard choices. To counteract this effect, many publishers are turning to the iPad to recreate the magazine experience digitally, although the results have been mixed thus far.

More About: deloitte, media, stats, television

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The Internet is now the main national and international news source for people ages 18 to 29, a study from the Pew Research Center reports.

In 2010, 65% of people younger than 30 cited the Internet as their go-to source for news, nearly doubling from 34% in 2007. The number who consider television as their main news source dropped from 68% to 52% during that time.

Of all 1,500 American adults surveyed, 41% say they get their national and international news from the Internet, up 17% from 2007. Sixty-six percent cite television — down from 74% — indicating the trend is spreading among other age groups.

Forty-eight percent of those 30-59 cite the Internet as their main news source, up from 32% in 2007, while television went down from 71% to 63%. Though the number of those in the 51-64 age group who consider television their main news source (71%) is about the same, those who turn to the Internet (34%) is nearly equal to the number who cite newspapers (38%). The amount of people 65 and older who get their news from the Internet has risen from 5% to 14%, but television remains the chief source for 79% of respondents.

These numbers fall in line with the rise of the personalized news stream online. Both Facebook’s News Feed and Twitter launched in summer 2006 but didn’t catch on until 2007. Both sites have seen explosive growth since 2008. Tweet counts have increased from 5,000 daily in 2007 to 90 million daily in 2010, while Facebook went from 30 million users in 2007 to more than 500 million users today.

In addition, the television viewership culture has shifted in the past few years. Between media streaming services on the web and, more recently, Internet-TV connection devices like Roku and Boxee, people have more viewing options than ever before. With the ability to personalize what news and entertainment you consume, these television watching methods have become more desirable for many.

Which is your preferred news source? Internet or television? Tell us in the comments below.

Image courtesy iStockphoto: iqoncept.

Reviews: Boxee, Facebook, Internet, Twitter, iStockphoto

More About: internet, media, News, Pew, television, tv, twitter, web

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Kimmel used Wednesday’s episode of his Jimmy Kimmel Live show to declare November 17, 2010 National UnFriend Day [NUD] — a new holiday he hopes will inspire Facebook users to unfriend the social networking contacts that aren’t real friends.

Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel believes Facebook is cheapening the meaning of friendship.

“NUD is the international day when all Facebook users shall protect the sacred nature of friendship by cutting out any ‘friend fat’ on their pages occupied by people who are not truly their friends,” according to the show’s website.

Admittedly, Facebook friending does seem to be out of control. Facebook was once the social networking site we chose over MySpace to connect with our real friends; but over the years, many of us have accumulated dozens, if not hundreds, of Facebook friends that are, in fact, not actually our friends.

Kimmel may have a point, but this rather funny joke of a holiday seems to be more a late night comedy sketch than an event manufactured out of real concern for the status of friendship. Still, National UnFriend Day is good natured — at least for those not being unfriended — and we might even take the day to cut some friend fat of our own.

[via All Facebook]

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Netflix just added a streaming-only subscription plan for some U.S. customers. It costs at least $7.99 per month and it gives you all the Watch Instantly content you can handle, but it doesn’t include any DVD rentals.

It appears to be available only to a few customers at present, as we’re not able to see a streaming-only plan on our account or when creating a new one. But tech blog Engadget claims that many of its writers are able to access the plans, albeit (strangely) at different prices. On one computer they’re offered a streaming-only plan for $7.99 per month, but on another it’s $8.99.

In either case, it appears that this test also brings a bump in DVD rental plan prices. The existing $8.99, $13.99 and $16.99 plans (for one DVD, two and three, respectively) have all gone up one dollar, presumably either to differentiate the DVD and streaming plans or even to subsidize streaming users.

As is the case with existing accounts, these streaming accounts work not just on your computer but through Netflix-enabled devices like Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and others, and the Starz library is included.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has said on a few occasions that he believes Netflix will ultimately be a streaming company. With enhancements to the experience on PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and iPhone along with these new streaming plans, the company is getting closer to that reality.

It already exclusively offers streaming plans in Canada, its first market outside of the United States. No word yet on when the plans will roll out for all U.S. customers.

More About: entertainment, Film, Movies, netflix, netflix watch instantly, streaming, subscription, subscriptions, television, test, tv, U.S., united states, video, watch instantly

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YouTube is preparing itself for this weekend’s big rollout of Google TV with a launch of its own: the full release of YouTube Leanback, its made-for-TV experience.

Leanback, revealed in May at the Google I/O conference, is a core component of Google’s strategy to bring online video to the living room screen. It provides for a simplified YouTube experience and interface, offering simple keyboard commands, an advanced search interface, and a visual UI for browsing through YouTube clips and shows.

YouTube’s television experience has been in beta as part of TestTube, the video site’s version of Google Labs, but tonight the site will be available to the entire YouTube community. YouTube Product Manager Lead Kuan Yong told me earlier today that users will have access to the full catalog of YouTube videos. Kuan also told me that the team has been working on improving the user experience, search capabilities and adding other changes users requested during the beta.

YouTube Leanback is all about Google TV; it is the way the company wants users to experience YouTube while they are surfing the web on their TVs. When you select the YouTube bookmark in Google TV for the first time, you will be presented the option to make Leanback your default YouTube experience. This doesn’t surprise us; Leanback was made for TV. It’s less cluttered and easy to personalize. And now that Sony’s Google TV-powered devices and the Logitech Revue go on sale this weekend, it’s time for Leanback to roll out.

We’re about to find out if consumers want the Internet on their TVs. Google hopes that people will do things such as favorite TED videos at work so they can watch them later at home. The company says that users of Leanback watch twice as much video as users of the regular YouTube interface. The company is hoping that statistic stays true as Google TV becomes available nationwide.

More About: Google, google labs, google tv, television, TestTube, youtube, YouTube Leanback

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First, CBS turned a Twitter account about the caustic and profane things one man’s dad said into a TV show. Now, hot off the premiere of $#*! My Dad Says, the network has made a script deal with the author of a second comedic Twitter feed.

CBS has locked in a deal for @shhdontellsteve, a Twitter account that regales its followers with the antics of one man’s roommate. While nowhere near as popular as @shitmydadsays, the account has more than 14,000 followers.

According to Hollywood Reporter, Don’t Tell Steve will be produced by CBS TV Studios and Katalyst, Ashton Kutcher’s production company. Ashton Kutcher, Karey Burk and Jason Goldberg are executive producers on the project.

Last week’s premiere of $#*! My Dad Says garnered a respectable 12.5 million viewers, which could be an indication to CBS that Twitter accounts really do make for good TV shows. CBS and Katalyst still have to make a successful pilot before Don’t Tell Steve becomes part of the CBS comedy line-up; but clearly, if you have a crazy friend, roommate or family member, tweeting about what he or she says is a winner.

Image courtesy of Flickr, roadsidepictures.

Reviews: Flickr, Twitter

More About: aol, cbs, shit my dad says, television, twitter

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The connected-device market just got a little bit hotter; Roku has just announced its new lineup of streaming media players.

Competing head-to-head with the upcoming Apple TV, the Boxee Box and Google TV, Roku is hoping to entice customers to its newest units.

Roku is introducing three models, priced to sell at $59.99, $79.99 and $99.99. Each model supports HD streaming and has built-in wireless connectivity. The $79.99 and $99.99 models support 1080p streaming — a feature the $99 Apple TV won’t be able to match.

Like the older Roku devices, the new boxes support a slew of content networks, including Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, MLB.TV, Pandora, Flickr and MOG.

As small as the old Roku boxes were, the new units are even smaller. The Apple TV hasn’t shipped yet, so we’re not sure which device is smaller, but he new Roku is tiny and should be easy to hide away.

Check out a quick run-down of what each model offers:

Roku HD

Priced at $59.99, this entry-level Roku box supports 720p streaming and has built-in ethernet and 802.11 b/g and supports 5.1 surround sound. It includes both HDMI and composite video, so you can use this on standard-definition TVs or on newer models.

Roku XD

At $79.99, the mid-tier Roku box jumps from 720p to 1080p and gains extended range Wireless-N Wi-Fi support, plus the ability to do stuff like instant-replay with the new enhanced Roku remote.

Roku XDS

The $99.99 Roku XDS is priced the same as the Apple TV, but it offers 1080p HD streaming and dual-band extended range Wireless-N Wi-Fi. It can also play content via a USB drive.

The ability to play back external content is completely new for Roku. Using USB, customers can play stored music, photos and 1080p video. Roku will be introducing this new feature as part of a free software update, which we expect to roll out in November.

Taking on the Apple TV Head-on

It’s hard not to compare the new Roku units with Apple’s upcoming Apple TV. Both units offers similar capabilities and are of a similar form factor. The big distinguishing factor is content selection. Apple TV has direct access to the iTunes Store and can also connect to home networks. Roku has access to Amazon and an increasing number of partners and can now play content over USB.

Both units offer Netflix support, though Roku will be able to handle 1080p streaming. Roku provided us with a review unit of the Roku XDS, and we’ll be posting our full review soon.

What do you think of the new Roku boxes? Are you considering adding one to your living room? Let us know.

More About: Apple TV, connected tv, roku, roku hd, roku xd, roku xds

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Netflix could pay up to one billion dollars for the rights to stream recently-released feature films from Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount in a deal with cable movie channel upstart Epix.

The Los Angeles Times says the deal has been discussed for months but it’s still facing a few hurdles. Not the least of these is the fact that cable providers (which Epix is fighting an uphill battle to woo) would be less inclined to carry Epix if it also offers its content online outside of its own private portal.

However, Epix might do well to place its bets on online media instead of traditional cable in general if it’s in this for the long haul.

If the deal goes through, the LA Times claims it will last five years, help Epix meet its goal of breaking even in 2011 and retain movie studios’ option to also sell and rent their films on iTunes even as they’re showing on Epix. Competing movie channel HBO doesn’t give its partners the same options.

Films currently on Epix include Iron Man, Star Trek, Saw VI, The Cove, and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Epix has also tried making original material, including a Steve Jobs parody created by a Seinfeld writer.

The LA Times report doesn’t clarify whether or not all titles available on Epix will also be available on Netflix. Netflix could definitely use the influx of current, mainstream movies; many of the Hollywood blockbusters it streams today are provided by a similar deal with the cable movie channel Starz.

Reviews: iTunes

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