Briefs

Google (GOOG) and Facebook are joining forces to oppose a privacy bill in California that would limit online advertising. The measure would prohibit companies from collecting personal data, including names, phone numbers, and Internet browsing history, as well as from selling or sharing consumer data. Those data are the foundation of so-called observed behavior advertising that targets consumers based on their Web usage and location. Limits could trim ad revenue in the state by $579 million in 2014, according to a Bloomberg Government analysis. Although other state and federal lawmakers have proposed do-not-track bills, California's is the most far-reaching.

PBS is considering adding promotional breaks during programs, a departure from its decades-old practice of airing shows uninterrupted. It will test the new format on one night of programming each week to measure the response. Previously, PBS ran promotions for its corporate and foundation sponsors only at the beginning and end of each program, leaving viewers alone for up to 50 minutes. The new plan, which calls for four breaks per show, will drop ad-free stretches down to 15 minutes.