VideoNuze Posts

  • Comcast's New "AnyPlay Device" Provides Air Cover for iPad Streaming

    Comcast has unveiled AnyPlay which allows subscribers to stream linear TV channels to their iPads and soon Motorola Xoom tablets. AnyPlay is initially available in Denver and Nashville, with other markets to follow. AnyPlay follows similar initiatives from Cablevision and Time Warner Cable last year, which immediately landed those operators in hot water with a number of cable TV networks. At issue was whether the appropriate rights were in place to offer tablet streaming, even within the home.

    Meanwhile Comcast laid low last year, only making on-demand programming available through its Xfinity TV iPad app. It was inevitable that Comcast would also launch linear viewing on the iPad, but I've wondered for a while how it would avoid similar rights challenges. Now it seems the workaround is the "AnyPlay device," a box which connects to the subscriber's wireless home network.

    continue reading

     
  • Advertising on Connected TVs Will Be the Next Battleground

    With the launch of Samsung AdHub yesterday, the next big battleground for video advertising is shaping up to be on connected TVs. That makes a lot of sense because as more video viewing occurs on connected TVs (or "Smart TVs as they're also called), audiences will further fragment from traditional linear TV. Connected TVs are projected to account for 155 million units by 2015, or 54% of all flat-panel TV shipped. By then over 500 million connected TVs will have been shipped. In 2011, approximately 27% of TVs shipped will be able to connect to a network. Advertisers have no choice but to figure out how to reach all of those eyeballs and TV manufacturers are now beginning to lay the groundwork.

    continue reading

     
  • Blockbuster Adds Streaming Content, But Still Only Available to Dish Subscribers

    Dish Network made a series of announcements today (enhanced HBO on demand access, whole-home DVR, bundled satellite broadband with ViaSat, expanded Univision distribution), but the one that caught my eye focused on increased video selection for its "Blockbuster@Home" online service, a new brand name which looks like it will replace the "Blockbuster Movie Pass" brand that Dish unveiled back in September. Specifically, Dish said it has added 3,000 titles targeted to kids ages 3-13 with partners Vivendi Entertainment, Cookie Jar, Lions Gate and Scholastic Media.  

    continue reading

     
  • Frequency Launches Slick Flipboard'ish Video App

    Frequency has released a slick video app for the iPad this morning, where videos shared by friends in your social networks are combined with videos from hundreds of content providers to create a compelling personalized experience. Frequency will feel familiar for users of the Flipboard social magazine in terms of its ease of use, immersiveness and customization. Flipboard has helped demonstrate that with the proliferation of content available online, breakthrough packaging and presentation can deliver much higher user value. Frequency aspires to the same goal, but focused specifically on video.

    continue reading

     
  • Akamai Rolls Out UltraViolet, Security, Delivery Upgrades for Streaming Video

    Akamai has rolled out new capabilities as part of its "Intelligent Platform" for UltraViolet, security and delivery to reduce the complexities for content providers of streaming video in a multi-device world:

    continue reading

     
  • VideoNuze Report Podcast #115 - Video Viewing Goes Multiplatform

    I'm pleased to be joined once again by Colin Dixon, senior partner at The Diffusion Group, for the 115th edition of the VideoNuze Report podcast, for Jan. 6, 2012. In today's podcast Colin and I discuss several new data points around multi-platform video adoption. Colin cites a U.K. report that says 36% of people are watching TV via a PC, laptop or tablet device and discusses the impactions of changing viewer behaviors, just latest in a string of research showing changing viewing patterns.

    continue reading

     
  • Disney, Comcast and Why TV Everywhere Alone Is Not Enough

    Yesterday's press release from Disney and Comcast, announcing a comprehensive new ten-year distribution agreement covering over 70 different services is a testament to the idea that improved access to programming is key to maintaining the appeal of the traditional multichannel pay-TV business model. The deal grants Comcast sought-after multi-platform streaming and on-demand rights for 70 different Disney, ABC and ESPN programming services. This is the essential vision of "TV Everywhere" - anywhere/anytime/any device access to the full range of cable and broadcast programming, with the caveat that you have to be an authenticated subscriber to pay-TV services.

    continue reading

     
  • Netflix's 2 Billion Streaming Hours in Q4 Blows Away Competitors

    Netflix subscribers appear to be spending far more time viewing the service's streaming content than do users of any other online video destination. According to new data Netflix released today, its 20 million subscribers consumed 2 billion hours of streaming TV shows and movies in Q4 '11. Using simple averages, that would mean each subscriber streamed 100 hours during the quarter, or approximately 2,000 minutes per month (about 33 hours). That's roughly 4 1/2 times the level of YouTube's time spent/viewer. According to comScore, YouTube, which dominates total monthly volume of online video, had approximately 151 million U.S. users in November, 2011, who viewed 444.5 minutes each, on average.

    continue reading