-
Comcast and Skype Partner for TV-Based HD Video Calling
On the eve of the Cable Show, Comcast and Skype are announcing a partnership that will enable TV-based HD video calling. Comcast subscribers using the new service will be able to make Skype video and audio calls while at the same time watching TV. On-screen caller ID will pop-up when a Skype call is received. A Comcast spokesman told me last week that customer trials are set to begin soon (word actually began leaking out last week).
For Skype, the partnership is another route into the living room as it seeks to become a ubiquitous communications platform. Early last year Skype
announced it was working with Samsung and Panasonic to embed the Skype app in certain connected TV models, and it also offers a variety of HD web cams for sale on its site. For Comcast, Skype is an enhancement to its Xfinity TV service and mobile app that creates some interesting new integrated communications and social media experiences.
Categories: Cable TV Operators, Communications
-
thePlatform and Alcatel-Lucent Deal Continues Pay-TV's Push to IP Delivery
Online video platform provider thePlatform and IPTV services/hardware giant Alcatel-Lucent are introducing an exclusive joint solution this morning to
further accelerate pay-TV operators' transition to an all IP-based delivery model targeting multiple devices. The goal is to provide a soup-to-nuts system for pay-TV operators that combines the same control and security of traditional single purpose QAM video networks with the flexibility and cost-effectiveness that IP delivery offers. thePlatform's CEO Ian Blaine and AlcaLu's SVP, Global IP Video Solutions Derrick Frost, brought me up to speed last week.
The companies' multiscreen video platform solution has 3 components:
Categories: Cable TV Operators, Technology
Topics: Alcatel-Lucent, thePlatform
-
@ELEVATE: 75% of Cable TV Programming to be on TV Everywhere in 2 Years
At the ELEVATE conference earlier this week I moderated a panel with executives from 3 of the leading proponents of TV Everywhere, during which they estimated about 75% of cable TV programming could be available on connected and mobile devices within 2 years. That amount would be a huge increase from what's currently available and would also represent a massive shift by the pay-TV ecosystem to delivering content to IP devices. It would also represent a huge game change in the overall TV advertising ecosystem depending on what ad policies are implemented (full ad load, partial load, etc.).
The panelists included David Preschlack, EVP, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Disney & ESPN Networks Group, Jeremy Legg, SVP Business Development & Multi-Platform Distribution, Turner Broadcasting and Matt Strauss, SVP & GM, Comcast Interactive Media.
With the rise of over-the-top competitors (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, etc.), TV Everywhere has emerged as the pay-TV industry's number one priority. No doubt at next week's Cable Show in Chicago it will be the most pervasive topic of discussion. Yet significant issues remain for TV Everywhere's rollout. Chief among them are lack of adequate audience measurement systems, limited rights and caution among cable networks. We discussed each on the panel.
Categories: Cable Networks, Cable TV Operators
Topics: Comcast, ELEVATE, ESPN, Turner
-
Recapping All of the Product and Partnership News from ELEVATE
At the ELEVATE conference on Tuesday a number of our partners made product and partnership announcements which I mentioned were coming in a teaser last Friday. Each helps move the online video advertising market forward in different ways. A brief recap of each follows:
Categories: Advertising, Events, Technology
Topics: Adap.TV, AdoTube, Conviva, ELEVATE, EyeView, Grab Networks, Innovid, Ooyala, Panache, RAMP, Tremor Video, Undertone, YuMe
-
ELEVATE - 700 Registrants, 55 Speakers, 24 sessions, 27 Sponsors and 1 Amazing Day
ELEVATE: Online Video Advertising Summit is a wrap and I'm pleased to report
it was a huge success with over 700 registrants, 55 speakers, 24 sessions and 27 sponsors participating. We covered the online video advertising world from every conceivable angle, with plenty of time also spent on larger online video industry drivers.
There were tons of great insights on the market from our opening session with Akamai's president David Kenny and News Corp's chief digital officer Jon Miller, to our keynote from Disney/ABC's EVP, Digital Media, Albert Cheng through to our closing session with TED's Head of Global Partnerships Ronda Carnegie and Google's Head of Creative Innovation John Militello.
I have lots of pictures I'll post shortly and we video-recorded all the sessions which I'll post over the next couple of weeks. I'll also be posting some of my key takeaways over the next few days so stay tuned. There are also lots of tweets from the day at #EL8CONF.Categories: Events
Topics: ELEVATE
-
See You At ELEVATE!
Categories: Events
Topics: ELEVATE
-
Panache Introduces Interactive Ads in HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)
Video ad technology provider Panache is introducing the ability to insert interactive ad overlays in HTTP live streaming (HLS) content delivered to iOS and Android connected devices. Panache is announcing the capability at ELEVATE: Online Video Advertising Summit. Panache CEO Steve Robinson, who briefed me last week on the capability, sees this as primarily supporting dynamic ad insertion into live television streams that would be simulcast to devices.
Panache believes this capability is significant because it bypasses the need to separate TV programs streamed online into segments, with video ads inserted between them, which is a cumbersome process. Steve reports that pay-TV operators and TV technology providers are excited about Panache's offering because it moves them closer to their vision of convergence between TV and other devices. Many premium content providers are recognizing the value of live streaming for audiences, especially to newer mobile devices. Categories most often mentioned are sports or music, but entertainment programming is also a priority.
Categories: Advertising, Technology
Topics: Panache
-
Last Call for ELEVATE Conference Tomorrow
Online pre-registration for the inaugural ELEVATE: Online Video Advertising Summit will close today at 6pm ET. Walk-in registration will be available on-siteon June 7th, but payment will only be accepted by check or cash. ELEVATE will be held at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, New York, N.Y.
Pre-registration has topped 600 industry executives, from brands, agencies, content publishers, technologists and other stakeholders in the industry. A sample list of companies attending is here.
In addition, the ELEVATE printed program is now available for viewing here.
Hope to see you there!Categories: Events
Topics: ELEVATE
VideoNuze Posts
Connect with VideoNuze
Exclusive News Roundup
- China’s Hisense Launches Branded FAST Channels Media Play News
- Netflix Wraps Upfront With 'Doubled Commitments' Mediapost
- Tubi Expands Partnerships With MrBeast, Other Creators The Hollywood Reporter
- The NFL’s Next Big Play: Owning the Media The Hollywood Reporter
- A Hollywood Start-Up Targets the Micro Drama Craze NY Times
- Hub: Streaming bundles boost customer loyalty The Desk
