Archive for January 7th, 2007
Wow, yet another deal revealed at CES that involves bringing internet video to TV sets. Sony’s new BRAVIA Internet Video Link, which will become available on Sony TV sets this summer, will enable viewers to access online video from companies like AOL, Yahoo and Grouper. “Consumers can also easily pause, fast forward and rewind a video using the TV’s remote control,” reads the press release. My prediction: over the next few years, as it becomes standard for home computers to play video on TV, this will have as big as impact on TV ratings as the DVR. The Sony-AOL press release follows below…
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Coming later this month, you’ll be able to watch full streams of American Idol on AmericanIdol.com after the show airs on Fox. Interestingly, Ad Age reports that Freemantle Media, which produces Idol, was close to signing last year with a major portal to host and produce its web presence — which would have been a major loss for Fox, which currently produces the site. One more interesting factoid: Freemantle has counted 32,000 Idol clips on YouTube. (Via PaidContent)
January 7th, 2007
In his annual opening keynote at CES (video), Microsoft founder Bill Gates demo’d new Vista features, revealed Windows Home Server (which allows users to access their home-stored content online, away from home) and took the wraps off new technology that would expand Xbox 360’s role as the center of the home media experience. The new IPTV on Xbox will double as a DVR, allowing gamers to play while TV shows record in the background — or watch TV shows will chatting with Xbox Live friends. Content-wise, Microsoft has inked deals (WSJ sub. req.) with Nickelodeon, Showtime and Starz. As for how gamers will get their hands on these capabilities, the IPTV on Xbox 360 service “will be offered by providers that are deploying TV services based on the Microsoft TV IPTV Edition software platform.” More in the press release. Update: Watch a video demonstration of the new Xbox TV features.
January 7th, 2007
A popular segment on CNN’s Paula Zahn Now is getting it’s own section on CNN.com. “Life After Work” examines retirement lifestyles of baby boomers. So, would an advertiser leverage the web to target baby boomers? “This connects us with a large and attractive audience demographic of affluent, tech-savvy baby boomers,” said Stuart Burkhoff, Ameriprise VP, who’s sponsoring the new section, as well as its podcasts.
January 7th, 2007
In essense, it’s a satellite TV receiver in a box. Weighing 25 pounds with a price tag of $1,000-1,300, DirecTV’s new Sat-Go will allow subscribers (at $4.99 a month) to watch live programming on camping trips or RV treks. And you’ll never guess who came up with the idea: 65-year-old Rick Rosner, the creator of “CHiPs” and “Hollywood Squares.”
January 7th, 2007
From the company that brought you the Slingbox is the Slingcatcher, a new device that feeds video from your computer to the TV for less than $200. “It’s your full-blown web experience on your TV,” said CEO Blake Krikorian. But one drawback is users would have to control the video playback through their PCs, not via the TV. The Slingcatcher won’t go on sale until the middle of the year. Meanwhile, Apple is preparing to debut iTV, a similar technology that interfaces with iTunes and iPods.
January 7th, 2007
On the eve of CES, Verizon is taking the wraps of an upcoming new service that will offer eight channels (to start) of popular shows from several major networks. V-CAST Mobile TV, using technology from Qualcomm’s MediaFLO, will provide video at nearly 30 frames-per-second with full-length shows from CBS, Fox, NBC and MTV Networks. The service will debut on two phones, the Samsung SCH-U620 (pictured) and the VX 9400 from LG, in many major markets by the end of the first quarter. Stay tuned for more details. Press release below…
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At CES this week, MobiTV says it will demonstrate the “first ever mobile WiMAX broadcast TV service.” The service would allow WiMAX operators to offer premium mobile television at 30 frames-per-second with built-in digital rights management. Press release…
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It’s Sunday night, and the announcements are starting to stream in from the Consumer Electronics Show. The themes are mobile video, HDTV and most of all, linking online video to the TV set. Stay tuned for all the news from Vegas.
January 7th, 2007
