Archive for May 14th, 2007
Since 2004, Microsoft has been powering Comcast’s set-top box software here in Washington state. But now Comcast plans to drop Microsoft and use the same software the cable company is using elsewhere: GuideWorks, which is the product of a joint venture between Comcast and Gemstar-TV Guide. “We’re focused on developing a single guide and a platform across the country,” said Steve Kipp, a regional Comcast spokesman. “We believe this will bring our customers a consistent user experience and allow us to integrate new features onto the guide more quickly than in the past.” The decision is a setback for Microsoft in its quest to woo cable companies.
The new interface which allows viewers to preview as many as six channels at once. But still, I wonder why set-top box interfaces don’t look more like websites, with topical programming highlighted in a clean, simple, compelling video home page.
May 14th, 2007
Coming this July, ABC.com will begin streaming “true high definition resolution” video from such series as Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Ugly Betty. “We are excited to be the first in the industry to stream HD video available on the web, providing ABC.com users with an unprecedented online viewing experience,” said Anne Sweeney, president, Disney-ABC Television Group. Also coming this fall, the ABC.com player will include national news as well as local content that’s geo-targeted to participating markets. Press release with more details below…
Read the full post May 14th, 2007
WMC in Memphis is celebrating 30 years with Weather Director Dave Brown, and they’re spreading the word in unique fashion. I was sent this ecard, and I have to say: bonus points for originality. You don’t see this kind of stuff in TV promos, that’s for sure. Make it fun and people will help spread the word. Congrats to Dave and his wobbly avatar.
May 14th, 2007
There are some good tips for leveraging online tools to socially market yourself if you want to become a video star in this article at the Wall Street Journal. Interestingly, one of the big tips to get big traffic is to get mentioned by mainstream media. So why aren’t mainstream media producing more online video stars themselves? (Paid sub. req.)
May 14th, 2007
We’ve talked a lot here about how local TV stations have missed out on the opportunity to have online video ads. Here’s an example of someone filling an obvious need. There are lots of sites you can go to for auto information, but they don’t have video: DriverTV.com debuts officially today, and it’s a simple and elegant video site. (DriverTV has been a VOD-only offering since 2005) You choose the cars you’re interested in, and you watch a video for each. There’s even an option to watch in HD. Automotive is the place where local ad dollars are moving dramatically online. Mash this up with local car dealers and you have a valuable property. (NYT)
May 14th, 2007
The Independent Film Channel and VMIX have partnered to launch the IFC’s first web series, called “Getting Away With Murder.” The series is part of a partnership that sees an IFC-branded channel on VMIX, a video sharing and hosting site. From the press release: “The series… follows the double life of Seth Silver, an ordinary twenty-five-year-old man who lives with his mother, while working as an assistant veterinary technician by day, and a killer-for-hire by night.”
May 14th, 2007
The military is blocking its soldiers’ access to MySpace, YouTube, MTV, Metacafe and a handful of other sites because the “recreational traffic impacts our official DoD network and bandwidth ability, while posing a significant operational security challenge.”
May 14th, 2007
