Advanced Television

VOD

Arqiva to license VOD solution

  Communications infrastructure and media services company Arqiva has confirmed that it will begin licensing to third parties the VOD technology that powers its SeeSaw online TV service. The online video aggregation platform will be offered internationally as a bespoke solution configured to meet customers’ specific requirements, or as a more standard product closely aligned […]

September 10, 2010From Colin Mann in Amsterdam

iPlayer international exec

BBC Worldwide is appointing an iPlayer exec from the BBC itself to drive through its plan to launch an overseas version of the VOD service. Global iPlayer Launch Director is to be Mark Smith, who has been filling the role of general manager for programmes and on-demand. It means BBC Worldwide will have an exec […]

September 10, 2010

Canvas support and (some) specs

Project Canvas responded to recent criticism claiming that ‘dozens of manufacturers’ had pledged support for the venture. More than 40 companies, including connected TV makers and STB providers, had expressed interest in making devices based on the Canvas software, according to the project. Equipment branded YouView is planned for sale next year.  “The response from […]

September 10, 2010

VoD ads forecast to pick up

  Video-on-demand advertising is set to rise in the fourth quarter, according to a report from Web TV Enterprise. The UK research, which covered 150 media buyers, revealed an “increasing confidence” in using VOD for building brands, with 60% of respondents stating they buy both TV and VOD ads. According to UK Online Video Advertising […]

September 9, 2010
BBC iPlayer

BBC launches ‘social’ iPlayer

The revamped iPlayer service features a new design that makes it easier to find television programmes, personalisation tools, so that users can tailor-make their viewing experience, and social networking integration, to enable Facebook and Twitter. “A main theme here is personalisation,” said James Hewines, iPlayer product lead. “Simply put, that means a way to get […]

September 6, 2010

Apple turns on TV, again

  Apple has unveiled the new Apple TV which offers users the ability to choose from the a large online selection of HD movies to rent, including first run movies for $4.99, and a wide selection of HD TV show episodes from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America from 99 cents. All […]

September 2, 2010

Sony expanding download service

Sony is planning to launch a subscription-based music and video service to run across a range of its devices. The service will allow users to download music and video to their PS3 and PSP consoles (which are already internet-connected for game and film downloads on PlayStation Network) and then share it between Sony devices including […]

September 1, 2010

Amazon SVOD service?

Amazon is in talks with various media organisations with a view to offering an unlimited subsciption-VOD streaming video. The proposed service would rival Netflix, who currently offer subscription-based services, and would see Amazon massively expand its digital download options. Currently Amazon’s VoD is on PPV basis. The company is reportedly in talks with Time Warner, […]

September 1, 2010

iApps from Netflix

  Netflix announces the release of a free Netflix application for the iPhone and iPod Touch that allows streaming of movies over Wi-Fi or a 3G cellphone connection. Netflix is available on a number of devices and screens, including gaming consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox, the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii — all of […]

August 27, 2010

PC video consumption increasing

More US households are watching online video and on a wider variety of devices now than two years ago, but they are not sacrificing their TV viewing to do so, according to international research firm Parks Associates. The firm’s study – Digital Media Evolution II – found 40% of all US broadband homes now regularly […]

August 24, 2010