Advanced Television

Premium

VoD and DTO revenues to double by 2015

Internet-enabled TV devices, including Smart TVs, connected Blu-Ray players, game consoles, and streaming media players continue to grow their footprint within consumers’ homes.  Already about 17 million US households currently own a connected TV, and ownership of streaming media players has nearly doubled since the end of 2010.  Yet only a fraction of consumers that […]

December 5, 2011

Youzee replicates Netflix model in Spain

The Spanish replica of Netflix is called Youzee. Controlled 75 per cent by the cinema company Yelmo, this online video store has launched its Beta service (with access only through invitation) with plans to become commercial in the first quarter of 2012. The platform distributes films and TV series for a monthly fee of E6.99 […]

December 2, 2011From David Del Valle in Madrid

LOVEFiLM made to leave Flash for Silverlight

UK on-demand streaming player LOVEFiLM has confirmed it will stop showing movies in Flash and will instead deploy Microsoft’s Silverlight platform after coming under pressure from Hollywood to utilise a more secure platform. “We’ve been asked to make this change by the studios who provide us with the films in the first place, because they’re […]

December 2, 2011

Tesco offers online extra with blinkbox

UK supermarket giant Tesco and its online video-on-demand subsidiary blinkbox have announced a new service where customers who purchase a DVD or Blu-ray will also own the movie online. The new service will be exclusive to customers enrolled in the store’s Clubcard loyalty scheme. Beginning on 2 December, with the launch of Harry Potter and […]

December 1, 2011By Colin Mann

BBC iPlayer launches in Canada

BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) is launching the international version of the iPlayer video-on-demand service in Canada, via a subscription iPad app, which features titles from the broadcaster’s library such as Walking with Dinosaurs and Top Gear. Initially, the Global iPlayer will be only available to Canadians via the iPad, and can be downloaded for free from […]

December 1, 2011By Colin Mann

Hulu for Germany?

Hulu’s SVP Johannes Larcher and consultant Olaf Kroll are currently talking to German TV networks to strike content deals for a launch in the country, according to a report by German news outlet Horizont. Hulu started talking to potential partners in Europe years ago, but wasn’t actually able to follow through on any of its […]

November 28, 2011

HMV Movies on demand from FilmFlex

Entertainment and technology retailer HMV and FilmFlex Movies have announced the launch of an HMV-branded movies-on-demand service. HMV is joining the growing band of businesses offering an online film rental service as it seeks to benefit from the increasing demand for digital film services and counter falling sales in its High Street stores. The service […]

November 24, 2011

Miramax links to Brazil’s NetMovies

Brazil’s NetMovies has signed a multi-media deal with Hollywood studio Miramax  to cover the streaming of Miramax titles.  The agreement covers such iconic hit films and award-winning titles as “Pulp Fiction,” “The English Patient,” “City of God,” “Amelie,” “There Will Be Blood” and “Kill Bill,” will be available to NetMovies customers, beginning December 1st, 2011. […]

November 21, 2011By Chris Forrester

Starz plans post Netflix digital strategy

Starz President Chris Albrecht has said his network would launch an HBO Go-like application to allow subscribers to watch its content on a variety of digital devices. Also, for the first time, he indicated a willingness to offer Starz directly to customers and not as part of a package of cable television channels. In September, […]

November 18, 2011

Mediaset launches Premium Play ‘Everywhere’

After Premium OnDemand and Premium NetTV, Italian commercial broadcaster Mediaset on November 18 launched another flexible way of enjoying TV. Premium Play is a service available on all Mediaset Premium packages from €19 per month. Italian TV viewers can now choose when, how and where to enjoy selected programmes. The offer includes 2,000 content among […]

November 18, 2011From Branislav Pekic in Rome