Advanced Television

Connected TV

iPad: Sky News fee, BBC 2m streams, Time Warner overwhelmed

The iPad, and the PC tablets that follow in its wake, are hitting the top of broadcaster agendas. Sky News has announced the launch of its first iPad app. For now it is free but will be restricted to Sky subscribers later in the year. “Sky subscribers will get it as part of their package, […]

March 17, 2011

LOVEFiLM with Onyx browser

LOVEFiLM has launched its WatchNow video service on Oregan Networks’ Onyx media browser, which will further increase LOVEFiLM’s platform capability to address a broader cross section of Internet-connected televisions and set-top boxes. The new partnership with Oregan Networkswill broaden LOVEFiLM’s current service distribution to a host of new connected devices including Cello iViewer televisions and […]

March 14, 2011

VDS unveils Watercooler

VDS, developer of broadcast automation software, content design and plug-in products, has introduced its first automated social media tool for television, called Watercooler. With Watercooler, broadcasters can engage viewers and create additional revenue opportunities. Watercooler incorporates exact timing information from station automation, enabling synchronised tweets or Facebook posts throughout the broadcast, engaging viewers with programme […]

March 11, 2011

Telus adds Facebook app

Telus has launched a new application that allows users to access Facebook on their TVs without missing a second of their favourite shows. At a click of their remote control, viewers of the Vancouver-based company’s Optik TV service are now able to share their views on the programme they are watching with friends on the […]

March 11, 2011

Apple TV signs sport deals

Apple TV customers in the US will be able to watch Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association games after the company confirmed deals with the sports leagues, in a sign that cable companies will face more online competition. The NBA will offer two packages to Apple TV users. For $65 per season, customers can […]

March 10, 2011

smartclip appoints Yahoo’s Chandrapal as VP Connected TV

smartclip, the European digital video ad network, has appointed Yahoo’s Shirlene Chandrapal as VP Connected TV. Chandrapal joins smartclip from Yahoo Europe where she was Director of Yahoo Connected TV, a platform that delivers Internet content to TV sets. In her role, she covered all major European markets and was responsible for strategy implementation, partnership […]

March 10, 2011

IP&TV World Forum brings the next wave of the App revolution to the fore

The first independent event focusing purely on the TV application opportunity has been announced at this month’s IP&TV World Forum. The TVAppHub, launched to help stimulate the TV Application market, is a free-to-attend conference for developers, which will feature training, panel discussions, presentations and demonstrations. It includes speakers from Deutsche Telekom, BBC, Betfair TV, Samsung […]

March 9, 2011

NBC rolls out PictureBox online in UK

NBC Universal has launched PictureBox online  – its subscription movies on-demand service available through Samsung Internet-connected TVs and the iPad. The PictureBox Player, developed by video provider SyncTV, will offer the same content currently available via the existing service – distributed via Talk Talk, Virgin Media, Top Up TV and BT Vision. It features around […]

March 8, 2011

Lord Sugar to head YouView

YouView, the much-delayed VOD system proposed for the UK, is to get Lord (Alan) Sugar as its new chairman. YouView, formerly known as Project Canvas, is not likely to launch fully until next year. Delegates to the Digital TV Group’s (DTG) annual summit in London on March 4th heard that a ‘beta’ test version of […]

March 7, 2011By Chris Forrester

Halton: YouView worth waiting for

The delayed launch of open IPTV platform YouView will result in a product that has been worth waiting for, according to the operation’s CEO, Richard Halton. He told delegates at the DTG Summit that the platform had been proved ready and would undergo extensive trials by the end of 2011, prior to a full commercial […]

March 4, 2011By Colin Mann