Internet backbone provider Level 3 Communications says Comcast is demanding a recurring fee for transmitting internet movies and “other content” to Comcast customers, accusing the cableco of violating the FCC’s “net neutrality” principles. Comcast says Level 3 is misrepresenting the negotiations between the two companies. “Comcast is effectively putting up a toll booth at the […]
A forecast from MRG projects that global growth of OTT video services will exceed $1 billion in 2010 and US$20 billion in 2014, based on over 40 OTT Service Operators and Device Vendors profiled. “This is the most complete available analysis of connected OTT smart devices offering both live and on-demand video services,” says Mike […]
The number of German TV households using cable TV has dropped from 57.6 per cent in 2005 to 52.7 per cent in 2010, according to a study by German magazine Focus. At the same time, the number of satellite TV households has grown from 41.2 per cent to 45.7 per cent and households using digital […]
The first images of Virgin Media’s new TiVo service have been released, showcasing a simple user interface for users to find their favourite programmes TiVo, the US DVR pioneer, is set to “revolutionise the way customers watch on-demand and pay-TV programmes,” promised Virgin Media when it first announced plans to offer the service. The new […]
Microsoft is in talks with media companies to license TV networks for a new online pay-television subscription service through its Xbox and other devices reports the US press. Apparently Microsoft envisages a “virtual cable operator” delivered online for a monthly subscription. However some reports reference an alternate plan that sees the company cooperate with cablecos […]
Deutsche Telekom has confirmed it will expand the number of HD channel on its IPTV platform Entertain. From December, TNT Film HD, TNT Serie HD, Syfy HD, Sport1+ HD, Planet HD and Classica HD will be accessible to subscribers – with AXN HD to follow in February of next year. All of the German telco’s […]
An annual study of consumer video consumption habits and platforms conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates has revealed that despite the increased use of alternative video viewing platforms (like VOD set-top boxes, instant streaming, and mobile apps), the vast majority of consumers intend to continue to maintain their traditional subscriptions with cable, satellite, and telco […]
MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) set-top box shipments surpassed MPEG-2-only set-top box shipments for the first time in 2010, with about 53 per cent of MPEG-4 shipments worldwide, suggests ABI Research. Despite the support for advanced encoding, however, pay-TV operators worldwide have been slow to support interactive features on set-top boxes. The research firm notes that historically, […]
Viacom had joined all the US networks and many other content providers in blocking Google TV. Viewers trying to access MTV, Nickelodeon and other Viacom brands will now get a ‘content unavailable’ message. The networks fear Google will encourage migration to online and shift viewers to an increasingly on demand behaviour pattern that will damage […]
Turner Broadcasting has released research, conducted with Magna Global, which the company says indicates a willingness by online video viewers to watch higher ad loads. Online streams of TV shows could support as many ads as broadcast television shows, Turner says. The test had Turner assigning visitors to its TNT and TBS websites. The first […]