Google’s YouTube is starting a subscription service, branded ‘Music Key’, that allows users to stream ad-free music videos, and download them for offline use. The monthly fee for Music Key also provides membership to Google Play All Access, the firm’s pre-existing “all-you-can-eat” song download facility. It is set to take on the likes Spotify, Rdio […]
Oregan Networks, a specialist in pay-TV systems, has become a member of the RDK (Reference Design Kit), a pre-integrated software bundle that provides a common framework for powering customer-premises equipment from TV service providers, and announced a strategic intent to align its engineering expertise and services with RDK’s initiatives. The RDK is supported by more […]
Cloud-based global video distribution and monetisation network Rightster is teaming up with electric single-seater car race series Formula E as an online video partner. The deal will see Rightster manage Formula E’s YouTube channel with particular focus on channel and rights management, social media amplification, programming support and cross-promotion across the relevant channels in Rightster’s […]
Comcast has unveiled voice-enabled television user interface, a solution that it sys will revolutionise the way its Xfinity TV customers, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, navigate the X1 platform. The “talking guide” features a female voice that reads aloud selections like programme titles, network names and time slots as well as DVR […]
Amazon has confirmed it will not charge Prime Instant Video members who own a 4K compatible television a premium to stream Ultra-HD content. Michael Paull, Amazon’s Vice President of Digital Video said: “We want to be the best entertainment destination for customers. We’re confident that offering Ultra-HD content, whether it’s a TV series or a […]
French telco Orange is looking for a new financial partner to invest in video sharing platform Dailymotion. According to daily Le Monde, Orange has not given up the idea to expand Dailymotion internationally. Orange has spent an additional €30 million on the platform since 2013 and Dailymotion still faces strategic questions about international growth. Last […]
In its efforts to combat online piracy and to raise awareness of the availability of legitimate content outlets, US movie industry body the MPAA is launching a new search site – WheretoWatch.com – to make it easy for consumers to find the shows and movies they love online, in movie theatres, on television and in […]
KnowHow Movies, the UK OTT entertainment service launched in March 2012 by Dixons Retail, is re-launching as CinemaNow, which it says means access to an even greater digital entertainment experience with a subscriber’s favourite films and TV shows. In an e-mail to subscribers, the service says that users will be seamlessly transported to its new […]
Xiaomi, China’s largest smartphone vendor, is set to acquire Youku Tudou shares on the open market and also license content from China’s most popular video-streaming site. Joy Han, a spokeswoman for Xiaomi, and Jay Chen, a Youku Tudou spokesman, both declined to comment on the amount of the investment. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s chief executive officer, […]
US trade groups the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group are teaming up to promote the latest Blu-ray Disc releases and emerging home entertainment technologies to consumers. The two organisations are collaborating to develop ‘The DEN (Digital Entertainment News) Presents Ben Lyons’, a year-long series of satellite media tours highlighting the […]