Online video ads are growing at a rapid rate but almost all of them are appearing on the desktop. Here’s some stats that also include a look at video ads on mobile and connected TV. Read more at paidContent »
20 companies invested in Google TV came together in Seoul last week to talk about the future of the platform. Some hardware partners have already begun to work on the next version of Google TV. Read more »
Users of Amazon Prime Instant Video will be able to stream more shows from CBS and Showtime, including past seasons of America’s Next Top Model, Everybody Loves Raymond and The L Word. Read more at paidContent »
Netflix doesn’t release any ratings for its original content – but it’s keeping a very close watch on who is viewing what in order to greenlight and promote shows. Read more »
Comcast’s purchase of the 49 percent of NBCUniversal that it didn’t already own was expected to take several years, but the cable provider said Tuesday it has bought the rest of the company for $16.7 billion. Read more at paidContent »
HBO is bringing its HBO Go service to more screens by adding AirPlay support – but it’s not ready to offer an online-only subscription any time soon. Read more »
The rise of long-form TV dramas is often attributed to networks like HBO and Showtime, but Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton believes it’s a direct result of Netflix and digital video recorders. Read more »
Netflix is partnering with DreamWorks to release its first original children’s show this December. Netflix will also add new DreamWorks films to its streaming lineup. Read more at paidContent »
A Sonos speaker – for your television: That’s the idea behind the Playbar, the company’s first soundbar. It’s a big step for a company like Sonos, which is about to get a whole lot more competition. Read more »
The new WD TV Play comes with a simple UI, a focus on the key apps you need and a competitive $70 price tag. Check out our review to see if that’s money well spent. Read more »
Dish Networks is selling a controversial device called the Hopper that lets viewers skip commercials. Company chairman Charlie Ergen said TV watching is changing and that Dish is not using the Hopper to extract lower fees from broadcasters. Read more at paidContent »
Microsoft’s Los Angeles studios is working on interactive TV content for the Xbox Live platform. First shows are set to launch before the end of the year. Read more »
What if you could watch a movie before its theatrical release on Hulu? Subscribers of Hulu’s Japanese service will have the chance to do just that next week — but only if they’re quick. Read more at paidContent »
New episodes of CBS’s Under the Dome will be available for viewing on Prime Instant Video four days after they’re first broadcast on CBS. It’s the first time that Amazon has offered streaming access to an in-season show. Read more at paidContent »
Google is partnering with the U.K. satellite-TV box Freesat to offer an HTML5 YouTube channel. Freesat, which is backed by the BBC and ITV, is a set-top satellite TV box that offers 180 channels and doesn’t require a monthly subscriptin. Read more at paidContent »
The first season of House of Cards is full of intrigue and plot twists — but the drama it’s created for the television industry is almost as compelling. Read more at paidContent »
To the frustration of consumers now used to digital distribution, the TV industry stubbornly refuses to unbundle its expensive channel packages. The CEO of upstart Aereo explains why he is taking them on. Read more »
Group video chat startup Rabbit wants to compete with Skype and Google+ Hangouts. But is it compelling enough to get users to install yet another app? Read more »
GetGlue’s new iPhone app takes conversations about TV shows to facebook. Next up for the company is to add online-exclusive content from Hulu and elsewhere. Read more at paidContent »
Adding subtitles to YouTube videos just got easier: Amara now allows YouTube users to crowdsource captioning of their videos, which could help YouTube producers to grow their audience. Read more »
Upstart Aereo is taking on the TV industry from a single floor in Brooklyn where it has stuffed thousands of tiny antennas and top notch transcoders and servers. Here’s a primer on how it works — plus some pictures from the inside. Read more »
Twitter is said to be looking at acquiring Bluefin Labs, which would fit the trajectory that the real-time information network has been on for some time. But is cozying up to traditional TV the only future for Twitter? Read more »
The Super Bowl drove millions to their TV screens – and away from the computer. Internet traffic was down 15 percent Sunday night, despite the availability of a live stream of the event. Read more »
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has launched a year-long web series, 82nd & Fifth. In 100 two-minute videos, which will be posted two at a time every Wednesday through December 25, curators talk about “art that changed the way they see the world.” Read more at paidContent »
Netflix’s got a unique approach to distributing its original content: Post all the episodes at once, then encourage the audience to mainline it. But what’s the actual experience of binge-viewing like? This reporter boldly investigates. Read more at paidContent »
Next up for NextGuide is… some soup? Dijit, the company behind the NextGuide app, is acquiring the assets of social TV check-in startup Miso. Read more »
Amazon announced Friday that by the end of 2013, Prime Instant Video will be the only paid streaming service to offer episodes of Downton Abbey. Hulu Plus and Netflix will lose access. Read more at paidContent »
Time Warner Cable’s $4 modem fee has cost it a few new customers suspect Wall Street analysts, but it is adding to sales and won’t have a long term affect. Read more »
Sure, consumers still buy a whole lot of DVDs – but they’re also starting to spend money on movie rentals on their Xboxes and Windows 8 devices. Read more at paidContent »
Amazon Studios has chosen its first five pilots for children’s shows, including offerings from the creators of Blue’s Clues and Rugrats. User feedback will help determine whether the shows go into production. Read more at paidContent »
Super Bowl XLVII is once again getting the live streaming treatment, complete with multiple camera angles and the entire half-time show. Check out our ultimate guide for more information. Read more »
Netflix is about to launch the first season of its original drama House Of Cards. It’s like a premium cable drama – but available to cord cutters. Read more »
Antigua says it can disregard American patent and copyright law, thanks to a trade ruling. Here’s a quick summary plus a funny Taiwanese video to explain it all. Read more »
YouTube is getting rid of a promotional platform that was meant to offer easy access to third-party video editing apps – and that step irks at least one of YouTube’s partners. Read more »
Still waiting for Apple to announce a big-screen TV? Then you might have to wait a bit longer: The next Apple TV device will be even smaller than the currently-selling version. Read more »