The third quarter saw many parts of the traditional media business in flux. Other developments included the rollout of new device-based content ecosystems, red flags and red ink for traditional consumer electronics makers, and a resurgence of consumer purchases of movies. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Akamai is rolling out new capabilities to its HD Network for video distribution that will make it even easier for content owners to securely distribute content to nearly any device. Targeting new UltraViolet services, Akamai hopes to simplify distribution while adding more security features for customers. Read more »
UltraViolet is Hollywood’s first real effort at breaking the Apple stranglehold. The idea is that by implementing a digital rights locker, the studios involved will enable viewers to purchase a piece of content once and watch it on any device. And it’s finally available now. Read more »
Best Buy is treading carefully into the connected TV space, introducing two new models of TVs that rely on a TiVo-powered user interface and Chumby apps for additional content. But savvy buyers might be disappointed by the lack of streaming services available on the new TVs. Read more »
The DECE has finally completed the backend work needed to roll out services based on its UltraViolet initiative. Now Hollywood needs to spread the word to consumers about what UltraViolet is, how it works and most importantly, why they will want to buy movies again. Read more »
Best Buy customers can start downloading movies straight to their LG Blu-ray player soon, thanks to a new download service launched by the retailer later this month. The service will be called CinemaNow – a name that brings back memories for digital media insiders. Read more »
TV apps — interactive, web-like applications meant to “enhance” the TV viewing experience by supplementing programming content with additional material and activities — are evolving quickly from a novelty feature on some Internet-enabled HDTVs and a few cable systems to a standard capability. Their rise is driven by rapid growth in the number of Internet-connected devices in consumers’ living rooms, growing consumer familiarity with mobile apps and strategic competitive forces that influence video service providers. In this report, we look at the market dynamics, key players, and provide forecasts for the market, including network-connected televisions, embedded app marketplaces, app downloads, paid TV apps, and revenue from the sale of paid apps to consumers, which will grow from $10 million in 2010 to $1.9 billion by 2015. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Sonic Solutions is growing the amount of on-demand TV content it will have available through its Roxio CinemaNow service, striking a deal with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution that will allow it to sell TV shows the day after they air on TV. Episodes will be sold […] Read more »
Sonic Solutions CEO Dave Habiger thinks that consuming movies online is about to become mainstream any day now. Habiger, whose company bought the movie rental site CinemaNow in 2008, stopped by our office yesterday to tell us why he is optimistic about Internet-based movie delivery despite […] Read more »
For years, people have gone to Wal-Mart and Best Buy to buy DVDs and Blu-ray discs of their favorite movies, but pretty soon those brick-and-mortar stores will be coming to them, in the form of digital storefronts through HDTVs, Blu-ray players and other connected devices. Wal-Mart’s […] Read more »
From a business built largely on delivering video to the PC, IP-video delivery is increasingly focused on the TV screen, as HDTV sets, Blu-ray Disc players and other consumer electronics devices get upgraded with Internet connectivity. At the same time, the movement toward TV Everywhere promises ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
From the tragedy of 9/11 to the groundbreaking election of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States, the first decade of the 21st century had its fair share of memorable moments. However, what really set these years apart from decades before is […] Read more »
UPDATED Sonic Solutions, best known for its movie download platform Roxio CinemaNow, is partnering with DivX Inc. to make its movie titles available in the DivX format. CinemaNow will launch a new web site dedicated to DivX downloads at divx.cinemanow.com tomorrow, with the goal of tapping […] Read more »
CBS Interactive Dumps Ad Networks; CBS will soon begin selling all inventory for CBS.com, Gamespot, TV.com and CNET on its own, rather than use third-party ad networks. (AdAge) Eisner’s Vuguru Hires Agility Studios’ Tanz As President; before running Agility, Tanz was president and CEO of LivePlanet, […] Read more »
Best Buy announced today that it will be licensing Sonic Solutions’ CinemaNow platform to power an over-the-top video delivery service for the electronics retailer. This agreement expands on the partnership the two companies entered into earlier this summer. The multi-year deal will have Best Buy getting […] Read more »
