The purpose of the on-screen guide has shifted. By connecting the guide to content-recommendation engines and advertising platforms, service providers and connected-TV device manufacturers are using the EPG as an access point for understanding consumers and reaching out to them to own the living room. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Research firm Parks Associates finds that nearly one-fifth of premium cable subscribers would consider switching their entertainment dollars to Netflix. And 16 percent of cable/satellite subscribers would consider subscription video-on-demand over their pay TV provider’s VOD service. Read more at paidContent »
After a few months in private beta, social video recommendations site Matcha.tv has publicly launched with new features, including the ability to help users organize and keep track of the TV shows and movies they love. It’s also added Comcast’s XfinityTV.com as a content partner. Read more »
Netflix is bidding for the rights to an upcoming Arrested Development TV comeback: The cult show will return to the TV screen for ten more episodes, and Netflix wants to outbid Showtime and others to show it exclusively to its subscribers. Read more »
For all the head-scratching and chin-pulling over Netflix’s decision to separate its DVD and streaming businesses, one important aspect of the move has gone largely overlooked: the effective separation of its movie and TV content businesses, which splits the company along content lines. While that may ... Read more at GigaOM Pro »
A quarter of people in countries with access to high-speed broadband are streaming their television, although more than 80 percent are also still watching broadcast television as well. According to data from Ericsson, fewer people are watching broadcast TV while Internet-options are on the rise. Read more »
Back episodes of Showtime series Dexter and Californication will be returning to Netflix’s streaming library, thanks to a new deal with CBS. But U.S. fans won’t be able to view them, as the rights are for Canada and Netflix’s new Latin America markets. Read more »
With plans to expand into 43 Latin American countries and a dramatic change to its pricing plans, Netflix has a lot of big changes expected. Through management commentary and Q&A with financial analysts, CEO Reed Hastings will try to quell any fears. Read more »
While this year’s Emmy nominees once again neglected to recognize any web originals, that hasn’t stopped Hollywood from enlisting Internet-originating content for adaptation. But is Rhett and Link hopping to IFC and Lisa Kudrow moving Web Therapy to Showtime good or bad for web series? Read more »
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said this morning that one of the things he’s most proud of is beating BitTorrent, at least in the U.S. Now, he says, the challenge is to beat copyright infringement in places like Korea, where it runs rampant. Read more »
Want to watch the premiere episode of the new Starz show Camelot on Netflix? Then you’d better be patient: Starz introduces a 90-day window for its content starting April 1st. However, this isn’t really just about Camelot. Starz simply wants a better deal with Netflix. Read more »
So now we know why Netflix has decided to go-it-alone and license new original programming directly from production companies: It’s soon going to see popular scripted series like Dexter and Californication from cable networks like Showtime begin disappearing from its streaming library. Read more »
Microsoft is reportedly in talks to bring more TV content to its Xbox Live service. One option on the table is to directly license cable networks like HBO and Showtime, another is to compete with Comcast & Co. on their home turf by selling cable-like subscription bundles. Read more »
Showtime is working on its own TV Everywhere play with a website that will offer subscribers online access to its programming, according to a report from Bloomberg. The CBS-owned premium cable channel apparently plans something similar to HBO Go, a site launched by HBO in February. […] Read more »
Virgin Media Launches Movie Streaming Service; Virgin Media has launched its own browser-based movie streaming service, available to anybody in the UK — not just the cable provider’s own subscribers. (Last 100) Amazon Hopes to Drive 3-D Sales Via Consumer Education; the online retailer has started […] Read more »
