Broadband Content Bits: Lycos; RipeTV; MSN Video; ESPN360; SingAlongs

Lycos Bolsters Broadband Content Offerings: Lycos is trying to ramp up its broadband offerings in U.S…it launched a footbal World Cup channel couple of months ago, and now, it has launched Update Hollywood, which gives Lycos viewers free access to the movie trailers, film clips, behind the scenes footage, information on DVD releases and exclusive celebrity interviews hosted by Hollywood insider Martin Grove.
Ripe Digital Entertainment Launches OctaneTV: Ripe Digital Entertainment, a VOD and broadband content startup company, has launched OctaneTV, a multiplatform video channel aimed at young car enthusiasts…the new network will be available in 22 million cable homes, including Comcast and Time Warner systems, and OctaneTV.com.
MSN Gets Strong Start in Online Video Advertising: This week-old story we missed: MSN has spent heavily to accumulate Web rights to an array of programming from major TV networks, from Fox’s “Arrested Development” to CBS’s “Rock Star Supernova” to NBC’s “Today” show. The result: MSN has emerged as a top video site in terms of traffic, behind Yahoo, and the first choice for many online video advertisers, says this story.
ESPN Charges ISP To Offer ESPN360: Not that big a deal, since this was public knowledge from the start, though WSJ belives it founda scoop here. Anyway, some good details: it has signed up Verizon and Charter. Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable are refusing so far. Adelphia was on board but TWC and Comcast discontinued access after acquiring the bankrupt company’s assets and divvying up its systems.
Cyber Sing-Alongs Get Serious: A good story about online karaoke and talent competitions…exmaples of new ocmpanies in this space are SingShot, kSolo (bought by Fox Interactive) and Bix (which we covered in a post earlier today).
iPod’s Starring Role in Video: The market for video-capable portable media players (PMPs) will increase 1282 percent to 5 million units worldwide by the end of 2006, an analyst said Thursday, thanks to Apple’s video iPod. That figure compares with just 390,000 units in 2004, In-Stat industry analyst Stephanie Ethier said.
This BCB is sponsored by thePlatform.

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