Here’s our take on some of the latest news at the intersection of technology and entertainment:
» Fine-tuning Tunerfish : Comcast’s social-TV app has more than just a really cute new logo; Tunerfish is looking to expand its foot– er, fin–print with e-mail-address sign-in instead of making users log in from Facebook or Twitter. Every little bit helps in the extremely competitive social-TV category; Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) has a built-in advantage with its footprint that it can’t afford to squander. [VentureBeat].
» iPad Cord-Cutting: New research from The Diffusion Group finds that iPad users are more likely to disconnect their cable. While’s that’s to be expected given iPad users are typically early adopters who are willing to toy with new technologies that could replace their subscription, these potential cord-cutters would be missing out: Comcast, for instance, is developing a iPad interface that would turn the device into a remote control on steroids. The iPad, and tablets in general, will be a companion screen to the 10-foot experience, so don’t go cutting your cords just yet. [Diffusion Group].
» Clearleap Funding: A company worth watching just took in an additional $4.5 million in funding. Clearleap’s ability to power online VOD makes it an interesting player given its potential for connecting over-the-top services like Roku (a client) and cable operators (six out of top 10 are already clients). There should be deals to come that could be game-changing in the multichannel space in which Clearleap could play a role. [CED Magazine].
» Video Monetization: Compelling though self-serving data from digital ad-management service Freewheel that indicates that viewers aren’t resisting advertising in premium long-form video. While pre-roll advertising continues to predominate, its TV-like “mid-roll” placements that may be more effective, with this exhaustive study’s citing of a 90% completion rate. Still, the bigger question is just how many ads–and at what duration–of mid-roll variety will send viewers running for the hills. [Freewheel].

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