CRM News: Media Convergence

The BBC's Olympian Streaming Ambitions
May 16, 2012

Today in international tech news: The BBC unveils plans to stream all 2,500 hours of the Summer Olympics. Elsewhere, Apple has reportedly engaged in talks with China Mobile, the world's biggest phone company, about teaming up to offer the iPhone; a criminal gets busted in Columbia for failing to log out of Facebook; and a report suggests most computer users in the world have acquired pirated wares.

Dish Offers New Ad-Vanishing DVR Service
May 11, 2012

Dish Network began offering a new service Thursday that lets users skip all commercials for shows broadcast on major networks when watched the day after the programming first aired. Dubbed "Auto Hop," the feature on Dish Network's digital video recorders allows users to bypass commercials on recorded HD prime-time programs from ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.

Waiting for Apple to Charge the Gates of TV Land
May 04, 2012

Speculation about Apple producing a television set that will revolutionize how we watch entertainment at home has been percolating for months, as has the arrival time for the super set. Initially, it was predicted to arrive in time for the 2011 holiday season; then it was going to share the stage with the new iPad in 2012; and when that didn't happen, it was pushed to sometime in 2012 or the first half of 2013.

Microsoft Pins $99 Price Tag on Xbox Bundle
May 03, 2012

Microsoft is reportedly planning to release its Xbox 360 bundle beginning next week for $99. If rumors are to be believed, it could rival a TV infomercial's promise -- "but wait, there's more" -- by including the Kinect motion control sensor with a 4 GB version of the game console. However, as with the infomercials, there is fine print, which in this case details a monthly subscription fee of $15.

Amazon: Hey, Gang - Let's Put On a Show!
May 02, 2012

Amazon is taking the long-expected step of developing its own content for Amazon Instant Video. It is doing so via its content development division, Amazon Studios, which uses audience feedback to suggest content for its customers. Now it has pushed this model further, though, inviting series creators to upload proposals for comedy and children's programming. Those selected will be distributed through Amazon Instant Video.

Smart TV May Be Too Smart for Its Own Good
April 27, 2012

If you've been anywhere near a consumer electronics retailer lately or have leafed through the consumer electronics circulars and ads that supplement Sunday newspapers, you've no doubt noticed the words "Smart TV" shouting out at you. And if you've been wondering what a Smart TV is, or whether whatever it is may be smarter than you are, read on.

Netflix Doubles Down on European Gambit
April 24, 2012

Today in international tech news: Netflix vows to increase its European expansion, malware shuts down Iranian oil facilities and government websites, a Chinese company challenges Apple on its use of the name "iPad," Giga OM looks at the roots of the recent YouTube/Germany dispute, and some 38,000 entrants in the London Marathon had their information published publicly.

Entertainment Device Convergence: The State of Play
April 13, 2012

The tumultuous convergence of entertainment devices, greater interaction with the television-viewing experience, and increased involvement of social networks were all in the Klieg lights at the IP&TV World Forum, the Internet television show I attended recently in London. I was immersed in the future of television content delivery mashed with user interaction.

Xbox Lassos More Content to Wrangle More Eyeballs
March 28, 2012

Microsoft continued to expand its television offerings for members of its Xbox Live Gold service Monday by adding HBO Go, Major League Baseball video and Comcast's on-demand video service. Comcast Xfinity TV allows Xbox Gold members to access the cable carrier's expansive library of entertainment programming whenever they want it.

IP&TV World Forum, Day 3: Multiscreen Mania
March 23, 2012

I'm surrounded by screens here at the Olympia exhibition hall -- tablet-sized, big screens, you name it -- and they all connect with each other. It's day three at the IP&TV World Forum. The lowly remote control can soon be buried under the sofa cushions for good, judging by the offerings from set-top box manufacturers here.

IP&TV World Forum, Day 2: The Future
March 22, 2012

I'm attending the IP&TV World Forum, aka the Internet Protocol Television Show, at the Olympia exhibition hall in sunny London. I have been checking out technologies being deployed in Europe that we may be seeing state-side very soon. HbbTV is a hybrid television delivery system available now in some European countries that combines synchronized broadcast with broadband.

IP&TV World Forum, Day 1: Disrupting a Disruptive Technology
March 21, 2012

Internet-delivered television was once thought of "disruptive," but it looks like it's about to be firmly adopted by common television programming suppliers worldwide and incorporated into their delivery systems. Looking around at the IP&TV World Forum, I'm seeing a whole bunch of monkey wrenches sitting on the sidelines. I'm at the stunning Victorian-era Olympia exhibition hall in a surprisingly sunny London.

Newspapers May Find Salvation in Mobile Apps
March 19, 2012

Despite 17 percent growth in monthly unique users at the top news sites in 2011, revenue remained an issue, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism, which cites data from Nielsen Online. Online advertising grew by 23 percent in 2011, but just five big tech companies now account for about half of all display ad revenue, notes Pew in "The State of the News Media 2012."

AT&T Flails in the Quicksand
March 17, 2012

The name of AT&T's pain, for this month anyway, is Matthew Spaccarelli. He's a customer that gave the carrier a small thumping in court, and that would have left AT&T with a very minor scab. But it seems the company just couldn't resist picking at it. It all started when Spaccarelli took AT&T to small-claims court over his smartphone data rate being throttled.

Cisco Bets Big Bucks on TV Services With NDS Buy
March 16, 2012

Cisco Systems has revealed plans to acquire NDS Group, paying $5 billion for the video software company as part of an effort to increase investment in its software and video services. NDS software ensures that paid digital content gets to appropriate set-top boxes, smart TVs and consumer gadgets.

Opening the Vault: How Classic B-Ball Footage Finds New Life Online
March 15, 2012

March Madness is upon us, and there are few better places for hoops fans to get their fix than the NCAA Vault. The Vault, powered by Thought Equity Motion, is a treasure for hoops nuts, hosting video content of the NCAA Basketball Tournament dating back to the 1970s -- dunks, buzzer-beaters, even entire games.

Has Intel Been Bitten by the Pay-TV Bug?
March 13, 2012

Intel is rumored to be considering entering the pay-television service market. The chipmaker reportedly has reached out to media companies and cable channels as part of its research. The service would be based on a Web-connected set-top box that could offer both streaming TV and video-on-demand programming.

Will CNN and Mashable Mesh?
March 12, 2012

Reports are circulating that CNN is finalizing a $200 million deal to acquire the social news and technology website Mashable. CNN has been looking to match CBS' acquisition of Cnet for at least three years, said Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group, but network officials were unable to reach an agreement on a property until now. "They want something that is more social, more trendy, and has a bit of technology edge," he said.