TouchTV
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, January 20, 2012 · 
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A free iPad app, called the “world’s first TV iPad app,” was released this week. Called Touchtv, the app reportedly has content from Fox, CBS, ABC, NBC, ESPN, OWN and E!.
The SkyGrid design will allow viewers to add more channels and personalize their Touchtv. SkyGrid reports that LG will incorporate Touchtv into the LG smart TVs. The SkyGrid download page also includes a version for Android.
Amazon’s Kindle Fire Pre-orders
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, October 7, 2011 · ·
From all reports Amazon continues to rack up large numbers of Kindle Fire pre-orders ahead of the November 15 release date. The Kindle Fire is a tablet device that incorporates wireless connectivity along with e-reader capabilities and other tablet functions in a 7-inch screen device. While there was a great deal of speculation after the initial unveiling as to the strength of the device against the established Apple iPad, in general analysts do not believe that the Kindle Fire is an iPad killer. Read more
TV Everywhere to Reach 80% of Pay-TV Subs by Mid-2011
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, May 9, 2011 · ·
By mid-2011, TV Everywhere services will be available to 81% of U.S. and Canadian pay-TV subscribers through their current service provider, according to a new Parks Associates report entitled TV Everywhere: Growth, Solutions, and Strategies.
U.S. TV service providers in particular have moved aggressively as consumer data show multiscreen services can help reduce churn and attract younger subscribers. Nearly 40% of U.S. broadband consumers ages 18-34 find TV Everywhere very appealing. Globally, service providers are expanding their multiscreen services due to competition from online video sources, the entrance of other operators, and the dramatic increase of online and mobile video usage over the past three years.
Cable Companies and Viacom Square Off Over Live TV iPad Apps
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, April 11, 2011 · ·
Time Warner Cable (TWC) and Viacom have each filed lawsuits in U.S. District Court in New York’s southern district related to the cable company’s iPad application, which allows viewers to watch live TV in their homes.
TWC first launched the controversial application last month and it immediately set off a firestorm of controversy related to video content rights. TWC initially offered about 30 cable networks, however, in the face of substantive opposition, the cable provider temporarily removed more than a dozen channels from its iPad line up.
In a pre-emptive legal move, TWC filed a request for declaratory judgment that says the cable company can transmit Viacom programming — such as MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon — to any device in a customer’s home.”We have steadfastly maintained that we have the rights to allow our customers to view this programming in their homes, over our cable systems, without artificial limits on the screens they can use to do so, and we are asking the court to confirm our view,” Time Warner Cable general counsel Marc Lawrence-Apfelbaum said Thursday. “With over 360,000 downloads of our TWCableTV™ app, it is clear that our customers welcome the convenience and flexibility our new app provides.”
In a separate lawsuit, Viacom asserts that TWC doesn’t have that permission under the current licensing agreement. Viacom also acknowledges that Time Warner Cable’s actions “will interfere with Viacom’s opportunities to license content to third-party broadband providers and to successfully distribute programming on its own broadband delivery sites.” Viacom is countersuing for breach of contract and copyright violations and is seeking injunctive relief and damages. Read more
Amid Controversy, Cablevision, TWC Launch Live TV iPad Apps
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, April 4, 2011 · ·
Time Warner Cable (TWC) recently announced the launch of the TWCable TV app for the Apple iPad, allowing video customers to stream live, linear television to the device at no additional charge.
TWC’s application requires customers to subscribe to both its television package and broadband service, and it is currently restricted to in-home viewing. To use this feature, customers download the app from the iTunes App Store, launch it, log in and scroll through the channel lineup to select preferred programming. TWC was the first out of the gate with this live streaming application, although many of its competitors already offer video on demand (VoD) services to the iPad.
TWC initially offered about 30 cable networks, however the cable provider soon faced opposition to its distribution strategy from several major cable networks. Late last week TWC abruptly removed 12 channels from its iPad app. Viacom, Fox Cable Networks, Scripps Networks and Discovery Communications were minutes away from filing their legal paperwork when the cable provider agreed to remove their channels, according to three people with knowledge of the planned filing.
Distributors such as Time Warner and Cablevision assert that their existing contracts with content providers allow them to turn iPads and other devices into TV sets. In fact, TWC said in a statement that it believed it had “every right to carry the programming on our iPad app” and it would consider its legal options.
For their part, the content providers expect additional payment for streaming to a tablet device, maintaining that it constitutes a new distribution channel. Content providers may also be worried about the security of their programming. Down the line the consumer will want — and expect – to take his tablet with him outside the home, and, as a result, the content might be accessible to hackers who can grab the signal without paying for it. Read more
Verizon Advances Video Agenda with Cloud TV, iPad and FiOS TV Online
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, August 23, 2010 · ·
Verizon is extending its FiOS video service beyond the living room to tablets, PCs and mobile devices.
Late last week Verizon CIO Shaygan Kheradpir hosted an event in New York City and offered a sneak peek of new features coming soon for FiOS customers, as well as some of the company’s long-term plans for FiOS TV. Verizon plans to offer live video programming as well as video-on-demand services to new platforms.
The service provider announced several new initiatives which rely on the concept of “cloud TV.” Flex View gives customers the ability to rent, purchase and watch video-on-demand programming on FiOS TV, the PC and select mobile devices. Flex View will initially support RIM’s BlackBerry Storm 2, the Droid 2 and Droid X and all Windows Mobile 6.5 devices, with more devices following soon. When it launches this fall, Verion plans to offer 3,000 movie titles, with rental and purchase prices ranging from $2 to $18. TV programming will follow soon after. Videos can be streamed over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G. Read more
Apps Seemingly Everywhere for TV
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, August 13, 2010 · ·
Many video providers are creating apps for the iPad.
Dish Network is “slinging” content to mobile devices such as the Apple iPad. Time Warner Cable is also developing a prototype application for the iPad. AT&T U-verse is making content available to smartphones. Verizon is developing a video application for devices than run Google’s Android operating system too. It seems like every distributor has or will have a means of making video content available to mobile devices.
Filling the “three screens” with content seems to be well on the way. Consumers will have many different choices for providers that can send content to whatever device is convenient, when it is convenient for the consumer to watch it. Is this a good thing, bad thing or just another part of the digital metamorphosis?
Mobility with the capability of effectively expanding the options for communications and entertainment is efficient.
Good or bad? Time will tell.
For more, see this Wall Street Journal article.