Verizon Subscription Streaming?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, December 9, 2011 · 
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It was widely reported on December 8 that Verizon was planning a Netflix-type killer service. Described as a subscription on-demand video service featuring films and television episodes, the new service started to take on additional intrigue when it was revealed that Verizon is in discussions with RedBox.
RedBox, recognized for providing a simple, user-friendly and low-cost kiosk service, also has been rumored to have a streaming service under consideration. The Verizon element adds fuel to the probability fire. Information provided by Verizon indicates that the service will be totally Internet based and will likely support Apple’s iOS platform, Android, Google TV, XBox, Roku and other streaming boxes and browsers.
If the rumors are true that launch is planned for mid second quarter 2012, Verizon will need to get busy putting TV show deals together.
For more, see this Reuters article.
Boxee Adds Local Ability
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, November 18, 2011 · ·
Intent on drawing the video cord-cutting crowd to the Boxee solution, Boxee today introduced a new add-on that helps keep viewers in the Boxee box.
The new “wrinkle” is a dongle that attaches to the Boxee via USB and provides a coaxial connection to an antenna or pay-TV device. The live dongle will allow a user to integrate local broadcast signals or content from cable, satellite or telco into the Boxee experience.
According to Boxee, the majority of highly rated television programs originate on “free,” over-the-air broadcast channels. For many viewers, the all-in-one approach of Boxee integrating OTT content like Hulu and Netflix along with the over-the-air signals creates a compelling alternative to pay-TV.
Report: Netflix Accounts for 32% of Peak Internet Traffic
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, October 31, 2011 · ·
According to a new report Netflix accounts for 32.7% of peak downstream traffic in the United States, exceeding HTTP usage which accounted for 17.8% of the bandwidth, YouTube videos at 10% and BitTorrent file-sharing at 9%.
The 10th Global Internet Phenomena Report: Fall 2011 was released by Sandvine Inc., a Waterloo, Canada, networking equipment company. The report also offered additional insight into Internet trends: Read more
Netflix Adds Content, Discontinues Plans for Qwikster
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, October 17, 2011 · ·
Beginning in the Fall of 2012, Netflix will provide on-demand access to current and future programming from the CW. Warner Brothers Television and CBS announced on October 13 that they had reached agreement with Netflix on a four year on-demand deal.
“Netflix is a model that opens a new door for The CW programming to expand its audience reach through the terrific Netflix service and creates a brand-new window for CBS and Warner Bros,” said Les Moonves, CEO of CBS Inc.
Like Hulu, Netflix will be providing programming from networks after it has aired once on its originating network. It remains to be seen whether this availability begins to act as an alternative for viewers who may want to “time shift” network programs by accessing them from a source other than the network and its local affiliate.
In related news, Netflix announced on October 10 that it has discontinued plans for a separate DVD by mail service called Qwikster. Instead, U.S. subscribers will continue to use one website, one account and one password for their movie and TV watching enjoyment under the Netflix brand. In addition, Netflix announced that is “done with the price changes.” Read more
Netflix Splits into Two Companies
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, September 19, 2011 · (2) ·
Via a blog post issued Sunday evening, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced that the company has decided to split into two separate entities: Netflix for its subscription-based online streaming service and Qwikster for DVD rentals by mail.
This decision comes on the heels of a recent price hike that had Netflix subscribers taking to industry blogs to voice their frustrations with the changes. Some subscribers also canceled their subscriptions, which led to a decline in stock price.
In the same blog post, Hastings issued an apology for the company’s strategic communications errors. “I messed up. I owe everyone an explanation,” he wrote. “In hindsight, I slid into arrogance based upon past success. We have done very well for a long time by steadily improving our service, without doing much CEO communication….But now I see that given the huge changes we have been recently making, I should have personally given a full justification to our members of why we are separating DVD and streaming, and charging for both. It wouldn’t have changed the price increase, but it would have been the right thing to do.” Read more
VOTW: Amazon to Launch Netflix-Like Book Service?
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, September 12, 2011 · ·
And last but not least, our video of the week (VOTW): today’s CNet roundup. HP launches the TopShot LaserJet Pro printer that can scan 3D objects, Netflix finally arrives on most Android phones — stating that 82% of Android users can now watch Netflix movies on their devices — and Amazon.com is rumored to be in talks with major publishers to launch a Netflix-like service for books.
One Disc and Limited Streaming?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, September 9, 2011 · ·
Nearly everyday this week there has been a short article in one of the trades trying to get the complete story straight on what it is that Netflix is or isn’t allowing in its new subscription packages. Read more