NBC Affiliates Online 
By Sherri - (0) comments April 22, 2006



It seems the amount of NBC programming available online is about to get bigger, a lot bigger. NBC Universal's 213 affiliate stations have created a partnership to sell local station content on the Internet.

The deal might involve the sale of content over the Yahoo! Inc. portal, but actual details are a bit fuzzy at this time.

The idea of making local content available online is a pretty neat one, especially for news hounds and those who want to check out what's going on in other locales through the eyes of local newscasters and talk show hosts. How popular the idea will be, however, remains to be seen.

The market for local news broadcasts and original content from affiliates most likely is quite small. Since this deal doesn't include the primetime offerings that are currently available on iTunes, its overall impact to the download world will likely be small, but it sure will greatly expand the offerings.

How soon the content will hit the Net or where remains unclear.

Source: iMedia Connection

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AAAH! The Horror Channel is Coming! 
By Stacy - (0) comments April 21, 2006



Do you like to scream? Are crazed knife wielding maniacs your idea of a fun evening?

Then the new on-demand horror channel is aimed at you. This channel is a joint venture between Comcast and Sony Pictures. What interested me was the plan to have an internet, wireless and cable channel, all in one launched together. This clearly shows that the traditional model of what a channel is has begun to change. The internet should not be an extra, but a vital part. I was a little disappointed after reading the article that the launch would not be simultaneous, but cable would come first with the internet to follow on Halloween 2006. But that is OK, considering the approach that they have decided to take.

Viewers will also get the equivalent of DVD extras via the Internet, including exclusive horror outtakes, music downloads, a “scream fest,” original animation, and behind-the-scenes footage. The online component may also include community features such as chats and message boards.

The wireless component will include horror ringtones, sound effects, and other features designed for cell phones.

She added that Comcast is looking at various applications for the mobile platform, and she didn’t rule out downloadable clips for cell phones. ‘We’re launching initially with online and video on demand and we will work on the wireless concurrently,” she said.

Source: Red Herring

There isn't any immediate plan to create original programming. This is mainly based on the vast size of the Sony catalogue which includes such classics as Night of the Living Dead and Amityville Horror, along with newer releases like Hostel. There is also the possibility of old television programs as well, but it seems to be focused mainly on film.

This should be a call to all the television networks and cable channels that a redefining of the medium is not just coming but is here.

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With New Content Comes New PC's 
By Stacy - (0) comments

For the internet video revolution to succeed all the pieces have to fit together. As we have seen the first big blocks are falling into place. With services like iTunes, YouTube, Google Video and IN2TV the available content is huge and is continuing to grow. Investors, advertisers, cable and network companies are all hurrying to get involved in this expanding field. The download speed and size restraints are also changing for the better. The last piece of this puzzle is the PC. Media Center PC's have been around for a couple of years but were fairly useless because of there wasn't anything available to download until recently. What exactly is a Media Center PC, it is an PC designed with entertainment in mind. This involves the inclusion of high end audio and video components, faster processors, TV tuners, and the hook ups to connect to TV's or stereo equipment. The problem in the past was price as well but this is also fallen.

That's a turning point that might turn computer shoppers toward entertainment PCs, says tech analyst Roger Kay at Endpoint Technologies Associates. "It's a pretty good stimulus," he says.

Early Media Center PC's cost about $1,500, in part because Microsoft insisted computer makers use pricey, high-end components in PC's bearing the name, says Duboise. Microsoft relaxed the requirements last summer, she says. The average price promptly fell 20% from $1,021 in June to $817 in July.

The drop caused sales to climb — which in turn allowed PC makers to lower manufacturing costs. In March, the average price was $737, Current Analysis says.

Source:USA Today

Other products have also increased due to the success of internet television such as, Media laptops, TV's that are PC compatible, and wireless networking equipment. Check out reviews for the latest Media PC's and laptops at PC Magazine or Cnet.com.

All of theses gain from each other; better content is provided because faster downloads and better computers exist and, of course, these exist because better content is provided.

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Cartoon Wars Episode On iTunes 
By Sherri - (0) comments



The second part of "South Park's" Cartoon Wars two-part episode has made its way to iTunes' download store. Selling for $1.99, the installment made a lot of waves during Easter week when creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker took a major jab at Comedy Central and its inconsistent stance on censorship.

The lampoon loving pair had initially wanted to include a scene with the Muslim prophet Mohammed depicted, but the network gave it a thumbs down. Parker and Stone complied with the request to cut the scene, but in their own way. They instead ran a title card that said "Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Mohammed on their network."

Pointing out the hypocrisy supported by major media and entertainment outlets like Comedy Central, the episode ended up showing images of Jesus defecating on the American flag and President Bush. These, of course, were allowed by the network, during the Christian holy week no less.

What began as an effort to lampoon the uproar that followed a Danish newspaper’s publishing of political cartoons depicting Mohammed, turned into a serious illustration of the what's OK for some isn't OK for others mentality that has prevailed in recent history.

It's true the Muslim religion bans depictions of Mohammed, but it's also true depictions of Christ in such a manner would be considered blasphemous by Christians.

The episode, in the end, wound up offending Christians, dyed-in-the-wool Americans and most likely Muslims anyway since its intent was still made pretty darn clear. So, I suppose, Stone and Parker managed, even in the face of censorship, to maintain their equal opportunity lampooning stance.

The episode's rated the No. 2 download on iTunes right now, falling one slot behind the S.O.S. episode of "Lost."

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AT&T Joining Online TV Craze 
By Sherri - (0) comments



Critics may call it a fad. They point out its current shortcomings. But, ready or not, the online television craze is here and it's here to stay.

With mega names like Apple, Disney, ABC, NBC, Michael Eisner, AOL and more all getting on board, there's only good things to come. Count on it.

Now, telephone giant AT&T seems to be catching the Internet TV bug. The telephone service provider is getting ready to launch its own TV service that will allow customers to download shows and movies from the Internet with a box on top of their TV set.

The new service is being called Homezone and in conjunction with media library company Akimbo will bring over 10,000 shows from mainstream television and abroad, available for instant download. Akimbo has the access to such programs off the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, A&E, CNN, as well as other cable networks. …

Homezone will not be AT&T's first jump into the television market; the company has been offering satellite television service with Dish Networks since 2003.
Digital Lifestyle

This move, of course, will only benefit customers of AT&T, but the increase in interest can only be a good thing. With more companies coming onboard, we can only expect better quality and more choice in the weeks, months and years ahead.

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Free Content, More Added To iTunes 
By Sherri - (0) comments April 20, 2006



TV fans without a budget to buy can take advantage of some free offerings iTunes has loaded up over the past few days.

The latest additions include an "Apprentice" clips compilation and the first few episodes of "O’Grady" season two. The last entry includes five full episodes at no charge (right now).

"O’Grady" is a cartoon voiced by "Late Night's" Conan O'Brien and "Saturday Night Live's" Amy Poehler, among others. It's reported to be hysterically funny, but I must admit I have not checked it out yet. With five episodes up and running at no cost, I'll have to soon though.

"The Apprentice" clip show runs more than 40 minutes and includes highlights from the first eight episodes of Season 5.

Also new are a host of Disney shorts from the past. Viewers can take a stroll down memory lane with such shorts as "Squatters Rights" and "Pluto's Blue Note." Unlike some of the other new additions, these will cost you - $1.99 a short.

Sounds like some pretty cool additions - especially the free offerings. Even though iTune's $1.99 price is more than affordable for most, it's nice to see some teaser shows out there at no charge.

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Yahoo Buys Up Meedio Technology 
By Sherri - (0) comments



Bolstering its plans to become a major force in portable information and entertainment, Yahoo has bought most of Meedio's technology. The Meedio company makes software that transforms PCs into DVRs and digital media organizers, linking them to TV sets.

The deal includes most, but not all, of Meedio's technology. The move appears to be designed to shore up Yahoo! Go's television component.

The Meedio deal will let Yahoo further its goal of extending its reach beyond the browser and onto "the connected devices throughout consumers' lives," a Yahoo spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail message.

Earlier this year, Yahoo made a big splash with the introduction of its Yahoo! Go initiative, whose goal is to extend the access to Yahoo online services and content beyond the PC to other devices. The TV portion of Yahoo Go isn't available yet, but Yahoo has said it will allow access from TVs to photo albums, online radio stations, music clips, as well as search for video on the Web. Yahoo does have an existing agreement with TiVo, the popular provider of DVR devices and services, to let TiVo subscribers access Yahoo services through the TiVo TV-based interface.
PC World

The Yahoo! Go service basically is designed to tie customers' computers, television sets and cell phones together in a package that enables instant access just about anywhere a person may travel. Its full implications are not known yet, but it sounds like it's going to shape up to be one worth paying attention to - especially for those with busy lives and a penchant for technology.

Check out Yahoo! Go by clicking here.

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ABC, eBay Team Up For Reality TV 
By Sherri - (0) comments



ABC and eBay have announced plans to team up for the creation of a new reality TV show. Currently dubbed "Make It Happen," the show will help families realize their dreams by giving them a chance to place items on eBay where viewers of the show will then be able to bid on items.

The show is expected to have two installments a week. The first one will air on Mondays to allow the families and their aspirations to be announced to viewers. The second show will air on Fridays and will basically be a follow-up to the five days of bidding. The joint venture between ABC, eBay and Madison Road Entertainment is expected to debut this summer.

Whether or not this title will actually be included in ABC's overall online plans for day-after Internet viewing remains unclear, but the melding of the online and TV worlds sounds pretty interesting. The show's concept, too, doesn't sound half bad.

I'm personally not a huge fan of reality TV (I get a big enough dose through everyday living thank you very much), but this one sounds strangely compelling. It's kind of neat to think of bidders being able to step in and help a family help itself, while get something in return for the effort.

We'll keep you informed about this title and if there are plans to include it in the big ABC online streaming experiment this summer.

Source: Media Daily News

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Smaller, Faster Video Downloads 
By Stacy - (0) comments April 19, 2006


If you're an avid television downloader like me, then you have had to wait, and sometimes wait and wait, for a movie or TV show to download. This can be a real pain depending on your level of patience. I don't really like to wait, for me one of the big pluses of the internet is the almost instance gratification of being able to watch when I want to watch. That's why I was excited when I read about EuclidVision(if you are interested in the technical side check out their company website). This is a video compression system that was originally created by Euclid Discoveries for use in video conferencing. Their claims are pretty impressive and could completely alter the internet television and movie download market.

Euclid Discoveries says a full-length movie that requires 700 megabytes of storage when compressed using MPEG-4 would use just 50 megabytes when compressed with EuclidVision. At that size, 14 movies could fit on a standard CD-ROM disk. As for video downloading, it would take an hour for someone with a 1.5 megabit-per-second broadband connection to download a 700-megabyte file. But 50 megabytes would take less than five minutes. ''It would solve a big bottleneck," said Christopher Chute, senior research analyst at IDC Corp. in Framingham. ''One of the reasons video has always been cumbersome . . . is it requires so much storage space."

Smaller movie files could be a boon to major Hollywood studios, which have begun to embrace Internet movie downloads. Last week, two online companies, MovieLink and CinemaNow, began selling downloadable copies of popular films. Downloads can take as long as two hours. EuclidVision could make the process far faster.

Source: Boston Globe

Only ten minutes for a full movie would mean more downloads and hopefully more programming on the web. But downloads would not be the only thing affected, streaming would change and there is also potential for more high-definition programs. There is, of course, the continued fear about piracy. There are some claims that this technology would, by making television and movies easier to download, increase illegal coping and distributing. I hope that fear doesn't keep EuclidVision from happening. Keeping the market as it is isn't going to work. If Hollywood wants to fight piracy then they should work with the technology not against it.

Eisner Embraces Online TV 
By Sherri - (0) comments April 18, 2006



All the major networks, including possibly PBS, have jumped onboard the online TV bandwagon. Now, Disney's former CEO Michael Eisner has reportedly taken a driver's seat.

The AP is reporting that Eisner has put money down on a company that will create an Internet-based TV delivery system. He also will be on the board of Veoh Networks Inc., a San Diego-based company that plans to create programming for the Internet.

Veoh is in talks with TV networks about distributing their content online, said Dmitry Shapiro, the company's founder and CEO. For now, the site offers public domain shows and movies and content contributed by users.

"We'd like to get the widest selection of content available," Shapiro said. "Having Michael involved in the company gives us incredible credibility, experience and knowledge, not to mention the contacts."
Seattlepi

Boy does it ever. Whether you're a fan of Eisner or not, his work at Disney turned what was already an entertainment powerhouse into what can best be described as a monumental behemoth. The company's name can be found attached to just about every entertainment vehicle imaginable now and its franchises are too many to list. A lot of this is courtesy of Eisner's aggressive moves.

Veoh can be found by clicking here.

Right now it's iPod and PSP compatible and is loaded with original programs in a multitude of different channels.

Veoh software, installed on PCs or Macs, creates a virtual television network, that is able to distribute TV-Quality, Full-Screen broadcast video to hundreds of millions of users with broadband internet connections. Motion picture studios, television networks, companies, organizations, and individuals are able to publish unlimited amounts of broadcast video content to the network, providing consumers with unparalleled choice in television programming, and control over their viewing experience.
Veoh

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Bert and Ernie Online? 
By Stacy - (0) comments


All the networks, now, have a presence either in television streaming or downloads. But the Public Broadcasting Company is easy to forget, even though it probably was your favorite channel for years. I know I spent a good part of childhood watching Sesame Street and old Doctor Who, so I was happy to hear that PBS is considering joining the internet television market. This is being spurred on by PBS's new CEO Paula Kerger. She wants PBS to have a presence in every available platform. Kerger is pushing for some manner of download or streams, saying that several of the PBS stations who make their own programs have already begun offering these for free online. Charlie Rose is already selling his shows on Google for $0.99.

She (Kerger) also pointed to PBS's archive of educational shows like Nature, Frontline and other documentaries as a possible resource that could be accessed "anytime, anywhere."
"So I think we probably will look at partnerships," she told reporters after the speech. She said initial discussions were under way with possible corporate partners, but PBS was trying to figure out the right direction.
"I think we will not do a full flung leap into any one area. I think we'll start to experiment and I think we'll experiment along the product that seems to make the most sense," she said.

Source: Reuters

There is a great deal of potential for PBS programs online. There are some fears that this could negatively affect PBS, just as some people feel Podcast have affected NPR (National Public Radio). There are some claims that Podcasts have decreased the amount of donations that many NPR stations receive. The same fear holds true for PBS programs online but I think that the PBS catalogue is strong enough to offer older content that people would watch, perhaps even purchase. This month, with ABC's ad based free offer and FOX making its deal, has really proven that internet TV has a lot of potential and nobody wants to miss the opportunity (I'm talking to you HBO). I think PBS can make it work and maybe generate some needed income.

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SOAPnet To Replay Daytime Emmys 
By Sherri - (0) comments



Capping off its celebration of the Daytime Emmys, SOAPnet has announced it will replay the 33rd annual awards April 29 at 9 a.m. EST. The awards ceremony is set for April 28 at Hollywood’s Kodak Theater.

The cable channel has an extensive online site that provides users with a host of information about the world of soap operas, including a ton of video clips. It also intends to launch SOAPNETIC.com, an always-on broadband channel dedicated to soap fans. The initial press release for the site said it would launch today, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

SOAPNETIC will be available to consumers on computers via a high-speed data connection from high-speed Internet providers. The streamed video content offered on the new broadband service is encoded at a high bitrate which enables fast transmission for viewing high-quality video content.

This announcement is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group's overall Digital Media multiplatform business initiative and demonstrates the Group's ongoing commitment to launching new broadband and other digital products and working with strategic partners in the digital media space to make its high-quality, informative and entertaining content available to consumers whenever and wherever they choose.
Source: SOAPNETIC media release

When it does launch, no doubt this will be good news for soap fans with busy schedules. The main SOAPnet will continue to air original programs and replays of daily soaps over cable networks while the new Soapnetic will give them the ability to watch shows online when they want, along with original shows, classic moments and more.

To check out SOAPnet click here.

Information on the upcoming Soapnetic can be found by clicking here. It appears that Soapnetic will only be available to Verizon DSL customers at launch.

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MTV Overdrive Headed To Europe 
By Sherri - (0) comments April 17, 2006



European fans of original programming with a rocking twist may soon be able to get their MTV when they want it and where they want it.

MTV Networks is expected to announce today plans to expand its MTV Overdrive online service to Europe. Rumor has it the on-demand site will go live in Ireland and England by Sunday with other European countries to follow.

Seeking to make the most of its tech- savvy, young audience, MTV has a been a pioneer in finding new ways to distribute content originally intended for the television. MTV - which operates 111 television channels, including 11 in Britain, and 94 Web sites - has signed deals with more than 60 mobile phone companies in several countries, including Germany, South Korea and Japan, to provide short video clips, comedy programs, games and ring tones.

"Our viewers are early adopters of new technology, so MTV Overdrive will appeal to many of them," said Angel Gambino, vice president of commercial strategy and digital media for MTV Networks UK. "But with the simplicity of the service we want this also to appeal to people who aren't already consuming content online and so we made this to look as much as possible like a TV service."
International Herald Tribune

If the speculation about the full service expansion is true, European fans will soon be able to check out such original shows as "My Super Sweet 16" and "Call to Greatness." The network also has movie trailers, a store, news and games available.

News of the possible expansion isn't surprising, but it is nice to see it happen. As television goes to the Internet, the European market should not be overlooked. It's a big one, that perhaps due to its diversity in language, often gets the short end of the stick on new releases. This happens with video games, movies, you name it - especially from North American and Japanese developers. Good job MTV for making the move. When iTunes catches on, I know some would be fans of certain download shows who will be very happy.

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EZTakes Download Service 
By Stacy - (0) comments


Is the thought of ABC's offer of free quality television too much for you? Is the humor of The Office a little too highbrow? Then you're in luck. Troma Entertainment the makers of such cinematic masterpieces as, well, they make movies. They're probably best known for the Toxic Avenger series and other low, low budget cult favorites. Troma has thrown its hat into the download ring and will begin offering its movies for download through EZTakes.com.
EZTakes is a new company that is offering mainly low budget movies, older movies and Bollywood movies for download. What makes their service different is not the "quality" of the movies but that they are using technology that allows one copy burning. So, you can burn a copy of The Toxic Avenger (the only superhero from New Jersey) to keep and share with your friends. If these people remain your friends, then they are probably friends for life.

But seriously, EZTakes appears to be starting an interesting service. Most of the movies are priced at the same price that, if you were to buy a copy, you would pay in the store.

Almost nobody is willing to pay to download movies that they can only watch on their PC," said Jim Flynn, CEO of EZTakes. Flynn continued, "By giving people the ability to easily burn DVDs, EZTakes has made it possible for paying consumers to get legal movie downloads that they can enjoy just about anywhere they want."

In order to discourage piracy, EZTakes has developed technology that personalizes all DVDs with the purchasing consumer's identity and an embedded ID number. People that make unauthorized copies would incriminate themselves because the content is clearly traceable. Although EZTakes has only been live for a few months, the company has experienced a dramatic increase in sales and has already developed a loyal following of repeat customers. By making it easy to burn legal movie downloads, EZTakes has bridged the last few steps between the Internet and the living room. Movie downloads on EZTakes start at $1.99 and average about $7.99. Most EZTake DVDs include all of the extra features of the original DVD.

Actually, if you're a fan of 1920's and 30's film then it might be worth checking out. I think it is great that more companies are experimenting with content and technology. This is just a small company, but it has a good idea, so I hope it works for them.
I know this wasn't about television, but I like the EZTakes idea and couldn't resist the Troma angle.

Is TV Yesterday's Radio? 
By Stacy - (0) comments April 16, 2006


Networks are going to have to change. They are slowly adjusting to the world of iPods and webcast but they have one fundamental problem, the networks are using new media to refer users back to the TV. They don't want to take the risk on upsetting the balance between viewers, affiliates and advertisers. But they can't wait much longer; advertisers are already moving more and more time and money towards the internet, cable is growing stronger and stronger, and more and more web only content is becoming available.

Now, I don't want to be all negative, the networks are making some headway and with FOX joining them all the big networks now have programs on the web. The television industry is on the verge of a major sift as shows begin being launched on a multi-platform approach that includes television, internet, and mobile phones. The networks argue that they must deal with piracy issues, the quality and speed of the streams or downloads before investing fully. Already there exists programs that are shown only online and as the technology improves, so will the quality and delivery. And just as radio had to adapt to television, television will have to adapt to the internet.

Many people already have adapted to this style of media:

......a show of his own, tentatively dubbed "Floaters," a comedy about three young women in New York. It launches in May. But don't look for it on any network. Rather, it will appear on the website phoebeworks.com. And don't expect a "Friends"-style half hour. His will be broken up into eight-minute daily blocks for Internet streaming and smaller two- to three-minute chunks for cellphones or iPods, because, says the neophyte producer, the new generation wants "portable, quick entertainment."

These users are far more likely to explore new material rather than rely on familiar "branded" TV shows, he adds, much like Florida law student Erika Mariz, who says she never watches TV. "When I want to watch something, I go online and look for new videos," says the 23-year-old. "If I want to watch something funny, I type in 'funny' on the Google or Yahoo video search, and lots of funny things come up." Ms. Mariz says she particularly likes commercials from foreign countries, because they're "like a whole window into a different culture."

Source: Christian Science Monitor

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South Park Delivers Message 
By Sherri - (0) comments



South Park's creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker deserve a lot of credit for being willing to point out blatant hypocrisy wherever they see it - even if it comes from the folks who sign their checks.

Calling it exactly like they saw it, Parker and Stone lashed out at Comedy Central during the second installment of their Cartoon Wars episode. (The first part is available on iTunes and it will be interesting to see if the second makes it there, too.)

Initially, the two had wanted to include a scene with the Muslim prophet Mohammed, but were censored by the network. Following orders, they cut the scene from the episode, but instead ran a title card that said "Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Mohammed on their network."

The episode went on to depict images of Jesus defecating on the American flag and President Bush. These images were allowed by the network.

Part of the episode originally was meant to poke fun at the hysteria that followed a Danish newspaper's publishing of political cartoons depicting Mohammed. Instead, it showed that hypocrisy (or fear) exists even in the network that's known for pushing the envelope.

The sad fact of the matter is the episode also showed that if members of a group riot, protest and threaten, they will get results.

Evidently Comedy Central thinks it's OK to offend Christians during the Holy Week. It's perfectly fine to "bleep" on America. Bashing Bush is in vogue. But, heaven forbid, Muslims get offended. It seems that that in the land of the free and the home of the brave the First Amendment, freedom of speech, and the right to equal opportunity lampooning have limits.

Did Parker and Stone cross a line? You bet. In fact, they probably overshot it by a mile or two. Did they get their point across? I sure hope so.

Although the offending episode hasn't hit iTunes yet, Comedy Central is replaying it this week. We'll keep you posted for its arrival on iTunes.

Source: TV Squad

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