Advanced Television

OTT

HBO GO online video STB-enabled

Cloud-based software platform specialist ActiveVideo is enabling services that for the first time seamlessly integrate premium online content with linear and on-demand channels on existing pay-TV set-top boxes at scale. By virtualising STB functionality (vSTB) in the cloud, pay-TV and online video providers can partner to deliver both the full content libraries and the rich […]

September 12, 2014Colin Mann @ IBC

Analyst: TV industry facing major disruption

This year’s World Cup shows that the dream of TV everywhere has become a reality, according to analyst firm CCS Insight. However, on the eve of IBC in Amsterdam, the company has warned that the TV industry will face major disruption over the next few years. Traditional broadcasters will come under threat from new business […]

September 11, 2014Colin Mann @ IBC

Viacom, Sony OTT deal

Viacom and Sony have confirmed what is described as a “landmark” agreement for Sony’s forthcoming cloud-based TV service to carry 22 Viacom networks at launch. The deal marks Viacom’s first-ever agreement to provide its networks for an Internet-based live TV and video on demand service. “Viacom always strives to create transformational opportunities that combine consumer […]

September 11, 2014

C4 drops 4oD for All4

Channel 4 is to make live streaming of its TV networks and on-demand service 4oD available in a new online hub All4, in an attempt to better exploit the growing trend in viewing on portable devices. The new initiative forms the next stage of Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham’s plan to keep connected with […]

September 11, 2014

TVPlayer brings 16 channels to Freeview

TVPlayer, the OTT platform operated by Simplestream, is extending its multi-platform offering by launching a portfolio of free-to-air channels via channel 241 on UK DTT platform Freeview. Popular music stations Heart and Capital TV, together with Clubland TV, Planet Pop, Channel AKA and NOW Music, home to music from the UK’s leading labels and No1 […]

September 11, 2014

ONO TV on iPhone

Spain’s largest cable company ONO, recently acquired by Vodafone, is launching its ONO online TV service on iPhones. The service, with up to 40 TV channels, were so far available on PCs, Android and IOS tablets and Mac computers, but not on Apple’s most popular device, iPhone. The company is also enhancing the service with […]

September 11, 2014From David Del Valle in Madrid

Showtime might stream internationally

CBS CEO Les Moonves told Goldman Sachs Communacopia event the company might stream Showtime content direct to consumers in international markets. “I can see sometime in the future, and I don’t know how long that is, where we’re able to offer a Showtime product and stream it overseas internationally. …This would be a great way […]

September 11, 2014

Study: Pay-TV not saviour for major ISPs

A survey of 821 ISPreview.co.uk readers, a popular consumer broadband Internet access and related technology website in the UK, has claimed that 68 per cent of respondents would be unlikely to stick with their current Internet provider just because if it offered an attractive and affordable pay-TV service. One possible reason for

September 10, 2014

Univision on Comcast XFINITY

Comcast and Univision Communications, a media company serving Hispanic America, have reached a long-term agreement for Comcast to distribute Univision Deportes Network (UDN) to XFINITY TV customers who subscribe to its Digital Preferred or XFINITY Latino levels of service.  UDN is expected to begin airing next month for XFINITY TV customers. UDN launched in April […]

September 10, 2014

OTT in half world’s TV homes by 2020

The number of households watching online TV and video (over fixed broadband networks and across 51 countries) will reach 706.53 million in 2020, up from 196.90 million in 2010 and the 374.43 million expected in 2014, according to a new report from Digital TV Research. Asia Pacific will gain 231 million more OTT TV homes […]

September 9, 2014