There is another player in the TV universe that hasn't even launched yet that may be worth checking out: Zillion TV. According to their website (zilliontv.tv) you choose the programs, how to watch even what addressable ads you'll accept. Right now they have agreements in place with Disney, NBC Universal, SONY and Warner Brothers.
Content streamed to my TV via the internet connection, I choose how I want it, when I want it and what ads I see. What a concept-media delivered to me when I want to get and programming I choose to receive. I may have to drop the cable provider when this launches.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Media Bites-October 16 2009
Comcast-NBC Universal-Vivendi deal will change the entertainment landscape.
The deal for Comcast to buy 51% of NBC Universal is just about wrapped up and the word is stil out on whether Vivendi will divest its 20% stake in NBC Universal.
Comcast subscribers total over 24 million and contribute to more than half of the company's 2009 revenue. The reasoning behind this deal all points back to viewing of content or as Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO calls 'cable bypass'-canceling their subscriptions and gravitating towards on line viewing platforms. The way around that is to prevent posting content on the internet, fee for content or accessing the content by proving users already subscribe to a pay TV service (TV Everywhere) Once this deal is complete, Comcast would hold the most TV assets worldwide including a percentage of the NBC broadcast network, Telemundo, USA, Bravo, MSNBC and CNBC.
To complete the deal that Comcast wants, Vivendi,(http://www.vivendi.com/vivendi/-accueil-en-) the French media and telecommunication company must shed 20% of its ownership in NBC Universal. Vivendi has until Nov 15 to notify one of its media partners GE, on whether they will sell any interest in NBC Universal.
It would be great if this entertainment merger and acquisition resulted in better quality programming, reduced subscription rates and innovative viewing technologies. It should since Comcast (http://www.cmcsk.com/)would control most of the content and production currently airing. Stay tuned as this will not be the end of TV consolidation, there will be much more to come that will hopefully make a positive impact on they way TV is delivered and consumed.
The deal for Comcast to buy 51% of NBC Universal is just about wrapped up and the word is stil out on whether Vivendi will divest its 20% stake in NBC Universal.
Comcast subscribers total over 24 million and contribute to more than half of the company's 2009 revenue. The reasoning behind this deal all points back to viewing of content or as Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO calls 'cable bypass'-canceling their subscriptions and gravitating towards on line viewing platforms. The way around that is to prevent posting content on the internet, fee for content or accessing the content by proving users already subscribe to a pay TV service (TV Everywhere) Once this deal is complete, Comcast would hold the most TV assets worldwide including a percentage of the NBC broadcast network, Telemundo, USA, Bravo, MSNBC and CNBC.
To complete the deal that Comcast wants, Vivendi,(http://www.vivendi.com/vivendi/-accueil-en-) the French media and telecommunication company must shed 20% of its ownership in NBC Universal. Vivendi has until Nov 15 to notify one of its media partners GE, on whether they will sell any interest in NBC Universal.
It would be great if this entertainment merger and acquisition resulted in better quality programming, reduced subscription rates and innovative viewing technologies. It should since Comcast (http://www.cmcsk.com/)would control most of the content and production currently airing. Stay tuned as this will not be the end of TV consolidation, there will be much more to come that will hopefully make a positive impact on they way TV is delivered and consumed.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Media Bites-October 8 2009
Content is king-but will you pay for it?
After meeting with a local print publication recently who informed me that they would now be charging a penny to access online stories- and after News Corp chair Rupert Murdoch stated most of the FOX properties will move to paid content, I wanted to keep beating this drum and ask will consumers be willing to pay for content?
I keep coming back to the same answer: only if there is real value in it at that moment for you.
All media properties are on a quest to develop additional revenue streams without diluting their core products or worse, having consumers cancel subscriptions and suffer further losses. A recent LA Times article noted that Soleil Securities calculated that every viewer that alters their viewing habits, choosing web over TV is forfeiting $920 in annual ad revenue and that Disney, Fox and NBC subsidize $33 million in losses at Hulu which is offset by only $123 million in ad dollars. The skyrocketing cost of producing all forms of TV advertising is underwritten by the $22 billion in cable and satellite subscription fees but it is not enough revenue to generate a profit. The answer seems to be a slow migration to pay for online content access.
Which brings it back to the -only if there is real value at that moment for you. In my opinion, if its a news story then the answer is no. Why? Because if I'm really that interested, I'll surf around until I find it at no charge elsewhere. If its an episode of 'Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia' or 'Glee' that I want to see, or have the ability to download a full length movie to my Iphone-you bet I'll pay for that because its entertainment and I'm programmed to pay for entertainment. I'm not going to pay for the news when it's available 24/7 everywhere you turn.
If sites like Hulu.com and Fancast.com position and price themselves correctly, I believe you'll see not only increased usage and revenue, but more sampling of on air product as well. Print pubs are betting that if they price it more aggressively for subscribers, they will increase circulation. Only time will tell if that though process will work.
After meeting with a local print publication recently who informed me that they would now be charging a penny to access online stories- and after News Corp chair Rupert Murdoch stated most of the FOX properties will move to paid content, I wanted to keep beating this drum and ask will consumers be willing to pay for content?
I keep coming back to the same answer: only if there is real value in it at that moment for you.
All media properties are on a quest to develop additional revenue streams without diluting their core products or worse, having consumers cancel subscriptions and suffer further losses. A recent LA Times article noted that Soleil Securities calculated that every viewer that alters their viewing habits, choosing web over TV is forfeiting $920 in annual ad revenue and that Disney, Fox and NBC subsidize $33 million in losses at Hulu which is offset by only $123 million in ad dollars. The skyrocketing cost of producing all forms of TV advertising is underwritten by the $22 billion in cable and satellite subscription fees but it is not enough revenue to generate a profit. The answer seems to be a slow migration to pay for online content access.
Which brings it back to the -only if there is real value at that moment for you. In my opinion, if its a news story then the answer is no. Why? Because if I'm really that interested, I'll surf around until I find it at no charge elsewhere. If its an episode of 'Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia' or 'Glee' that I want to see, or have the ability to download a full length movie to my Iphone-you bet I'll pay for that because its entertainment and I'm programmed to pay for entertainment. I'm not going to pay for the news when it's available 24/7 everywhere you turn.
If sites like Hulu.com and Fancast.com position and price themselves correctly, I believe you'll see not only increased usage and revenue, but more sampling of on air product as well. Print pubs are betting that if they price it more aggressively for subscribers, they will increase circulation. Only time will tell if that though process will work.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Media Bites-October 2 2009
The Jon and Kate + 8 saga takes an odd turn
As a parent of 3 kids under the age of 14, I've always enjoyed watching the daily struggles they all faced running a household with 8 kids. Each parent had their own style and personality and it seemed to work.
Then we hear things are not all wine and roses. Alleged affairs and struggles within the Gosselin marriage. Not unique to many families in America, but now wide open for everyone to see thanks to the beauty of reality TV (assisted of course by the media hoopla that surrounds them everywhere they went). So in an emotional and heartfelt response, Jon and Kate announced a formal separation and agreed to continue to do the show 'for the kids'. The show goes on hiatus and relaunches in August delivering over 9 million viewers.
Now all we saw and heard at the end of the summer was about Jon's partying, meeting with Lindsey Lohan's father to pitch a show and his dates with young adult women. All this from a man who has said one of the reasons for the separation was that he was uncomfortable with all of the media exposure.
The latest in what is really turning into a reality TV train wreck is a cease and desist order restraining TLC from any further filming with the kids delivered to the network by Jon Gosselin. Interesting, since according to TLC, he was directly involved in shooting only a few days prior to the legal document being filed. Why the change of heart? Could it be that the show name is being changed to 'Kate + 8'?? Will he loose out on some of the income that is being generated from the show?
Right now the focus should be on those kids that are seeing their parents relationship fall apart, in public. In my opinion, viewers will begin to retreat from the show, ratings will slip (they already are showing serious erosion) and the show will be either retooled or cancelled. Only time will tell-but lets hope TLC and the Gosselins do the right thing.
As a parent of 3 kids under the age of 14, I've always enjoyed watching the daily struggles they all faced running a household with 8 kids. Each parent had their own style and personality and it seemed to work.
Then we hear things are not all wine and roses. Alleged affairs and struggles within the Gosselin marriage. Not unique to many families in America, but now wide open for everyone to see thanks to the beauty of reality TV (assisted of course by the media hoopla that surrounds them everywhere they went). So in an emotional and heartfelt response, Jon and Kate announced a formal separation and agreed to continue to do the show 'for the kids'. The show goes on hiatus and relaunches in August delivering over 9 million viewers.
Now all we saw and heard at the end of the summer was about Jon's partying, meeting with Lindsey Lohan's father to pitch a show and his dates with young adult women. All this from a man who has said one of the reasons for the separation was that he was uncomfortable with all of the media exposure.
The latest in what is really turning into a reality TV train wreck is a cease and desist order restraining TLC from any further filming with the kids delivered to the network by Jon Gosselin. Interesting, since according to TLC, he was directly involved in shooting only a few days prior to the legal document being filed. Why the change of heart? Could it be that the show name is being changed to 'Kate + 8'?? Will he loose out on some of the income that is being generated from the show?
Right now the focus should be on those kids that are seeing their parents relationship fall apart, in public. In my opinion, viewers will begin to retreat from the show, ratings will slip (they already are showing serious erosion) and the show will be either retooled or cancelled. Only time will tell-but lets hope TLC and the Gosselins do the right thing.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Media Bites-September 27 2009
There has been movement in the Fall 2009-2010 broadcast TV season and we are barely two weeks in.
The first cancellation of the season has already happened with Ashton Kutcher's 'Beautiful Life' getting the axe from the CW after only 1 episode.
'Glee' becomes the first full season pickup-Fox
'Vampire Diaries' gets a back 9 script order-CW
I thought it would be fun to handicap the season; the next cancellation, the network pick ups, the big surprises, and the shows that should have made it-but didn't. And just so you don't have to work TOO hard, here's a link to the new shows:
http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview/newshows.aspx
The first cancellation of the season has already happened with Ashton Kutcher's 'Beautiful Life' getting the axe from the CW after only 1 episode.
'Glee' becomes the first full season pickup-Fox
'Vampire Diaries' gets a back 9 script order-CW
I thought it would be fun to handicap the season; the next cancellation, the network pick ups, the big surprises, and the shows that should have made it-but didn't. And just so you don't have to work TOO hard, here's a link to the new shows:
http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview/newshows.aspx
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Media Bites-September 24 2009
W Hotels add new music to properties-hires music director
A recent Variety article notes that the boutique hotel is putting a much greater emphasis on music because 'the W's overall intention is to be the coolest place in town and cool places usually have cool music,' said Eva Ziegler global brand leader for the chain.
New hire Michaelangelo L'Acqua, fashion show producer and dj vet, will connect the hotel group with music centric events: performances with Wonderlust Live artists Natasha Bedingfield and Pete Yorn, tie-ins with the Golden Globes and links to the Hong Kong Film Festival.
The CD compilation that was introduced in 2002 and updated only once per year, will be tossed out and music will soon be delivered via mp3 players and ITunes.
Wouldn't it be great if the W decided to comp you a series of songs that you could download on Itunes during your stay. Or, invite guests to a VIP concert in the lobby with a chance to meet the artist. What about a brand loyalty program that offered a discount to purchase the music, the video, the event tickets as a W VIP guest?? Make it part of the culture and the vibe in NYC, London, St. Petersburg and Dubai. This group has the potential to do something really unique and unprecedented.
I think what you'll see happen is a separate charge on your bill for purchases as the travel industry does everything it can to generate additional revenue. I certainly don't fault them for that; its business, everyone needs to make money. But if the goal is to weave music into the experience and make it exciting and seamless, then lets hope they do that without an extra service charge.
A recent Variety article notes that the boutique hotel is putting a much greater emphasis on music because 'the W's overall intention is to be the coolest place in town and cool places usually have cool music,' said Eva Ziegler global brand leader for the chain.
New hire Michaelangelo L'Acqua, fashion show producer and dj vet, will connect the hotel group with music centric events: performances with Wonderlust Live artists Natasha Bedingfield and Pete Yorn, tie-ins with the Golden Globes and links to the Hong Kong Film Festival.
The CD compilation that was introduced in 2002 and updated only once per year, will be tossed out and music will soon be delivered via mp3 players and ITunes.
Wouldn't it be great if the W decided to comp you a series of songs that you could download on Itunes during your stay. Or, invite guests to a VIP concert in the lobby with a chance to meet the artist. What about a brand loyalty program that offered a discount to purchase the music, the video, the event tickets as a W VIP guest?? Make it part of the culture and the vibe in NYC, London, St. Petersburg and Dubai. This group has the potential to do something really unique and unprecedented.
I think what you'll see happen is a separate charge on your bill for purchases as the travel industry does everything it can to generate additional revenue. I certainly don't fault them for that; its business, everyone needs to make money. But if the goal is to weave music into the experience and make it exciting and seamless, then lets hope they do that without an extra service charge.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
September 19 2009
Epix HD Launched by Lionsgate, MGM and Paramount
Service will have no advertising and won't appear on your cable bill.
Here's how it will work: The network will broadcast movies that fit into the 'pay TV' window-the time frame weeks before a DVD release, much like HBO or Showtime does now. What makes this completely different is that it will be bundled with cable packages and if the consortium can convince enough cable providers to sign on, they will have an immediate financial advantage over premium pay TV. Additionally, users will be able to get the content online, on demand and at Epixhd.com (http://www.epixhd.com/) Keep in mind that there will be no direct-to-consumer services, only TV distributors including cable companies, Verizon FIOS, AT&T U-Verse and satellite services. In order for the TV viewer to take advantage of this unique network, they'll need to subscribe to both internet and cable service.
The timing of this launch couldn't be better. Case in point-Time Warner Cable has been testing TV Everywhere in select markets. This service allows you to view not only premium pay per view nets online like HBO and Showtime, but other top tier programming as well.
12-24 months from now, TV and internet as we know it will be completely different. It will be one big happy internet/TV universe-At least thats my opinion -:) But that's just me.
Service will have no advertising and won't appear on your cable bill.
Here's how it will work: The network will broadcast movies that fit into the 'pay TV' window-the time frame weeks before a DVD release, much like HBO or Showtime does now. What makes this completely different is that it will be bundled with cable packages and if the consortium can convince enough cable providers to sign on, they will have an immediate financial advantage over premium pay TV. Additionally, users will be able to get the content online, on demand and at Epixhd.com (http://www.epixhd.com/) Keep in mind that there will be no direct-to-consumer services, only TV distributors including cable companies, Verizon FIOS, AT&T U-Verse and satellite services. In order for the TV viewer to take advantage of this unique network, they'll need to subscribe to both internet and cable service.
The timing of this launch couldn't be better. Case in point-Time Warner Cable has been testing TV Everywhere in select markets. This service allows you to view not only premium pay per view nets online like HBO and Showtime, but other top tier programming as well.
12-24 months from now, TV and internet as we know it will be completely different. It will be one big happy internet/TV universe-At least thats my opinion -:) But that's just me.
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