ITV

Tag: broadband

  • Intel, NBC in broadband content alliance

    Intel, NBC in broadband content alliance

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster NBC Universal and compueter chip major Intel have announced the launch of the NBC VIP Access online service.

    This will provide on-demand broadband-delivered entertainment content for free to consumers with Intel Viiv technology-based PCs and Centrino mobile technology-based laptops.

    NBC.com will provide Intel customers the opportunity to download many of their favorite NBC Universal programs in high-resolution video, including access to the entire fall season of two new shows Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

    NBC Universal Digital Media and Market Development president Beth Comstock says, “Great content coupled with a great experience is a key differentiator on the Web. NBC’s VIP Access showcases some of the best content that we have and we are proud to be working with Intel to deliver the best high-resolution online video experience available to consumers.”

    Intel’s Digital Home Group VP Kevin Corbett says, “The combination of NBC content with Intel Viiv and Centrino technology will give users a chance to enjoy great television in a high quality format in the living room and on the go. This showcases the value the PC can deliver in providing high-quality entertainment content-previews, full episodes, webisodes, etc– on-demand.”

    NBC VIP Access will feature over 20 different NBC Universal broadcast and online programs, including online access to full-episodes of the fall season of Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. NBC VIP Access will also showcase the season premieres of Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock and Ghost Hunters and first scenes from Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Battlestar Galactica. Special extras include The NBC News Special: Bono in Africa, a Battlestar Galactica special and Ghost Hunters: Best of Season One.

    The NBCU-Intel collaboration began last year with a jointly developed site on NBCOlympics.com entitled “Your NBCOlympics.com Moments.” Consumers using PCs powered by Intel Viiv technology and Intel Centrino mobile technology enjoyed NBC Universal’s Olympic highlights and content in high-resolution format through an easy to use interface.

    Intel Viiv technology connects the PC to the TV, and enables consumers to simplify, share and control their sports, games, music and movies with the energy-efficient performance delivered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The technology is widely supported by a number of PC and consumer electronics manufacturers, as well as content and service providers such as NBC Universal. Intel Centrino mobile technology is a set of integrated computing technologies, now with the Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor, designed to power wireless laptops and make it simple for people to enjoy mobile computing and entertainment.

  • AT&T and MobiTV launch live TV subscription service for broadband

    AT&T and MobiTV launch live TV subscription service for broadband

    MUMBAI: AT&T Inc. and MobiTV, Inc., the global leader in television and music services for all things mobile and broadband, have inked an agreement to offer a mobile television service to broadband users in the United States, including AT&T Yahoo High Speed Internet and AT&T WorldNet subscribers.

    The browser-based service, which will be called AT&T Broadband TV, will enable subscribers to use a computer to access a wealth of live programming while at home, at work, or on the go using wired and wireless broadband technologies.

    Through the deal, AT&T becomes the first U.S. broadband provider to offer a live TV subscription service with MobiTV to consumers through any broadband connection. The service expands upon an earlier agreement that enables AT&T to offer MobiTV to customers who use thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots, states an official release.

    The AT&T Broadband TV service will initially have approximately 20 channels of live and made-for-broadband television content spanning national news, sports, entertainment and full-length music videos from top artists. Among the channels included in the initial channel lineup is Fox News, Bloomberg, Oxygen, History Channel, Comedy Time, Toonworld, Maxx Sports and the Weather Channelm, the release adds.

    The industry-leading, browser-based service features desktop integration for easy access, fast channel-changing, full-screen functionality and quality video playback. Subscribers can quickly access AT&T Broadband TV through a hyperlink or desktop shortcut.

    Users will have access to a comprehensive channel lineup for a flat monthly subscription of $19.99. And soon, additional television channels will be offered to ensure that AT&T customers have access to the broadest range of entertainment content. The subscription can be used with nearly any broadband connection, at home, work or on the road.

    Consumers can test-drive and order the new service at http://att.mobitv.com. The companies will also market the AT&T Broadband TV offering on the AT&T WorldNet portal at www.att.net.

    “The AT&T Broadband TV service offers our customers the ability to watch live television programming beyond the TV screen, increasing our capabilities to provide compelling content to consumers who are seeking information and entertainment when, where and on the device they desire,” says AT&T Entertainment Services EVP Scott Helbing. “The deal helps further enhance AT&T’s broadband service and three-screen initiative by offering differentiated broadband-enabled content that consumers are increasingly demanding.”

    “Television is officially available on the PC now and will reach television fans in their home, office, college dorm, at the airport or anywhere they happen to be,” says MobiTV chairman & co-founder Dr. Phillip Alvelda. “MobiTV and AT&T will deliver premium quality content seamlessly across all broadband networks, making entertainment, wireless and technology history.”

    Through this agreement, AT&T, the nation’s largest high speed DSL Internet provider with more than 7.8 million DSL lines in service, will give its customers and other broadband users a new avenue for entertainment and information, enabling them to take control of their viewing options. In addition, the company recently launched AT&T Homezone, a groundbreaking new service that integrates AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet, AT&T | DISH Network satellite television and AT&T Home Networking services via a single device.

    The new AT&T Homezone service provides Internet-based video with satellite TV programming in a seamless in-home experience, giving consumers a powerful new way to extend the best of the Internet beyond the desktop to bring entertainment content to their TV screens and stereos. It features digital videorecording, movies on demand, photo- and music-sharing, storage for both, and it whets the anytime/anywhere generation’s appetite with remote, Web-based access to the system.

  • Warner creates digital production venture to make content for broadband, mobile

    Warner creates digital production venture to make content for broadband, mobile

    MUMBAI: The Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTG) is establishing a new digital production venture Studio 2.0.

    This will work with creative talent and advertisers to create original live-action and animated short-form programming for broadband and wireless devices.

    WBTVG has tapped producer and senior advertising executive Rich Rosenthal to head Studio 2.0. These announcements were made by WBTG president Bruce Rosenblum. The venture will be overseen by WBTG executive VP Craig Hunegs.

    Studio 2.0 will provide a creative platform for the Television Group’s established as well as up-and-coming talent to produce content of varying lengths – from multiple-episode series to one-offs. Rosenthal will actively align Studio 2.0 with advertisers seeking early identification and involvement with original programming. They will develop projects through independent creative resources as well as through the various in-place Warner Bros. Television Group production arms.

    Studio 2.0 will look to license the programming to online sites, portals and wireless providers in collaboration with the recently formed Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

    Rosenblum says, “What has become eminently clear is that our advertising partners in our traditional television businesses are anxious to work in collaboration with the creative community to develop original digital content.

    “At our core, we are a content creation company and Studio 2.0 is a natural, yet extraordinarily exciting, extension of our television production businesses. We are confident that Rich and Studio 2.0 will successfully provide advertisers with cutting edge tools that will integrate their brands with inventive digital content in fresh, impactful and meaningful ways.

    “At the same time, Studio 2.0 will present our creative partners in our television production divisions with a vibrant platform to express their vision in expanding digital arenas and allow us to collaborate with Simon Kenny (President, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution) and his team on terrific content for digital distribution.”

    Hunegs says, “Rich’s breadth of advertising experience, both as a creative and production exec, and the wide array of advertisers, brands and companies for which he has created, make him the ideal choice to run Studio 2.0. It is a coup to have him join us”.

    Time Warner Global Marketing, the cross-divisional client partnerships arm of Time Warner, will work closely with Rosenthal and Time Warner advertising clients.

  • TNT kicks off broadband initiative DramaVision

    TNT kicks off broadband initiative DramaVision

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster TNT is diving into the world of broadband with DramaVision.

    This is an on-demand digital destination featuring broadband presentations of TNTs original productions and initiatives complementing the networks line-up of dramas.

    TNT will kick off its new broadband initiative tomorrow, 15 August 2006, by offering a first-time-ever broadband streaming of the networks blockbuster miniseries Into the West, which earned 16 Emmy nominations. DramaVision will be housed at the TNT Web site: tnt.tv.

    Future broadband offerings from DramaVision will include a showplace for TNTs arsenal of original movies; a collection of true crime stories promoted through the series Law & Order and presented in partnership with TNTs sister network Court TV. There wil also be tie-ins to such high-profile live events as the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Black Movie Awards.

    The broadband content TNT is planning to offer via DramaVision includes:

    Into the West: TNTs 16-time Emmy nominee Into the West gets its first-ever broadband presentation via tnt.tv and intothewest.com. Fans can watch the entire six-part television event, as well as extensive behind-the-scenes content.

    Drama Flicks: Future plans call for TNTs award-winning original movies to be offered via broadband through a variety of genre-specific channels. The slate of high-quality original movies TNT has created during its 18-year history includes the following:

    Westerns, including Crossfire Trail, which continues to hold the ad-supported cable record as the most-watched movie telecast of all time. Historical Dramas, such as Andersonville, which earned an Emmy for director John Frankenheimer.

    Then there are biopics, like George Wallace, which earned Emmys for Gary Sinise, Mare Winningham and director John Frankenheimer, as well as an Emmy nomination for Angelina Jolie.

    There will also be literary dramas like The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Mandy Patinkin and Salma Hayak as well as bible dramas, such as Joseph.

    Live Events: TNT will supplement such live-event programming as the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Black Movie Awards with special video content and camera feeds never before available to viewers. In addition to a presence on DramaVision, the Black Movie Awards will also have a digital presence on AOL.

  • Time Warner to offer AOL service free-of-cost

    Time Warner to offer AOL service free-of-cost

    MUMBAI: What is perceived as a last ditch attempt to save its sinking internet business initiative AOL, Time Warner has decided to switch the service to free-to-access mode from September.

    With this move, AOL will attempt to transform itself into a full-fledged online media business venture, banking purely on advertising revenue and competing directly with rivals in this space Google, Yahoo and MSN. Approximately $2 billion subscriber revenue, which the company will miss now with the move, is expected to be made up in advertising.

    Time Warner will be implementing the free service in September this year. Former customers will be able to reactivate their accounts for free when the effort takes effect in September. According to industry estimates, AOL has lost a third of its subscribers since 2002.

    This is the next logical step for AOL to capitalize further on the explosive rise in broadband usage and online advertising. With its robust and rapidly expanding advertising operation, we expect to put AOL back on a growth path,” Time Warner president Jeff Bewkes has been quoted in media reports as saying.

  • Sky, Netgear in broadband partnership in the UK

    Sky, Netgear in broadband partnership in the UK

    MUMBAI: Netgear which provides branded networking products, and UK pay TV platform Sky have announced a deal.

    Netgear’s wireless router technology provided free to all subscribers to Sky’s new broadband internet access service. Sky Broadband can cut household bills by hundreds of pounds a year whilst bringing customers the benefits of both super-fast broadband and wireless connectivity via a customised NETGEAR router, known as the Sky Broadband Box.

    Aiming to provide great-value, fast, easy broadband connectivity for millions of Sky customers, Sky Broadband is available immediately with a choice of products including up to 2Mb download speeds with no monthly subscription. Sky Broadband also offers a choice of other quality products with download speeds of up to 16Mb. Monthly download usage ranges from 2GB to unlimited.

    The launch of Sky Broadband comes as Sky seeks to take advantage of the UK’s accelerating demand for broadband connectivity, which, according to the Broadband Stakeholder Group, will double over next four years with household penetration exceeding 80% by 2010.

    Netgear UK and Ireland country manager Mark Power says, “Netgear too wants to be at the forefront of this growing opportunity. This collaboration with Sky – one of the UK’s highest-profile, premier content providers – should help secure exactly that.

    “With an existing base of more than eight million customers and an offering that clearly spells great flexibility, quality, and value, Sky promises to be a major force in future broadband adoption and integration. Adding free wireless connectivity to this mix makes it more compelling still.”

    Sky’s director of product strategy and management Brian Sullivan says, “Sky is committed to delivering the content that our customers want and they in turn trust us to deliver products and services that work at the touch of a button. Utilising some of the most reliable, cutting-edge wireless technology available today, our agreement with NETGEAR fits this strategy perfectly.”

    The launch of Sky Broadband was made possible by Sky’s network, which already covers 28 per cent of UK households. The network is rolling out fast across the UK and is expected to pass more homes than the entire cable industry by early next year, reaching 70% of all UK households by the end of 2007.

    Sky digital customers who are not covered by Sky’s broadband network can enjoy Sky Broadband Connect, which features all of the benefits of Sky Broadband Mid for a £17 monthly subscription. As the Sky network rolls out across the UK, newly covered Sky Connect customers will be offered the Base, Mid or Max products as their area gets

  • Verizon, GN Netcom bring broadband headsets to US market

    Verizon, GN Netcom bring broadband headsets to US market

    MUMBAI: Verizon, which operates a wireless network and works in the area of delivering broadband services in the US and GN Netcom which deals with hands-free audio solutions have announced a licensing agreement.

    This will introduce a series of Verizon-branded headsets for use with broadband services and applications, including online gaming and IP telephony

    The headsets complement the retail sale of Verizon broadband products and services and leverage the capabilities of Verizon’s networks, including high-speed DSL and the company’s new, advanced fiber-optic network which delivers high-quality voice, data and video services at unprecedented speeds. GN Netcom will produce, ship and provide technical and customer support for the broadband headsets.

    Verizon VP brand management and media services Andrea Fant-Hobbs says, “We will enhance our customers’ broadband experiences by offering them innovative headsets that are hands-free, convenient and have superb sound quality.

    “The headsets are the perfect complement to our services, including online gaming, music, video and other entertainment services. Our relationship with GN Netcom directly supports our commitment to provide our customers richer, deeper, broader communications experiences.”

    GN Netcom US senior VP. GM David Wood said, “As the use of broadband applications continues to rise, so does the need for high-quality headsets. Together with Verizon, we are responding to this increased demand as more consumers realise the benefits of headsets, including increased freedom and functionality across broadband applications.”

    The licensing agreement provides Verizon and GN Netcom with a complementary distribution opportunity in the marketplace, while allowing GN Netcom the opportunity to further penetrate and expand into new headset segments such as telephone accessories, online gaming, VoIP and Web calling.

  • Broadband subscription in the US up 33 per cent: FCC

    Broadband subscription in the US up 33 per cent: FCC

    MUMBAI: US media watchdog The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released new data on high-speed connections to the Internet in the US.

    High-speed Internet subscriptions soared 33 per cent last year to 50.2 million line. 42.9 million served primarily residential end users. Cable modem service represented 57.5 per cent of these lines while 40.5 per cent were asymmetric DSL (ADSL) connections, 0.3 per cent were symmetric DSL (SDSL) or traditional wireline connections, 0.5 per cent were fiber connections to the end user premises and 1.2 per cent used other types of technology including satellite, terrestrial fixed or mobile wireless (on a licensed or unlicensed basis), and electric power line.

    The increase in ADSL lines exceeded the increase in cable modem connections. ADSL increased by 3.2 million lines during the second half of 2005 compared to an increase of 1.6 million lines for cable modem service. For the full year, ADSL increased by 5.7 million lines compared to an increase of 4.2 million lines for cable modem service.

    DSL is typically less expensive than cable Internet service but offers slower download speeds.

    The US is ranked 12th in the world for broadband subscribers behind countries including Iceland, South Korea and Japan, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s most recent rankings.

  • Comedy Central enhances its broadband channel Motherload

    Comedy Central enhances its broadband channel Motherload

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Comedy Central is bulking up its broadband channel MotherLoad with a new serving of programming.

    The network’s new original broadband development slate will boost the line-up to include more than 20 original shows

    MotherLoad was launched in November 2005. In the past six months, Comedy Central has unveiled an extensive line-up of original programming including animation, live-action narratives, topical stand-up performances and sketch comedies.

    This year also marked, the development of the channel’s first original multi-platform stand-up series Live At Gotham which premiered as a topical stand-up series on MotherLoad and is now debuting on-air on 21 July, making this the first original broadband programme to migrate to the network’s linear channel.

    One show is the 10 episode Balloonheads. This series features the adventures of various characters who have balloons for heads. Baxter & McGuire is an animated buddy-comedy. It chronicles the adventures of Baxter and McGuire, the closest of pals who never leave each other’s side.

    Good God is a sitcom like The Office about God’s workplace environment. Moonwalk 1986 deals with the adventures of two astronauts on the moon and their banal conversations during missions.

  • Broadband gets animated as Cartoon Network hires Premium TV

    Broadband gets animated as Cartoon Network hires Premium TV

    MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting Systems has hired digital rights company Premium TV to provide a broadband TV service in the UK for its flagship kids’ channel Cartoon Network, with the service due to launch in Q4.

    The broadband site will be Cartoon Network’s first foray into broadband content tailored to the PC, and follows hot on the heels of the recent roll out of Cartoon Network’s new look website to all European territories.

    CartoonNetwork.co.uk is gaining more hits than ever before, with over 30 million page impressions per month, and the broadband site SuperCartoonNetwork.co.uk will reinforce this success in the sector.

    Subscribers to the site will be able to watch hours of regularly updated Cartoon Network shows, such as Ben 10 and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. They will also be able to watch archived episodes of the cartoons on the site.

    Under the terms of the two year deal, Premium TV will provide the broadband platform for Turner which will see Super Cartoon Network broadcast within the EMEA region.

    Premium TV has a track record of handling digital rights for major sports organisations, such as FLi (Football League Interactive) and World Rally Championship (WRC). The company’s expertise in managing digital rights, coupled with its DRM technology, will enable Turner Broadcasting Systems to take advantage of the growing digital market.