Today's Top Stories
1. Cablevision Apple iPhone app launches with 300 channels, VOD
2. Clearleap, LG partner on video delivery to smart TVs without a set-top box
3. ESPN to broadcast more college football in 3D this season
4. U-verse VP Weber: More integration, content on the way in 2011
5. OTT, video-on-demand services to reach combined $31.1B revenue by 2016 Also Noted: Cloud Services eBook
Spotlight On... 2011 Women in Wireline
PGA Championships, and Tiger Woods, live online; Netflix looking to U.K. after Lionsgate deal? and much more... News From the Fierce Network:
1. CBS, Comcast rave about Netflix deals during 2Q earnings calls
2. Dish sets to battle Netflix with streaming play 'sooner than later'
3. Little good news in Cisco's earnings outlook
Today's Top News 1. Cablevision Apple iPhone app launches with 300 channels, VOD
Cablevision (NYSE:CVC), which in April rolled out its Optimum App that gave subscribers with an Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad access to 300 live linear TV channels, today launched a new Optimum App for iPhone and iPod touch devices.  |
| Optimum for iPhone allows a user to watch TV or manage her DVR. |
The free app, available in the Apple App Store, like its iPad predecessor, still chains a user to the home environment, but nonetheless delivers access to more than 300 channels of live TV and thousands of titles of video on demand. In the past four months, the app has been downloaded 200,000 times. With the increased functionality, that number should quickly swell. The app also lets users access and manage their DVRs, an interactive program guide, and conduct searches. And, here's a bonus, it allows any of the devices to function as a virtual remote control for conventional TVs in the home. Cablevision uses its own network to deliver programming to customers for viewing on its Optimum App, not the Internet. In fact, Cablevision doesn't require customers to have Internet access to use the Optimum App. Cablevision, which faced lawsuits after it rolled out its iPad app, contends it has the right to distribute programming over its cable system to in-home iPhones, iPods, iPads and other devices functioning as televisions under its existing distribution agreements with programming providers. For more:
- see this release Related articles:
The bloom isn't quite off TV Everywhere's rose just yet... it's still evolving
Research: TV Everywhere will be (nearly) everywhere by mid-2011
Cablevision Apple iPad app debuts with 300 channels
TW Cable, Cablevision iPad plays push content-owners' buttons Read more about: Cablevision, TV Everywhere, Apple iPhone
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2. Clearleap, LG partner on video delivery to smart TVs without a set-top box
TV technology company Clearleap is partnering with LG Electronics to give TV service providers a way to deliver programming over broadband networks directly to the LG Smart TV platform. The partnership eliminates the need for a set-top box, giving service providers a quick and efficient way to deliver content and new services to subscribers while saving money on capital expenditures. Using the IP content management and delivery technologies of Clearleap's Stream on Demand solution, TV operators can manage, process and publish online video and video on demand, while offering an advanced user experience similar to other next generation offerings currently available on LG Smart TVs. "Cable TV operators--big and small--now have at their fingertips the ability to deliver a more robust and fully managed service to subscribers using broadband networks--and we fully expect them to take advantage of that," said Clearleap CEO Braxton Jarratt. The integration with LG expands the reach of Clearleap's Stream On Demand solution to a manufacturer in the TV industry. Clearleap recently announced the integration of its streaming solutions with a variety of connected entertainment TV box providers, as well as a set of APIs designed to make it fast and simple for TV operators to create and offer a TV Everywhere service. Connected TVs are forecast to become increasingly commonplace, with DisplaySearch saying 138 million units, about half of all TVs shipped, will be Internet ready in 21015. For more:
- see this release Related articles:
Fox sees convergence of online, broadcast ads and audience
Yahoo behind on rollout of Connected TV Store
Best Buy jumps into connected TV market with two new models
Does a 55-inch Apple TV make a Hulu deal more likely? Fox's new paywall makes Hulu even more attractive
Report: 3 Apple connected-TVs coming in March Read more about: Lg Electronics, clearleap, connected tv
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3. ESPN to broadcast more college football in 3D this season
ESPN 3D may have been dumped by AT&T's U-verse TV because its carriage fees were too pricey, but that's not stopping the broadcaster from pushing forward with its plans to expand the number of college football games it plans to air this year.  |
| ESPN's 3D footage is shot with a special camera (pictured). |
The company said it will double the number of games it broadcasts this fall to 20, in addition to five post-season bowl games and the Allstate BCS National Championship. Action kicks off over the Labor Day weekend with UNLV vs. Wisconsin, Thursday, Sept. 1, and Miami vs. Maryland, Monday, Sept. 5. AT&T (NYSE: T), whose carriage contract with ESPN 3D expired in July, dropped the channel with little, or no, public outcry. The channel, which the telco picked up last June, required subscribers pay $10 a month for the service's 3D technology package--and, of course, required subscribers have a 3D TV and the requisite glasses. The price tag for customers, and AT&T apparently, was too high. For more:
- see this Multichannel News article Related articles:
ESPN 3D picked up by AT&T U-verse with a bang, dropped with nary a whimper
CBS weighs entry into 3D market
3D TV sees slow uptake in U.S. market, for now
Survey: 3D adopters love the new technology
Samsung launching 3D video-on-demand service this summer Read more about: college football, ESPN 3d, AT&T u-verse
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4. U-verse VP Weber: More integration, content on the way in 2011
AT&T's (NYSE: T) U-verse added almost 1 million subscribers in 2010 and saw its efforts to increase bundling pay off: about 75 percent of AT&T U-verse customers take some form of triple-play from the company.  |
| Jeff Weber, VP of U-verse and video products, AT&T
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Jeff Weber, VP of U-verse and video products for the company, told FierceTelecom that 2011 is shaping up as a record year for the platform. Weber said the telco will have 30 million homes in its footprint by the end of the year, and the company will look to roll out additional services and content. "Tablets are very important with the U-verse TV service and will drive a lot more product innovation. You'll see a lot more from us during the year in that space and adding more and more content to U-verse line," Weber said. "Right now, subscribers can get 23,000 half-hour TV episodes online, and you can control your DVR and manage your settings. Throughout the year, we'll continue to focus on building more value into those existing services and continuing to make them work better and better together both from a content perspective as well as controlling the whole experience." Weber said the company also will look to continue its expansion of its VDSL2 FTTN network. "We're really comfortable with the technology and the scalability," he said. "Driving costs and making it more efficient is important, but we're really comfortable where we are." Weber also said the company was working to make sure that "customers get movies a month before you can get them on Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX)," adding "I actually think it's a good thing for us as the world gets more competitive because we're in such a good place competitive place from a product, network, and a capability perspective." Major concerns for IPTV providers include truck rolls and the cost of installation. Weber said the telco would welcome a self-configuring IPTV device for U-verse TV, but acknowledged that, so far, there isn't a sign of one on the horizon. "That's going to be an evolution," he said. "Because we're in an all-IP environment, I think we can get there a bit quicker than others. Right now, for any new customer that signs up for U-verse IPTV service, we do an install with a truck and make sure they have they have the right experience." For more:
- see this FierceTelecom interview Related articles:
AT&T U-verse adds more HD, international and movie channels to lineup
Verizon, AT&T gain subs as MSOs gird their loins and the cord cutting debate revives
U-verse rollout in Atlanta extends to more than 1M living units
AT&T adds 202,000 U-verse TV subs in Q2; revenue up, profits slip Read more about: Triple/Quadruple Play, NetFlix, AT&T u-verse
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5. OTT, video-on-demand services to reach combined $31.1B revenue by 2016
A new study says over-the-top video services could generate $16.4 billion in revenue, by 2016, with video-on-demand services from pay-TV providers seeing an additional $14.7 billion. The $31.1 billion in combined on-demand revenues represent a significant shift in the way the world is getting its personal entertainment, said IMS Research As video becomes available on more devices worldwide, connected TVs and game consoles will claim a growing share of the traffic, but set-top boxes will continue to deliver the bulk of on-demand content to homes, said Anna Hunt, principal analyst for IMS, in the study, "Over-the-Top Video: Service Delivery and Business Models." The number of pay-OTT transaction will increase tenfold, IMS forecasts, reaching 5.9 billion from the current 563 million it estimated for 2011. It predicts some 12.9 billion pay-VOD transactions through STBs by 2016, up from 5.2 billion this year. "Service and technology providers are finally delivering on the promise of video anywhere, anytime and to any device, which is exciting for consumers who are faced with an increasing amount of content to choose from," said Hunt. "Pay-TV operators are aggressive in pursuing on-demand and multi-device initiatives in order to keep up with this trend and hedge against competition from OTT service providers." Hunt said pay-TV subscription revenues, estimated at $224 billion worldwide last year, will "continue to dwarf service revenues generated from OTT and VOD." For more:
- see this release Related articles:
The bloom isn't quite off TV Everywhere's rose just yet... it's still evolving
TV Everywhere pushing video transcoding to a $460M business by 2015
OTT to create bandwidth woes for IPTV operators
Study says OTT service market to reach $16.4B by 2016, pinch pay-TV operators Read more about: Video on Demand, OTT Video, Trends & Metrics
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Also Noted
SPOTLIGHT ON... 2011 Women in Wireline  FierceTelecom has put together its second annual Women in Wireline feature. Similar to last year's debut feature, FierceTelecom's editors celebrate the diversity and recognize important women figures in the wireline segment of the telecom industry. This year's selection of the industry's movers and shakers was based on the nominees' ability to develop innovative new wireline services, drive technology innovation, and conduct complex company integration exercises. Our 2011 selections >>
More news from Fierce: > Another summer weekend, another major golf tournament, as the 93rd PGA Championship tees off Thursday morning at the Atlanta Athletic Club. But this weekend marks the return of Tiger Woods to a major tournament after an extended injury-related absence--he missed the U.S. Open and the British Open--and it promises to be, at the very least, an event. And, frankly, since there's no guarantee Woods will make it into the weekend, you might want to catch Thursday's and Friday's rounds. Article > BroadSoft today said second quarter revenue increased 63 percent year-over-year to $32.2 million; a significant jump in license revenue--it improved 82 percent to $19.2 million--pumped earnings up to $15.8 million, or 32 cents per share for the quarter. In May, the company forecast 9 cents to 11 cents EPS on $28 million to $29 million of revenue. Article > Brantley Telephone (BTC), a 6,000 subscriber line telecommunications company, has recently changed its IPTV middleware platform to the Innovative Systems Middleware solution. Release > With Dish Network's CEO confirming rumors that it's planning to launch a Netflix-type streaming video offering "sooner than later," it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that competitor DirecTV is in the market for a similar component, this time Hulu. Article > In its first full quarter as owner of NBCUniversal, Comcast today reported strong second quarter results, including revenue of $14.3 billion, an increase of 51 percent from a year ago, easily topping Wall Street estimates. The company also reported net income of $1.02 billion, or 37 cents per share, up from $844 million, or 31 cents per share, a year ago. Article > Digital entertainment technology provider Rovi says it is expanding its three-month-long "Smart TV Field Trial," which enables companies to test click-through ad campaigns across a wide variety of platforms including TVs, Blu-Ray Players and other devices, to Canada following success in the U.S. Article > Netflix is extending its relationship with indie-studio Lionsgate, signing a multi-year deal with the studios United Kingdom division that may signal the streaming video giant's intent to soon enter the European market. Article > Verizon was ordered by a federal jury to pay $115 million in damages to interactive television technology provider ActiveVideo Networks for infringing on four of the San Jose, Calif. company's patents. Article > Click-to-play video syndicator Alphabird and Meredith Video Studios are partnering to distribute featured branded-video content for advertising clients across the Meredith Video Network. Article > Reports that Apple is planning to launch an HD connected TV in 2012 continue to percolate. This time, Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry issued a note to investors that Apple may offer as many as three sets in March. Article > Panasonic, Samsung Electronics, Sony and Xpand 3D announced plans to jointly develop a specification for 3D active-shutter glasses based on Bluetooth wireless technology--although the effort will do nothing about the fact that many people don't like wearing 3D glasses at all. Article And finally... Mexico border town mayor and congressional candidate Martin Resendiz was drunk when he signed nine contracts with a California company that is now suing the city for $1 million, according to a deposition in the case. Oops. Article > 5 Ways Master Data Management Makes Telecos Smarter - Sept 14, 2pm ET/ 11am PT Master data management helps make telecos smarter. MDM enables telecommunications companies to connect disparate pieces of customer and product information across lines of business, service locations, billing systems and more. Register for this webinar to learn more!
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> The Future of 4G: A FREE Interactive Executive Summit - September 20, 2011 Registration is now open for FierceWireless' latest virtual event, which combines the outstanding content and networking opportunities of our live events with the convenience of a Webinar. Join us as we explore the many ways operators are maximizing their 4G network investments and evolving their business strategies to accommodate a new era of mobile broadband. We'll also take a look at what is next on the network evolution path: LTE-advanced. It's a full day of Fierce content, delivered to you at your desktop, and it's FREE. Register Now!
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> New Fierce eBook: Cashing in on the Cloud Services Opportunity This eBook from FierceTelecom we will explore the trends, benefits and challenges service providers have in building a profitable cloud service business.Click here to download today. > New Fierce eBook: Realizing Mobile Video's Promise This eBook from FierceMobileContent will look at some of the technologies necessary to deliver a quality mobile video experience as well as delve into the various business models necessary for making this a reality. Click here to download today.
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> Sr. RF Engineer at SyChip, Inc. in Plano, TX If you have RF Engineering experience in wireless technology – this is a great OPPORTUNITY to join an exciting company and to become a part of a winning team Murata Electronics North America, Inc., a leading international electronic component sales organization, is seeking a Senior RF Engineer for our Plano, Texas office. Learn More! > Atoll RF Planning / Optimization Tool Product Support Engineers at Forsk, Chicago, IL Forsk is looking for support engineers for its RF planning & optimization software, Atoll. Main responsibilities will be: Technical support for existing customers (hotline, emails); Support during evaluations (remote and on-site); Pre-sale/Post-sale training & mentoring sessions... Read more. > Radio Network Trainer, Wireless WorkForce in San Diego, CA Wireless WorkForce Technical Training is seeking one or more full or part-time trainers to train students on the installation of microwave and radio access network equipment at our San Diego California facility. The ideal candidate(s) will meet the following criteria: *Alcatel Lucent radio access network and microwave equipment experience *Extensive knowledge and experience in microwave network installation... Learn more. > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs |
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Comcast-NBCUniversal: 6 months later
