Sony Kills Off Internet TV with Google TV Platform

While not officially announced from Sony corporate, I have been able to confirm via a Sony Store and multiple calls to Sony's sales number that Sony has stopped producing their Sony Internet TV with the built-in Google TV platform. Over the past few weeks I've been noticing that Sony's Google TV model has disappeared from nearly all supply channels and…

YouTube’s new channels feature Tony Hawk, Shaun White, action sports

YouTube is continuing to roll out new channels as part of its push to develop into a destination for more original content. The latest addition, four sports channels that should appeal to a pretty desirable demo… males under the age of 30, include skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing action. RIDE (pictured) is one of the new sports-oriented YouTube channels. Here’s what’s new: The Red Bull Channel is bringing 13 new original episodic series that will chronicle the competition and daily lives of action sports athletes including urban mountain biker and YouTube celebrity, Danny MacAskill, skateboarding pro Ryan Sheckler, action sports phenom Travis Pastrana and big wave surfer Jamie O’Brien; RIDE, a 24-hour channel devoted to the skateboarding lifestyle that will feature Tony Hawk, Skatepark of Tampa, Jamie Thomas and Lance Krall among others.

Cable outscores telcos in broadband download speed tests

Pssst! Want some fast broadband speeds? A new study shows you may want to pass on telcos in favor of cable operators. Ookla’s Net Index shows six cable companies, Comcast, Charter Communications,

ViewCast debuts new Niagra 9100 streaming video encoder line

Video encoding and management solution provider ViewCast is rolling out a new video encoder series that streams SD and HD video and enables service providers, broadcasters and enterprises to power digital content for existing and new audiences in the mobile, web and IPTV environments. The Niagara 9100 series is a high-density/high-performance multiple encoder platform. The Plano, Texas-based company said the product is in response to the market’s demand for increased digital media performance in less space, and it targeted its new Niagara 9100 series at larger, high-volume network customers. The Niagara 9100 delivers multiple, simultaneous streams in a variety of formats, and is optimized for digital media applications including live streaming/simulcasting, webcasting, mobile TV, archiving/video on demand and IPTV. The Niagara 9100 uses multi-core CPU technology and can be configured for a variety of video and audio inputs, including HD-SDI, component Y/C and composite video with balanced, unbalanced, embedded and AES/EBU audio.

Class action suit filed over Netflix stock nosedive

Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) is facing a class action suit from a group of shareholders that say the company concealed negative subscription trends and put out false and misleading statements about its negotiations and contracts with content providers. The investors, from the City of Royal Oak Retirement System, filed the suit in California federal court. It claims unnamed Netflix executives made “materially false and misleading” statements, withheld information about negotiations with content owners, and didn’t disclose that some of its deals were short term ones that left the company with a “Hobbesian choice to renegotiate the contracts in 2011 at much higher rates or not renew them at all.” The suit also alleges that Netflix didn’t acknowledge that content providers were demanding much higher rates to renew contracts. Netflix, which at one point last summer was trading above $300, currently is in the $90 range.

Akamai Now Has A VP/GM For Their Licensed CDN Initiative

Over the past few weeks, I've been getting many questions from Wall Street analysts as to when Akamai will hire a VP/GM for their licensed CDN (LCDN) initiatives. Normally I don't highlight when vendors fill job openings unless they are at the C level, but in this case, since I'm being asked so often I'll share what I know. While…

Hulu expected to grow by a ‘multiple’ in 2012

Hulu, which currently has 1.2 million subscribers to its Hulu Plus service, “will have a multiple of that this year,” said Jonathan Miller, chairman and CEO of News Digital Media and chief digital officer of News Corp. (Nasdaq: NWSA), during a discussion at CES.

Cisco’s refocused Videoscape floats more clearly to the cloud

Over the past year, Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) has struggled to regain its mojo, as well as figure out its direction. Its identity crisis approached seemingly schizophrenic proportions, as it championed its doomed Flip video camera, and, until recently, the just decommissioned Umi personal video conferencing system.

EdgeCast debuts licensed CDN program; has 2 top carriers on board

Content delivery network EdgeCast Networks this week said it had built a production CDN for a tier one U.S. carrier and is now ready to roll out its licensed CDN program. The announcement comes three months after it signed a deal to power Asian carrier Pacnet’s CDN service. EdgeCast said the top tier U.S.

Showtime teams with Roku, Brightcove on OTT sample

Showtime is experimenting with over-the-top delivery of some of its content, teaming with Brightcove and Roku in launching a Showtime interactive application for Roku devices. The offering includes promotional content from its series Shameless and its new comedy series House of Lies.

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