Betting on original TV online

This week, while the broadcast networks' prime time schedules are winding down for summer, Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) will add a new season of “Arrested Development” to its library. The show, developed and originally carried by a broadcast network, was revived by Los Gatos, Calif.-based Netflix and arguably represents its highest-profile foray yet into original programming. The timing is smart. TV seasons are expiring and Hollywood's summer blockbuster run hasn't yet exploded onto screens. Die-hard fans of “Arrested Development” are eager to see new episodes and have been primed with a steady barrage of marketing

New Device Chart Lets You Compare Today’s Streaming Boxes and Content Platforms

There’s more than a dozen streaming media boxes on the market today and trying to compare their technical specs and which content platforms they support can be a challenge. So I’ve put together an updated chart which compares the top 14 devices. This is an update to last year’s chart and includes recently released boxes from Roku 3, Hisense, Asus, Nintendo and also many of the new content platforms like Redbox and others. You can download a high-res PDF copy of the chart by clicking on the image below and you can always find the latest version of the chart at www.StreamingMediaDevices.com I will update the chart throughout the year when new devices come out and new content platforms are supported

Twitter gets some NBA clips

Twitter began embedding some NBA highlights in certain tweets this week. Through a deal with the basketball league and its digital media partner Turner Sports, the clips will appear within official NBA tweets with the hashtag #NBARapidReplay during the rest of the playoffs, according to a report in Bloomberg. So far, sponsors include Taco Bell and Sony Pictures, a quick survey of the clips on Twitter revealed

Microsoft’s Xbox One makes play for living room

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) continued its push for a larger role in living room entertainment with its new game console and entertainment center, Xbox One. Microsoft described the device–it boasts 8 GB of RAM and an enhanced Kinect visual and audio interface–as a single device for providing all entertainment and communications bound for the living room TV set, from online video to games and traditional TV. Microsoft also said it will produce a live-action TV series with Steven Spielberg for its Xbox Live platform based on the popular Halo game series.

Deploying an Operator CDN to Enhance Customer Experience

On Monday at the Content Delivery Summit in NYC , Akamai and Charter Communications will discuss industry trends leading network operators to evaluate and implement CDN software, and will showcase Charter Communications’ successful implementation of CDN. Charter will explain its decision to utilize a standard CDN approach to video, the challenges and best practices for implementation, its architecture, rollout process, results and next steps. Now in its fifth year, the Content Delivery Summit is a one-day conference designed to bring together telecom carriers, service providers, content owners, and industry vendors for a detailed look at CDN platforms for the delivery of video and content acceleration. Online registration is now closed, but readers of my blog can still register onsite using my own personal discount code of DR13, which gets you a ticket to the show for only $395. Speakers and presenters include: Netflix, eBay, LinkedIn, Redbox, Telefonica, Deutsche Telekom, TeliaSonera, Comcast, Charter Communications, Telstra, Pacnet, Telin as well as many of today’s leading solution providers.

Hear About Operator Strategies for OTT Video Delivery at The CDN Summit

Many service providers are exploring ways to adapt their networks for the rapidly growing tidal wave of over-the-top video. While OTT offers a tremendous new opportunity, it also presents operators with a great challenge of scaling their networks.

Learn How Old Media Is Embracing Online Video and New Media at #smeast

At the Streaming Media East show , taking place next week May 21-22 in NYC, we have a session that will discuss how converging media technologies are redefining traditional distribution methods; how interactive and on-demand services are changing; and how entertainment and news video is being consumed. Come hear from publishers, and advertisers about the impact that video and new media is having upon their business models. Confirmed speakers include: Moderator: Jose Castillo, President, thinkjose Erin Gargan, President and CEO, Socialite Mina Seetharaman, Senior Partner, Advanced Video Practice, OgilvyOne Steven Siegel, Specialist Sales Executive, Video,  Microsoft Advertising Max Haot, Co-Founder, CEO, Livestream It’s not too late to get a pass to the show and readers of my blog can register using my own personal discount code of DR13, which gets you a two-day ticket to the show for only $695 and gives you access to 40 sessions and how-to presentations and 100+ speakers. You can also register for an exhibits only pass and get access to the show floor, both keynotes from CBS and ESPN and all the networking events, at no charge.

Best Practices For Live Streaming Production

At the Streaming Media East show , taking place next week, May 21-22 in NYC, we’ve got a session that will discuss tips and tricks, best practices, and lessons learned regarding the technical setup of live streaming production. Learn how to stream multiple formats from a single encoder, use social networking overlays, leverage adaptive bitrate streaming, and transition between live streams from multiple camera angles using multi-encoder synchronization. Confirmed speakers include: Moderator: Philip Nelson, SVP, Artist and Media Relations, NewTek Erin Bigelow, Technical Director, St.

TeliaSonera Announces Managed CDN and Site Acceleration Deal With EdgeCast

Earlier in the week, TeliaSonera announced a deal with EdgeCast to do a large managed CDN and site acceleration deployment in 3-4 countries where they are the incumbent telecom and have built a specialized sales team of CDN professionals to sell the solutions. For EdgeCast, this is the second large managed CDN deal they have done this year – PT Telekom and now TeliaSonera.

Using File-Based Workflows With Live Streaming To Replicate The Linear TV Experience

If you want to learn how to make a broadcast channel from VOD assets and the methods for distributing live streams to desktops and portable devices for all co-viewing opportunities, then don’t miss the Streaming Media East show next week . Vevo and Level 3 will walk you through the process of turning your video on demand (VOD) library into an online broadcast channel in a presentation entitled, “ How To: Using File-Based Workflows With Live Streaming To Replicate The Linear Television Experience .” Get detailed specifics on encoding, leveraging your CMS to integrate metadata, how to set up a playlist mechanism, and how to turn the file-based encodes into live HD streaming.

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