Jim BartholdChecking out the most influential women in wireline
Over at FierceTelecom, editor Sean Buckley profiles 10 women at companies such as Google, Verizon and AT&T who are shaping the future of the wireline industry--long a male-dominated field.
Why Aereo's legal battle is important to Intel and Sky Angel
Last week, attention in the pay-TV and online video world was drawn to the agreements between major pay-TV distributors and TV networks. The issue mirrors one that has been playing out in a New York courthouse over the past year in the Aereo litigation case.
Netflix highlights 'family' programming
Netflix is courting families with a new page meant to promote its family-friendly content to existing and prospective subscribers.
Viacom producing short-form Web series at MTVOther.com
Viacom's MTV has set up a new studio to make short online video clips for MTVOther.com and its TV Everywhere apps.
Boxee said to have found a buyer
Boxee, the New York- and Tel Aviv-based online DVR company, has reportedly found a buyer for its assets.
Comcast, Chernin Group, WPP fund Fullscreen
YouTube partner Fullscreen said it has raised money from The Chernin Group, Comcast and WPP. The company didn't say how much money it rounded up or how much ownership it sold in the process.
Netflix gets rights to new DreamWorks Animation shows
Netflix will get about 300 hours of original programming from DreamWorks Animation under a new agreement the two companies announced Monday.
Cable's threats to online video include co-opting audience
At The Cable Show this week, device makers and service providers seemed increasingly open to integrating online video and over-the-top TV services with their own video products. While the prospect that online video companies may get greater access to the cable set-top box is enticing, the online video industry should be wary of integrating too closely with pay-TV providers.
Telcos build fiber to wireless towers to meet video demand
The major phone companies are increasingly pulling fiber networks to cell towers, to provide backhaul services to the wireless carriers. As carriers offer faster wireless broadband access they need to move more bits--much of it video--around the broader network.
LG, Samsung, others show off cable products that look more like Roku, Apple TV
Consumer electronics companies and cable technology vendors are preparing devices and services for the cable industry that incorporate the features found in in streaming media devices like the Roku and Apple TV.
Hulu auction draws in AT&T as speculation mounts about license sale
Speculation about the Hulu auction continued to mount this week. The latest reports indicate AT&T may join with the Chernin Group on a bid for the online video site. Hulu is owned by Comcast, News Corp. and Walt Disney Co.
YouTube revenue share sparks debate among content creators
A debate is playing out online over whether content creators can make enough money on YouTube. On one side, antagonists like Jason Calacanis and Mark Cuban have written that the Google extracts too high a tax on its contributors. Others have defended the site.
Congress eyes online video, ponders parity in the marketplace
There's no guarantee congress will take up any online video-related legislation. But the industry has its attention, Congressional aides said here at The Cable Show.
Cable set-top boxes from Rovi, Pace integrate online video
Cable technology vendors are increasingly touting their ability to integrate online video services like YouTube with traditional pay-TV programming.
Malone discusses broadband video 'tier' for cable
Online video companies can't reach the consumer on their own; they have to rely on Internet service providers to actually deliver their bits to viewers.
The online video industry shouldn't ignore D.C.
The online video industry shouldn't ignore what plays out in Washington at The Cable Show next week. The beltway can seem remote from Silicon Valley--where much of the online video industry is concentrated--but it's worth a visit.
Bids for Hulu said to top $1B
The auction for Hulu is said to have attracted at least three bids in excess of $1 billion, according to a report in Reuters. The new, higher bids could finally lead to a sale of part or all of the site, which has teetered on the verge of a major liquidity event such as a sale or initial public offering for years.
Sky Angel - C-SPAN antitrust suit dismissed
A federal judge dismissed an antitrust lawsuit brought by the online video distributor Sky Angel against C-SPAN. But Sky Angel's attorney said the company plans to refile the matter before July 3.
Amazon's online video service licenses Viacom shows
"Dora the Explorer" is coming to Amazon Prime Instant Video. Amazon said Tuesday it agreed to license the hit kids' show and others from Viacom.
Roku gets $60M from Hearst, Fidelity, others
Roku got a cash infusion of $60 million last week from financial and strategic investors. The company has raised $140 million since it began operating in 2002.
