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Home movies? Veoh has got 10,000 online
November 9, 2005 -
NBC, CBS to offer shows on demand for 99 cents
November 7, 2005 -
Apple cuts the TV out of TV programming
October 12, 2005 -
AOL launches video search service
June 30, 2005
The new In2TV broadband network service will include 15- and 30-second video advertisements that will be limited to a total of one to two minutes within each 30-minute episode, compared with eight minutes of ads on broadcast television, AOL said in a statement.
The service will be offered in a new DVD-quality video format called AOL Hi-Q that enables high resolution, full-screen viewing to any broadband user.
The on-demand deal, which involves about 300 shows including "Welcome Back Kotter," "Kung Fu" and "Growing Pains," will feature six channels ranging from comedy and drama to animation and science fiction. In2TV will also include interactive features such as games, quizzes, polls and trivia contests.
"This service will bring an unprecedented collection of popular TV series to a totally new platform, revolutionizing the distribution of television programming," Eric Frankel, president of Warner Bros. domestic cable distribution, said in a statement.
The move is the latest in a series of deals media companies have announced to offer alternative sources of television programming.
A week ago, NBC and CBS unveiled separate plans to make prime-time shows available commercial-free for 99 cents an episode.
In October, Disney said it would offer episodes of five popular television shows from ABC and Disney's cable network and some animated short films and music videos for $1.99 each for viewing on Apple Computer's iPod.
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Dear AOL, No one wants to watch TV on their computer regularly (other than a few geeks). Attention NBC/CBS, anyone owning the Tivo that is required to buy your shows doesn't need to buy them. Especially ones that disappear.
The Apple/ABC/Disney deal isn't perfect (the vid could be better, and more portable). But it appears they are the only ones who have half a clue.
This deal was set to fail. I just wish I could see the faces of the executives as they wonder why their latest venture failed. Here's a hint: try no streaming media next time!!
Don't forget that Windows Vista will have Media Center built in on many versions, which includes a TV-out. That will make it much easier for people to watch intenet content on their TV. Broadband has surpassed dial-up in number of customers, and the percentage will only keep growing.
Also, in the next year I think we will finally see the coming of age of digital media hubs that make it easy for us to share internet and digital content among various TVs, computers, and portable video devices in our homes. I'm hoping that Apple is developing one, because I think they would be the ones to do it right in order to bring these mainstream.