Akimbo is Dead

Bernie — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:46:45 -0400

Akimbo, an Internet video-on-demand service provider is no more. They’ve made it to TechCrunch’s dreaded Deadpool. It’s somewhat of a puzzling development, since Akimbo raised $56 million just three months ago. Akimbo had shifted their business model to a “white label” provider of Internet VOD. CenturyTel recently launched an Internet VOD product, powered by Akimbo. Akimbo was also featured in AT&T’s Homezone product. Akimbo’s demise gives Internet VOD somewhat of a blackeye. They originally started as a hardware provider, offering VOD set-top-boxes. They then shifted to a Internet only model, and their last iteration before death was a “white label” provider. Is there an Internet VOD model that works, because it looks like Akimbo tried them all?

New Internet VOD Provider Vudu Launches Service

Bernie — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 08:28:51 -0400

Vudu, a Santa Clara, CA start-up, began selling Internet based VOD titles. The Vudu service offers a $399 Internet connected set top box, with access to 5,000 titles. The service requires a broadband connection, and uses peer-to-peer technology to display content on a television, but does not require a PC. Prices for one-time rentals range from $0.99 - $3.99, and prices for purchased movies range from $4.99 - $19.99, depending on the age of the movie.