VOD

Bright House Networks Launches VOD for the PC

Bernie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:27:14 -0500

ORLANDO (November 17, 2008) – Bright House Networks today announces a significant expansion of its Video On Demand (VOD) services with the launch of a new online destination where consumers can download to own or rent thousands of titles from Hollywood studios and across many cable and television networks. The online video store service, entitled Road Runner Video Store, is available at http://videostore.rr.com. Read More ...

SuddenLink Goes Head First into VOD

Bernie — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:23:01 -0400

Suddenlink, a top 10 cable company with 1.3 million customers, will launch VOD services in 23 of its markets. Suddenlink will use a new managed VOD service by SeaChange, which integrates third party VOD servers. The new VOD platform will be centrally managed from Suddenlink’s College Park, TX facility. "From the outset, our goal was to build a centralized VOD operation that spanned multiple DACs and markets, minimized equipment and network elements, and leveraged our national backbone while minimizing the need to have operational VOD personnel in every market," said Gregg Grigaitis, vice president, advanced technology, Suddenlink, in a SeaChange company statement. Suddenlink has already been offering VOD in a West Virginia market. This latest move will dramatically increase their VOD capability and help them meet the growing competitive challenge from telcoTV operators.

Cable Vulnerable to High Churn Over Low Satisfaction

Bernie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:06:15 -0400

Cable customer’s continue to be dissatisfied and are likely to leave for telcoTV and DBS competitors unless cable companies react. This according to a new research report from Parks Associates. "Cable subscribers are generally less satisfied, which creates opportunities for satellite and telco/IPTV providers to grab customers," said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. Parks recommends that cable companies address poor satisfaction ratings by offering more and better enhanced services like VoD. "Subscribers who actively use primetime VoD services show significantly higher satisfaction levels," Scherf said.

There have been similar findings by J.D. Power that suggest lower satisfaction for video services among cable subscribers, when compared with telcoTV subscribers. AT&T and Verizon have done a decent job of differentiating their video product on features. Verizon has leveraged the FTTH “advantage” quite well, and AT&T has leveraged features like universal HD and HD DVR set top boxes. Parks’ research findings seem to support this perceived advantage. Maybe the perception of new and better features translates to more customer satisfaction, assuming those features are user friendly and cost competitive. TelcoTV services have apparently achieved that perception – more/better features at the same or better cost. Can they maintain that perception over the long term?

AT&T Confirms HD VOD Availability

Bernie — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:43:59 -0400

We reported about a soft launch of HD VOD last week and now AT&T has officially confirmed the availability of an HD VOD library. It is available to all U-verse customers. "With an extensive HD channel lineup, HD-capable equipment in every package, excellent picture quality and now HD VOD, AT&T U-verse TV is ready to provide the ultimate HD viewing experience for our customers," said Rich Wellerstein, AT&T vice president of Programming in a company statement. HD services are available to U-verse customers for an additional $10/month.

AT&T Soft Launching Multi-Room DVR, HD VOD

Bernie — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:11:30 -0400

AT&T is apparently soft launching a multi-room DVR and HD VOD service. Readers are reporting to Engadget HD and BroadbandReports.com that AT&T is notifying select customers about the availability of the new services. There has been no official word from AT&T. AT&T is joining Verizon, who is also using a “whole home” DVR solution to try to get a leg up on their cable and DBS competitors. According to the initial communication from AT&T to its customers, the whole room DVR will be a “free” upgrade and will require no swap out of equipment. Verizon is featuring a free year of multi-room DVR service promotion through October 4th. Cable will soon fight back with a networked DVR solution, thanks to a recent court case won by Cablevision. Networked DVR does not require the more expensive DVR set top boxes, and perhaps will provide a cheaper and more differentiated DVR product.

Avail Media Launches 20 New Affiliates

Bernie — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:26:58 -0400

Avail Media announced the launch of 20 new affiliates for their IPTV linear content solution. In a company statement, Avail said “…these affiliates add to Avail Media's 35 video on demand affiliates that are already live in market and represent just a fraction of the 94 customers with whom Avail Media has secured deals to provide linear and/or video on demand services.” The new affiliates are located across 14 states.

Amazon Launching VOD Service

Bernie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Amazon is launching a video on demand library of movies and TV shows, delivered directly to TV’s over the Interent. Unlike Amazon’s previous video download service, Unbox, viewers can begin watching videos immediately instead of having to wait for it to download. The service uses a “predictive download” technology, allowing customers to begin watching a title, before it’s completely downloaded. Amazon struck a deal with Sony for their Bravia TV line. The partnership requires a separate set-top-box for now, but future iterations may embed the Amazon download service directly in TVs. Another feature allows customers to purchase video titles, and view them from multiple devices at different times. The service is expected to go live on Thursday July 24th.

Avail Media Launches New VOD Affiliates

Bernie — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:41:02 -0400

Avail Media announced the launch of several new affiliates for its VOD service. The new affiliates include Clarksville Utilities, NuVision, FTC Diversified Services, LigTel, Guam Telecom Authority, Kentucky Telephone, and Lafayette Utilities System. "With Avail On Demand, we are now able to provide our subscribers with a wide variety of content from both major motion picture studios and independents," said Dent Adams, COO, FTC Diversified Services in a Avail Media press release.

DirecTV Launches VOD Nationwide

Bernie — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:42:19 -0400

DirecTV announced the availability of its video-on-demand service on a nationwide basis. DirecTV’s VOD solution utilizes content delivery over broadband networks, as well as “pushes” content to compatible DVRs via satellite. Customers are required to have a DirecTV Plus HD DVR or R22 DVR receiver, as well as subscribe to broadband. DirecTV says the service offers more than 4,000 standard-definition and HD titles. The service has been in limited trials before the nationwide launch.

Verizon Launches Free Movie Promotion for FiOS

Bernie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:39:45 -0400

Verizon announced a new FiOS TV promotion, the Summer Movie Pass, which offers 90 days of free access to movie channels, four free VOD movies, and a free 90 day upgrade to their Home Media DVR package. The free movie channels will include Showtime, Starz, The Movie Channel, Encore, Sundance Channel and IFC. The Home Media DVR allows multi-room DVR functionality, among other features. The movie feature package is priced at $14.99/month. The promotion ends on July 19th.