Supplying whole-home DVRs with fancy user interfaces and access to a menu of over-the-top content represents just a portion of TiVo’s relationship with Atlantic Broadband.
Atlantic Broadband, a subsidiary of Canadian cable operator Cogeco Cable, is also working with TiVo on the development on a TV Everywhere portal that is targeted for launch before the end of 2013, David Isenberg, Atlantic Broadband’s chief marketing and strategy officer, said.
He said the operator’s initial slate of TV Everywhere fare will feature authenticated content from more than 30 networks, including premiums HBO, Cinemax, Starz, Encore, and Movieplex, as well as access to shows from several popular national cable channels from the A&E, Turner and NBCUniversal, and Fox properties.
The coming portal will highlight the Atlantic Broadband brand and look a lot like TiVo interface that’s powering the MSO-supplied boxes. “We think what’s unique is we’re offering a consistent look and feel across all screens with TiVo,” Isenberg said, noting that the MSO’s legacy platform uses boxes from Cisco/Scientific Atlanta and Arris/Motorola.
Atlantic Broadband is the first cable operator to announce the deployment of TiVo’s T6 platform, which is the operator version of the hardware for TiVo’s retail-focused Roamio Plus DVR. Among the cable-tweaks in the T6: Atlantic Broadband’s version will use Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) technology to distribute live TV and recorded content to TiVo Mini client boxes over the home network, and it has been integrated with the MSO’s own video-on-demand service, which relies on Arris video pumps and video backoffice.
The box will also support many of the retail-facing aspects of the Roamio, including recommendations and a quick view of what’s popular on live TV.
At this juncture, Atlantic Broadband will not offer out-of-home streaming, a feature that TiVo just added to the Roamio. “In the near term, our primary focus for out-of-home consumption is the TV Everywerhe home page,” Isenberg said. “Out-of-home streaming capability is still something brand new and something we’re evaluating carefully.”
Atlantic Broadband will also offer a mix of over-the-top content on the TiVo platform, including YouTube, AOL On and a TiVo Hotlist with curated Web videos.
Netflix support? Not yet. “Clearly with 30 million subscribers there are lots of folks who have Netflix and enjoy Netflix…and most of that consumption is on people’s TVs,” Isenberg said. “As an industry, when we have found ways to deliver what customers want and add value to their TV experience, it’s been a win for us and a win for customers. Finding a way for us to bring some of these other services to our customers in an integrated fashion would fit that assessment, if we’re able to do so.”
Atlantic Broadband launched its TiVo offering on Tuesday in Cumberland, Md., offering it with six different produce bundles, including three double-play packages (TV plus broadband) and three triple-play packages.
The MSO expects to debut TiVo in Miami, Fla., and Aiken, S.C., later this year, and follow with additional market launches in early 2014. Atlantic Broadband, which serves more than 230,000 customers, also operates systems in western Pennsylvania and parts of Maryland and Delaware.
Comcast launches 'Internet Plus' HBO bundle for broadband customers
Just last month Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes said he was open to the possibility of bundling HBO Go with broadband subscriptions, and it looks like that vision is now being executed — in a way. As spotted by DSL Reports and GigaOM, Comcast is now offering a package called Internet Plus. It puts together a 25 Mbps internet connection, a basic TV lineup of 45 channels, Comcast's own streaming video service Streampix, and most importantly, a subscription to HBO and HBO Go. According to DSL Reports it's priced between $40 and $50 and is only available in certain markets. We were able to confirm that it's available in sections of Northern California for $39.99 a month.
The package is essentially what many cord cutters, and Game of Thrones fans, have been asking for: a way to legally watch their favorite shows online over a speedy internet connection, without paying for expensive, full-scale TV packages that they never watch. To get a sense of how little the basic TV service adds to the cost of Internet Plus, one needs only to look at Comcast's other $39.99 package. That deal is made up of the same 25 Mbps internet connection paired with telephone service — with no television or streaming video options at all.
Comcast_internet_plus1_560
It's important to note that this may just be a trial balloon; the offer is available only to new customers, and you'll have to sign up by January 31st in order to take advantage. After the first year of service the cost will also jump up to $69.95. But given the popularity of streaming video services, there's undeniable pressure for service providers to address consumer demand for a la carte programming without upsetting their basic business models. These kind of small steps are welcome — and certainly, the possibility exists that some customers could find themselves so enraptured by the programming on television that they upgrade to more elaborate packages. For those that aren't interested in hundreds of channels at their fingertips, however, it's a sign that companies may finally be open to addressing their wants and needs as well.
The package is essentially what many cord cutters, and Game of Thrones fans, have been asking for: a way to legally watch their favorite shows online over a speedy internet connection, without paying for expensive, full-scale TV packages that they never watch. To get a sense of how little the basic TV service adds to the cost of Internet Plus, one needs only to look at Comcast's other $39.99 package. That deal is made up of the same 25 Mbps internet connection paired with telephone service — with no television or streaming video options at all.
Comcast_internet_plus1_560
It's important to note that this may just be a trial balloon; the offer is available only to new customers, and you'll have to sign up by January 31st in order to take advantage. After the first year of service the cost will also jump up to $69.95. But given the popularity of streaming video services, there's undeniable pressure for service providers to address consumer demand for a la carte programming without upsetting their basic business models. These kind of small steps are welcome — and certainly, the possibility exists that some customers could find themselves so enraptured by the programming on television that they upgrade to more elaborate packages. For those that aren't interested in hundreds of channels at their fingertips, however, it's a sign that companies may finally be open to addressing their wants and needs as well.
TalkTalk launches £7.50 TV, broadband and phone deal
TalkTalk has launched a new package deal that includes TV, broadband and calls for £7.50 per month plus line rental.
The Essentials TV bundle comes with a YouView TV box worth worth £149 and unlimited internet, as well as evening and weekend calls.
Catch up TV now accounts for a fifth of British TV viewing
TalkTalk claims that the package is the UK's lowest price for TV, internet and calls, allegedly representing savings of up to £190 in comparison to BT's equivalent deal over 18 months.
Tristia Harrison of TalkTalk said: "This is TalkTalk doing what it does best: giving families access to exciting new products at unbeatable prices.
"Each week thousands more homes are signing up to YouView from TalkTalk because of our great value offering.
"Watching catch-up on your TV and having access to additional channels is now a pre-requisite for many. EssentialsTV offers both the functionality and content that modern households demand, together with the market's best value price point.
"It supports our goal to help make Britain better off."
TalkTalk delivers line rental at £15.40 per month, and also offers a Value option for an upfront payment of £126, representing a saving of £58.80.
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a528851/talktalk-launches-gbp750-tv-broadband-and-phone-deal.html#ixzz2jsKHZxS4
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook
The Essentials TV bundle comes with a YouView TV box worth worth £149 and unlimited internet, as well as evening and weekend calls.
Catch up TV now accounts for a fifth of British TV viewing
TalkTalk claims that the package is the UK's lowest price for TV, internet and calls, allegedly representing savings of up to £190 in comparison to BT's equivalent deal over 18 months.
Tristia Harrison of TalkTalk said: "This is TalkTalk doing what it does best: giving families access to exciting new products at unbeatable prices.
"Each week thousands more homes are signing up to YouView from TalkTalk because of our great value offering.
"Watching catch-up on your TV and having access to additional channels is now a pre-requisite for many. EssentialsTV offers both the functionality and content that modern households demand, together with the market's best value price point.
"It supports our goal to help make Britain better off."
TalkTalk delivers line rental at £15.40 per month, and also offers a Value option for an upfront payment of £126, representing a saving of £58.80.
Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a528851/talktalk-launches-gbp750-tv-broadband-and-phone-deal.html#ixzz2jsKHZxS4
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook
Sky profits drop, but Sky Go and Broadband packages boost figures
Sky has announced an 8 per cent drop in year-on-year profits, despite its continued push on Sky Go and broadband helping to boost figures.
Making the announcement during its annual profits call, broadcast and internet giant Sky has revealed that despite an 8 per cent annual decline in profits, more than 36 per cent of Sky customers now choose to take TV, telephone and broadband from the company.
Subscribers to the company's flagship TV service have remained stagnant for the second year running (from 10.2 million in 11/12 to 10.4 million now), but there's been a rapid growth in connected TV services and broadband packages.
The firm has reported 3.4 million customers now have Sky HD boxes, with numbers of internet connected box users growing by 50,000 a week. In addition, On Demand usage has quadrupled and movie rentals have also doubled.
Another flourishing section of the company is its mobile TV service Sky Go. More than 40 per cent of Sky Sports viewers watched via the network this year and there have been 219,000 net additions to Sky Go Extra, the company's video download to device service.
It's also been a successful year for Sky Broadband, which now has more than 5 million customers, with a quarterly subscriber increase of 9 per cent.
“We are making excellent progress against the plan we set out in July to accelerate growth and returns from new services," said chief executive Jeremy Darroch.
"We have made a very good start to the year. Strong growth across the board drove a 7 per cent increase in revenues and we added 50 per cent more new subscription products than last year as customers continued to respond to the quality and value we offer," he stated.
"While the consumer environment remains challenging, we are well placed as we execute a strong set of plans for the rest of the year."
TalkTalk Plus TV broadband deal now offers £30 Love2shop voucher
For a limited period only, new customers signing up for the TV, home phone and broadband bundle online can get their hands on a Love2shop voucher.
This can be used to make savings in more than 20,000 UK high street stores - including Argos, Debenhams, River Island and Waterstones - plus bars, restaurants and various other attractions.
Consumers have until October 24th to take advantage of the broadband deal, which runs in addition to the existing price offer on TalkTalk Plus TV.
For the first six months of their broadband deal, subscribers can pay just £10 per month for TV, broadband and calls - down from the normal £15.50 per month.
This allows customers to save £33 during the introductory period of their 18-month contract.
A line rental fee of £15.40 per month applies from the first month.
The broadband package offers download speeds of up to 16Mb with an unlimited monthly usage allowance.
Subscribers can also take advantage of unlimited anytime calls to UK landlines.
The TV portion of the deal includes a free YouView set-top box - which ordinarily retails at £299 - a host of channels, including 69 not available on BT TV, and seven-day catch-up services.
With a YouView box, viewers are able to pause, rewind and record live television.
Plus TV subscribers can also access TalkTalk's on-demand catalogue, which includes more than 4,000 TV shows and films.
Subscribers have the option of upgrading their deal to include premium TV content such as Sky Sports and Sky Movies.
UPC launches new TV and broadband package to rival eircom
UPC announced today it will be launching a new budget range of digital TV, broadband and phone services in Ireland.
On the same day as eircom announced its entry into the television market, UPC launched its new triple and dual play 'Basics Collection'.
UPC’s Basics 3-Play Pack has over 50 digital TV channels, including the BBC and ITV channels, Sky One, Sky News and Channel 4, with unlimited 50Mb broadband and home phone for just €60 per month.
Dual play customers also have new products with a 50Mb broadband and phone with unlimited downloads being introduced for €30 per month, and the introduction of a new TV and phone service for €36.
Mark Coan, sales & marketing vice-president of UPC Ireland said: "UPC is the market leader, we’re constantly setting new standards and today is no exception.
"The launch of our Basics Collection maintains our position as the value leader in the Irish marketplace and extends our product range to consumers we didn’t reach before."
Sony Preparing Broadband Multichannel TV Service
Sony is set to unveil its own multichannel TV service at next week's Consumer Electronics Show, in a bid to compete with Microsoft and Samsung in the streaming video business.
According to a report on Variety, the 'conglom' will aim to offer a service similar to that of US cable operators, with a package deal consisting of a number of live TV channels served directly to networked devices using a broadband connection. Sony declined to comment on the story.
Sony is in "active negotiations with at least two major content companies" to license their channels for the service, with plans to rollout a package for consumers in the US later this year. Of course, Sony itself has its own temple of content riches, with the conglomerate owning movie studios and various other video streaming services such as Crackle.
The networked, broadband-only approach allows Sony to access a broader number of potential subscribers, and also means that content can be beamed to devices such as the PlayStation 3 and Xperia smartphones via the PlayStation Network.
Recently, Sony reached a deal with Epix for PSN which allows for a large library of relatively new movies (such as The Avengers, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and The Hunger Games) to be played on PlayStation 3. Ensuring such content can be accessed on this new service would benefit Sony greatly.
Microsoft has already made a move into the TV market via its Xbox 360 console, with Xbox Live offering a number of streaming apps from a variety of different content providers.
According to a report on Variety, the 'conglom' will aim to offer a service similar to that of US cable operators, with a package deal consisting of a number of live TV channels served directly to networked devices using a broadband connection. Sony declined to comment on the story.
Sony is in "active negotiations with at least two major content companies" to license their channels for the service, with plans to rollout a package for consumers in the US later this year. Of course, Sony itself has its own temple of content riches, with the conglomerate owning movie studios and various other video streaming services such as Crackle.
The networked, broadband-only approach allows Sony to access a broader number of potential subscribers, and also means that content can be beamed to devices such as the PlayStation 3 and Xperia smartphones via the PlayStation Network.
Recently, Sony reached a deal with Epix for PSN which allows for a large library of relatively new movies (such as The Avengers, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and The Hunger Games) to be played on PlayStation 3. Ensuring such content can be accessed on this new service would benefit Sony greatly.
Microsoft has already made a move into the TV market via its Xbox 360 console, with Xbox Live offering a number of streaming apps from a variety of different content providers.
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