Disney

ABC is seeking partners to more widely distribute its online programming, signaling a change in its go-it-alone strategy. The network is in talks with several web sites, including AOL, Comcast, MSN, and MySpace. ABC isn’t opening up completely, however. It is insisting that all partners use its own video player, to ensure that viewers have Continue Reading →

THE MAJOR NETWORKS are embracing online video more than ever to help launch their new fall lineups. NBC is out in front with the most aggressive move: offering full downloads of season premieres via Amazon.com and the iTunes Store. The episodes will also be available through VOD on almost 30 cable and satellite systems, and Continue Reading →

 CABLELABS has approved a new technical standard for IP video, in conjunction with major movie studios and consumer-electronics makers. It brings together Paramount, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Hitachi, Intel, Panasonic, and Toshiba. The specification will allow set-top boxes and other devices to transfer cable signals throughout home networks, and should spur growth Continue Reading →

ADOBE will add support for the H.264 standard to its Flash video player. An announcement is expected today, with a beta version of the upgraded software available for download immediately. Flash is installed on 98% of computers, and is favored by YouTube and other video-sharing sites. The move should help boost the quality of Internet Continue Reading →

GOOGLE is reportedly courting wireless operators to carry handsets customized for Google products. The search leader has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the cellphone project and developed prototype phones. The phones are said to feature all Google mobile applications and a sophisticated new web browser. The company is not seeking an exclusive provider, Continue Reading →

REVVER will begin testing a new ad model. The site currently offers a clickable billboard at the end of videos. However, this month it will experiment with pre- and post-roll video ads for the first time. As with the billboard model, content creators will share ad revenue 50/50 with Revver. CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS has revamped the Continue Reading →

FCC CHAIRMAN KEVIN MARTIN is proposing open access requirements for a 22 MHz block of the 700 MHz spectrum. In an interview on Tuesday, Martin pushed for a “truly open broadband network” available to any device and any application. He said that the current standard of bundling cellphone service with specific devices hinders innovation and Continue Reading →

WARNER BROS. will begin a trial-run of releasing movies to VOD and DVD on the same day. The experiment begins on July 10th with “The Astronaut Farmer,” which underperformed at the box office. YOUTUBE will soon begin testing home-grown video fingerprinting to identify copyrighted material. Content owners of identified clips will have the option of Continue Reading →

The DOLAN FAMILY privatization bid for CABLEVISION has been accepted by the board, but still must pass a shareholder vote. A “majority of the minority” must approve the deal. BRIGHTCOVE will syndicate CBS NEWS content across blogs and websites. Syndicates will be allowed to insert clips from CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, The Early Continue Reading →

“On the money, direct, to the point, Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair Disney Media Networks, President Disney-ABC Television Group flawlessly delivered a “let’s do it together” speech at Broadcasting & Cable’s ‘New Distribution Pipelines: Turning TV Content into Revenue’ keynote. What will we do together? Absolutely everything to do with alternative distribution of network content. How? Don’t Continue Reading →