Technology News: Television

Rumored Deals Could Give New Meaning to 'Apple TV'
November 03, 2009

Apple reportedly is eyeing a new service to be launched as part of its iTunes ecosystem: a TV subscription service with a fee of $30 per month. While the site already has numerous TV series episodes and seasons for rent or purchase, this service would represent a different go-to-market strategy for Apple. The service would be similar to cable TV offers but delivered through iTunes.

Epix Launches One-Two Punch With TV-Web Movie Channel
October 30, 2009

It's enough of a challenge to launch a new subscription movie channel in an industry segment dominated by the likes of HBO and Showtime. However, Epix, which begins life Friday, starts its adventure with a double feature of sorts: It will also offer a Web streaming version of its channel.

Microsoft a Little Slow on the Uptake in 'Family Guy' Brouhaha
October 28, 2009

Fans of "Family Guy" are chortling about Microsoft's belated discovery that a "Family Guy" special might not jibe with the software giant's corporate image. On Monday, Microsoft said it's pulling out as sponsor of a "Family Guy" variety show, just two weeks after announcing its sole sponsorship of the special, "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show," scheduled to air Nov. 8.

Online Commercials: New Life for an Old Model?
October 26, 2009

It's no secret: We just don't watch TV commercials like we used to. We change channels, or, if we're watching a DVR-recorded show, we skip over them entirely. Like everything else, commercials are migrating online. This brave new world of online commercials sometimes resembles the old TV model, but it has its own set of challenges and possibilities.

Putting a Price on Historic Footage
October 16, 2009

The following column is brought to you by nostalgia -- the unique kind experienced only by unrepentant newsies approaching a half-century of existence. But have no fear; technology plays a key supporting role, as always. A slow weeknight evening shift at a regional cable TV network prompts some wide-ranging Internet exploration between newscasts.

The Hybridization of the Set-Top Box
October 13, 2009

The market for set-top boxes in Europe has received a major boost from the transition to digital services. Right now, terrestrial television is still a major source of video for viewers in some of the larger Western European markets, including France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom Almost 44 percent of the television viewers in these markets relies on terrestrial services.

Qualcomm's FLO TV Gets a Handheld All Its Own
October 07, 2009

A society that is becoming more mobile yet more media-centric now has one more possible distraction to look forward to, thanks to a Wednesday announcement from FLO TV, the Qualcomm subsidiary specializing in live video you can take with you. The new FLO TV Personal Television sports a 3.5-inch diagonal screen and a touchscreen interface.

Big Asian Brands Gear Up for 3-D TV Rush
October 07, 2009

Japan's big-name electronic manufacturers are readying flat-screen TVs that can show high-definition movies and video games in 3-D for launch next year. At the country's biggest consumer electronics show, which opened Tuesday just outside of Tokyo, all the major makers had large 3-D prototypes on display.

Comcast's Bid for the Future of TV
October 03, 2009

Years ago, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was asked at a conference what kept him awake at night. His answer: A new technology that would severely hurt the cable TV business. His fears haven't come to fruition yet. However, the growing popularity of watching shows, movies and other content streamed over the Internet or over cellphone networks make the cable pipe less important for video than it ever has been.

Comcast Mulls Stake in Ailing NBC
October 02, 2009

Comcast might spend billions for a stake in NBC Universal, a deal that would transform the nation's largest cable TV provider into one of the most prominent owners of TV shows, movies and other programming as well. General Electric, which owns 80 percent of NBC Universal, reportedly has been in talks with Comcast to unload part of the entertainment unit.

Intel Wants to Put the Internet Inside Your TV
September 25, 2009

The dream of taking Internet TV to an actual TV seems a no-brainer to consumers: a screen's a screen, and a monitor's just another screen, after all. However, there's more to the technology than meets the eye or fits the couch potato's view. Even so, Intel made a huge step toward plugging the Internet TV play on Thursday when it unveiled its 45nm System-on-Chip for Internet TV.

Cablevision Cozies Up to Interactive TV Advertising
September 16, 2009

Cablevision Systems is bringing interactive banner ads to television, allowing viewers to order samples and brochures and even purchase products by clicking the remote on their TV sets. Banner ads will run at the bottom of select TV commercials, in collaboration with at least half a dozen consumer brand advertisers.

The Journey From Social Networking to Visual Networking
September 15, 2009

The growing popularity of online video has become the tipping point for advanced CE in the home. Consumer interest and demand for this content -- from user-generated videos of stealthy cats to streams of classic 1980s shows like "Airwolf" -- have prompted service providers and CE manufacturers to expand outward on the possibilities once video is tied and intertwined with other signals coming into the home.

Must-Tweet TV: Television Gets Into the Social Media Mix
August 31, 2009

You can look at it as the beginnings of real interactive television -- or simply one big episode of the cult comedy TV series "Mystery Science Theater 3000" brought to life. In any event, thanks to forthcoming plans from IBM and Fox, viewers will soon be able to talk back to their flat-screen televisions via social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

DirecTV to Bring a Dozen Cable Networks Online
August 28, 2009

DirecTV Group is in talks with the TBS and TNT cable networks to offer their shows online, according to two people familiar with the discussions. If a deal is reached, DirecTV subscribers would be able to watch shows from those cable networks on the Internet, the people said on condition of anonymity because the talks still are ongoing.

How Internet TV Gear Can Stay in the Picture
August 28, 2009

Blockbuster and Samsung recently announced that Blockbuster OnDemand will be available on select connected HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems starting in the fall of 2009. Samsung will offer connected Blu-ray players and home theater systems with both the Netflix and Blockbuster online services.