| This week's sponsor is Overture. |  | eBook: Finding New Gold in Copper This eBook from FierceTelecom will explore the ever-changing dynamics of service providers' copper networks and how they are using these new technologies to deliver a wider set of services to consumers and businesses. Download for free today. |
Today's Top Stories
1. Cablevision develops 'virtual communal television viewing' technology
2. Google details construction schedule for Google Fiber TV deployment
3. NBCU chief Burke wants to hike station retrans and cable network license fees
4. Comcast expands WiFi network in New England
5. TWC bundles improved broadband speeds with year of free TV Also Noted: Acme Packet
Spotlight On... Comcast hypes multiscreen access to fall TV premieres
Comcast touts Internet Essentials in Michigan; Cable execs to speak at Goldman Sachs conference and much more... On the Hot Seat:
 Willner: Pay-TV distributors will let subscribers transfer programming from DVRs to tablets, smartphones
Former Insight Communications CEO Michael Willner says he expects major pay TV distributors to begin offering products later this year which will allow subscribers to transfer programs stored on a DVR to tablet computers and smartphones. Willner, who with Insight co-founder Sidney Knafel recently bought a controlling stake in IP video software developer Penthera Partners, talks with FierceCable about Penthera's strategy and moves he expects cable operators to make in offering subscribers advanced mobile video products. Read more ...  Follow @FierceCable on Twitter!
News From the Fierce Network:
1. Netflix exec rails against Canada's broadband caps; Gillette Stadium wired with WiFi
2. Level 3 brings Vyvx broadcast services to Latin America
3. Apple iPhone 5 pre-orders exhaust supply in 1 hour, indicate crush of demand
| This week's sponsor is Qualcomm. |  | Webinar: The 1000x challenge; More Spectrum - How, how much and from where?
Tuesday, September 18th, 12pm ET / 9am PT In our quest for solutions to the 1000x mobile data challenge, the next stop is to explore options for more spectrum. Join us to understand where you can get more of it, at which bands and what innovative methods are needed to unlock it. Register Today! |
| Sponsor: SCTE Cable-Tec FierceLive! Webinars > Implementing Connected Solutions: M2M and the Connected Life - Wednesday, September 19, 11am ET / 8am PT
> The 1000x challenge; More Spectrum - How, how much and from where? - Tuesday, September 18th, 12pm ET / 9am PT
> Telco-OTT: the Good, the Fast and the Nimble - Thursday, September 27, 11am ET / 8am PT
Events > Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 - An Operator- Reviewed Awards Program From the Publishers of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom, FierceCable
> Video World Conference & Expo 2012 - October 3-5 - Austin, TX
> TVNEXT - October 10-11 - Santa Clara, CA
> CTAM Summit & CTAM Insights Conferences - October 14-16 - Orlando, FL
> Content and Communications World (CCW) - November 14-15 - New York, NY
Marketplace > Research: LTE: a real disruptive technology and business opportunity?
> Whitepaper: Online Video Publishing Buying Tips
> Whitepaper: How to Master the Art of Content Marketing
> Whitepaper: Leveraging Website Marketing: Top 10 Website Solution Capabilities
> EBook: Unified Communications, Where it is, Where it's Going
> Whitepaper: Improving Content Publishing Workflow Efficiency for Multi-Device Delivery
> Whitepaper: Case Study: 4G Operator Maximizes Revenue with Flexibile, and Discovery-driven Audit Capabilities
> Whitepaper: Rethink IP/Optical Core Management
> EBook: The New Data Center
> EBook: Finding New Gold in Copper
> Whitepaper: Kabel Deutschland Uses Lavastorm Analytics' Flexibility to Optimize Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management Processes
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* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Cablevision develops 'virtual communal television viewing' technology
Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) is developing social TV technology that could allow subscribers to talk to each other via voice or video chats while watching programming, according to a recent patent application. "The system enables a viewer to find friends, or other like-minded viewers not acquainted with the viewer, for virtual communal viewing parties," Cablevision states in the patent application, which is titled "Virtual Communal Television Viewing." Cablevision, which was one of the first cable operators to deliver interactive programming and advertising to subscribers, describes how subscribers would be able to access the social TV platform via multiple devices, including cable set-tops, gaming consoles, smartphones and tablet computers. The MSO details how subscribers donning headsets may be able to chat with each other by relying on Bluetooth and WiFi technology. The patent also explains how subscribers may be able to invite friends and neighbors to join them in virtual viewing parties. "The users may watch television content as a virtual group in the social networking system. Each user may watch television content in the user's own home, while simultaneously communicating with other users via voice and/or video conference/chat. This virtual communal television watching and discussion session is called a viewing party," Cablevision writes in the patent application, which was published Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Cablevision may be able to use the communal viewing parties to drive increased ad revenue. The MSO notes in the patent application that bar owners may be able to target ads to subscribers that create viewing parties. "The tavern may specifically want to target adult users of viewing parties formed in the evening... Advertisements from the tavern may induce the virtual viewing party to meet in person at the tavern," Cablevision writes. Cablevision SVP of strategic product advancement Jonathan Greenfield is named as the inventor on the patent application. Last month, Cablevision CEO Jim Dolan said the company had identified 18 new products and customer initiatives that it was focused on implementing. It's not clear if the communal viewing product is one of those initiatives that Dolan has prioritized. Officials at Cablevision didn't respond to a request for comment on Friday. Cablevision rivals Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) may also be developing social TV applications, according to recent patent filings. Related articles:
Cablevision will deploy Onyx guide in Q4, and offer WiFi service on trains
Verizon details social TV, voice recognition and next-gen guide in patent applications
Comcast looks at integrating social TV elements to mobile apps Read more about: patent, Comcast
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| This week's sponsor is SCTE Cable-Tec. |  | SCTE Cable-Tec Expo®2012 - Oct. 17-19, Orlando, FL
The industry's engineering show of the year. Discover and learn first-hand about the latest in cable technology, products and services in one cost-effective setting.
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2. Google details construction schedule for Google Fiber TV deployment
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) released the construction schedule for its Google Fiber TV rollout in the Kansas City area on Thursday, and said it may flip the switch in one neighborhood as early as next month. The Hanover Heights neighborhood in Kansas City, Kan., will receive the 1 Gbps wideband Internet service and cable programming package in the next few weeks. Google said it will initially connect 180 neighorhoods to its fiber-to-the-home network, and it will light up the service in areas that generated the most pre-registrations first. Google plans to construct its network on the Kansas side of the market first, and will begin building the network on the Missouri side in the spring. "It's important to note that our construction schedule isn't set in stone--many factors, such as a harsh winter, may affect timing," Google Access General Manager Kevin Lo wrote in a blog post Thursday. The Internet giant announced earlier this week that it struck new licensing deals with cable programmers for the Google Fiber TV product. The package now includes Disney's (NYSE: DIS) ABC Family, ABC News Now, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU and SoapNet. It also added Longhorn Network, Ovation, TBN, TBN Enlace and Velocity. For more:
- see the Google blog post Related articles:
Time Warner Cable CFO doubts Google Fiber TV will expand outside Kansas City
Google fiber edging device could help it rapidly connect homes in Kansas City to 1-Gig network
Google Fiber pre-registrations crack 30% penetration in 6 Kansas City neighborhoods
Google Fiber TV to charge $120 monthly for 1 GB Internet connection and hundreds of HD networks Read more about: Disney
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3. NBCU chief Burke wants to hike station retrans and cable network license fees
4. Comcast expands WiFi network in New England
Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) said it has expanded its WiFi network to parts of eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, where it recently installed 2,500 WiFi access points. The MSO's cable modem subscribers can access the WiFi hotspots for free. Comcast said it focused on installing the WiFi gear in high traffic areas, with the highest density of hotspots located in Boston, Cambridge and Brookline, Mass. "The locations were selected based on areas where we know customers spend time working, commuting, shopping and dining," Comcast spokesman Marc Goodman told The Patriot Ledger. Comcast is also teaming up with Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), Cablevision (NYSE: CVC), Bright House Networks and Cox Communications on a WiFi sharing agreement. In May, the companies announced that their subscribers would be able to access 50,000 WiFi hotspots nationwide that will use the CableWiFi network ID. For more:
- The Patriot Ledger has this story Related articles:
Time Warner Cable floods Charlotte with Ruckus WiFi gear for DNC
Comcast pitches phone subs free WiFi calling
Cable giants join forces on wireless roaming with CableWiFi Read more about: Comcast
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5. TWC bundles improved broadband speeds with year of free TV
Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) is offering a year of free TV as an incentive for subscribers who jack up their broadband speeds to--believe it or not--improve their Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) performance. The offer is included in a mailer being sent to Internet-only customers who, it seems likely, are also Netflix customers, according to a story in GigaOM. TWC has been among the industry's front companies in pushing broadband as a service while simultaneously conceding that not every subscriber wants every TV channel. The MSO has developed limited programming packages--and conversely loaded content packages--to appeal to a wider range of subscribers, so the apparent concession that Netflix can be better accessed at higher broadband speeds is not a total surprise. What is somewhat surprising is the year of free TV, which seems to say that TWC is still in the fight to bring these video subscribers back into their TV fold and also indicates that the MSO hasn't yet given up on what has traditionally been a cable industry cash cow. The GigaOM story gave TWC credit for acknowledging the base of cord cutters among its own subscribers and trying to do something about them. "For these cord cutters, an ad like this may actually be a smart thing: Instead of making them feel like they're subscribing to an expensive TV bundle, Time Warner Cable is putting the emphasis squarely on Netflix, a service Internet-only users likely already enjoy," the article noted. Of course, there is a limit to how far any MSO will go, and Time Warner Cable's limit apparently is reached when it comes to including Netflix in the subscription package. Whether that changes or not--and the chances of that change still seem very remote--depends on whether the two sides can get together and make nice. The GigaOM story cited a Reuters report in March that said Netflix could perhaps become another pay TV service like HBO--and even more importantly, that this service would be welcomed by cable operators. "It's not in the short term, but it's in the natural direction for us in the long term," Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said at the time. "Many (cable service providers) would like to have a competitor to HBO, and they would bid us off of HBO." Since then, of course, HBO and Netflix have ratcheted up their own competition a notch in Europe, where HBO launched an online service ahead of Netflix's market entry. That, though, still appears to be in the long term. Short term, Time Warner Cable is taking its first steps to acknowledge that some subscribers might not want a TV package--then taking a step in the direction of convincing them otherwise. For more:
- GigaOm has this story
- and Reuters reported on this in March Related articles:
Time Warner Cable moving to all-IP 'over some number of years,' CEO Britt says
Time Warner Cable to support HBO on Roku, Xbox and Samsung TVs
HBO pushes into Northern Europe ahead of Netflix; sparks fly Read more about: Netflix
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Also Noted | This week's sponsor is Acme Packet. | 
| Webinar: Telco-OTT: the Good, the Fast and the Nimble
Thursday, September 27, 11am ET / 8am PT
Service providers have been in a perennial battle with "over-the-top" internet vendors who leverage bandwidth but often do not play by the same regulatory or financial rules. Does it need to be a battle of us vs. them? Register Today! |
SPOTLIGHT ON... Comcast hypes multiscreen access to fall TV premieres Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is stepping up efforts to market its multiplatform programming options, announcing Friday that subscribers would be able to access premieres of new TV series on TVs, PCs and mobile devices. The MSO also created a website that features an interactive premiere schedule. "This season, we're offering customers even more hit TV shows, a deeper library of episodes and new ways to watch and navigate thousands of episodes across screens," Comcast VP of video services Maggie McLean Suniewick said in a statement. Read more Cable industry news from across the web: > Comcast launched the second year of availability for its Internet Essentials program for low-income homes at an event in River Rouge, Mich. News release > Time Warner Cable said COO Rob Marcus will speak at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference on Sept. 19. News release > Liberty Interactive said CEO Greg Maffei will speak at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference on Sept. 20. News release > The Walter Kaitz Foundation awarded its Diversity Advocate Award to Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Anna Maria Chavez. News release And finally... Viacom said that Nickelodeon chief marketing officer Pam Kaufman will ring the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square today. She will be joined by the Teenage Mutant Nina Turtles in an effort to promote the Sept. 29 release of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. News release > Implementing Connected Solutions: M2M and the Connected Life - Wednesday, September 19, 11am ET / 8am PT Within the next decade, billions of new Connected Life and M2M devices will be connected to mobile networks, providing consumers and businesses with an expanding array of applications, services and experiences. This webinar will provide a practical, in-depth look at how businesses today are realizing the opportunity presented by M2M and the Connected Life. Register Today! > The 1000x challenge; More Spectrum - How, how much and from where? - Tuesday, September 18th, 12pm ET / 9am PT In our quest for solutions to the 1000x mobile data challenge, the next stop is to explore options for more spectrum. Join us to understand where you can get more of it, at which bands and what innovative methods are needed to unlock it. Register Today! > Telco-OTT: the Good, the Fast and the Nimble - Thursday, September 27, 11am ET / 8am PT Service providers have been in a perennial battle with "over-the-top" internet vendors who leverage bandwidth but often do not play by the same regulatory or financial rules. Does it need to be a battle of us vs. them? Register Today!
| > Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 - An Operator- Reviewed Awards Program From the Publishers of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom, FierceCable This program is designed to recognize the innovative companies and products that are defining the future of the broadband communications industry. Submissions will be judged based on effective application of and performance in networks, innovative approach, and contribution to revenue & profitability. Submit your application today! > Video World Conference & Expo 2012 - October 3-5 - Austin, TX The first-of-its-kind event focuses on the identification of opportunities, creation of strategies and monetization of new & enhanced video products for business & consumers. We’ve assembled the best & brightest industry minds to provide attendees the knowledge to boost their video IQ. Register now. > TVNEXT - October 10-11 - Santa Clara, CA Social TV, TV Apps, Cloud TV, Broadband TV, and more... It's all part of the re-imagining of TV happening only at the 6th annual TVNEXT in October. Hear from over 50 top-notch speakers and networks with hundreds of the "who's-who" in the TV and entertainment industry. Learn more! > CTAM Summit & CTAM Insights Conferences - October 14-16 - Orlando, FL Discover what consumers crave with speakers from Trendrr, Zoove & Hill Holliday. Additional Speakers: Deepak Chopra, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and NBC’s David Gregory. Additional Topics: Second Screen TV apps, Mobile Marketing and Amazing Sensory Research Tools. Register for one conference and access both! Register Today and bring a colleague at $595 Guest Rate! > Content and Communications World (CCW) - November 14-15 - New York, NY Thousands of attendees and exhibitors alike participate in the ever-changing conversation surrounding content creation, management and distribution/delivery. Join them! Register today with VIP Code CCEY8 to receive your free pass!
| > Research: LTE: a real disruptive technology and business opportunity? WiTech's latest Report "LTE: a disruptive technology and business opportunity" presents an in-depth analysis about the promising technology LTE by taking into account not only technology aspects but also business aspects. It points out the key drivers that are continuously changing the Telecom Market. Download this report today! > Whitepaper: Online Video Publishing Buying Tips Technology in the online video publishing industry is changing quickly and figuring out which features you need and don't need can be challenging. Help your solution grow by reading this checklist of the top 10 things you must consider before buying an online video platform. Download now. > Whitepaper: How to Master the Art of Content Marketing "How to Master the Art of Content Marketing" discusses how to create a sustainable content marketing program with the flexibility to adjust to changing market dynamics. Gain the keys to excite audiences and drive business results. Download Now. > Whitepaper: Leveraging Website Marketing: Top 10 Website Solution Capabilities In this report you will learn how today's WCM platforms are fusing the best marketing automation practices with content management, allowing marketers to leverage content in new and innovative ways. Discover 10 of the top capabilities you should be considering for your website. Download Now. > EBook: Unified Communications, Where it is, Where it's Going This eBook from FierceEnterpriseCommunications will provide an update on the various facets of Unified Communications, look at how premise-based versus hosted solutions measure up, and include a look at what's expected to come down the road. Download for free today! > Whitepaper: Improving Content Publishing Workflow Efficiency for Multi-Device Delivery Discover how choosing a solution to provide multi-screen delivery of your content can have a major impact on the efficiency of your publishing workflow and bottom line. Download Now. > Whitepaper: Case Study: 4G Operator Maximizes Revenue with Flexibile, and Discovery-driven Audit Capabilities A US 4G operator was perfectly suited to handle the predicted annual doubling of global mobile data traffic. But as the company faced exponential subscriber and network usage growth, they realized they needed to better monitor that usage. Learn how this US 4G operator realized 13x ROI for its retail business in the first six months. Download Today! > Whitepaper: Rethink IP/Optical Core Management Are You Ready to Rethink Your Network With the Alcatel-Lucent 1830 Photonic Service Switch? It's time to integrate the IP and optical layers of your network infrastructure and ensure optimal efficiency. Learn more about how you can rethink IP/Optical core management by downloading our whitepaper. > EBook: The New Data Center In this FierceTelecom eBook we'll discuss the strategies service providers are taking to build a sustainable and profitable data center business. To read more click here to download. > EBook: Finding New Gold in Copper This eBook from FierceTelecom will explore the ever-changing dynamics of service providers' copper networks and how they are using these new technologies to deliver a wider set of services to consumers and businesses. Download for free today. > Whitepaper: Kabel Deutschland Uses Lavastorm Analytics' Flexibility to Optimize Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management Processes Learn how Kabel Deutschland achieved quantifiable ROI in less than one year, accelerated detection of fraudulent activity by more than 2000 percent, and improved customer satisfaction. Download this case study today. | |
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