| This week's sponsor is SeaChange International. |  |
Today's Top Stories
1. Cablevision, AMC accuse Dish Network of pushing for mistrial in Voom battle
2. EchoStar redesigns Slingbox set-tops
3. Time Warner Cable sees backlash from $4 modem fees
4. Hillcrest, Ozmo powering WiFi, motion-sensing remote controls
5. Viacom agrees to give Nickelodeon programming to Hulu Plus Editor's Corner:  A look at advanced guides from Cablevision, DirecTV, AT&T, and the future of channel surfing Also Noted: IBM
Spotlight On... Liberty Cablevision launches beIN SPORT
Charter sets $200 activation fee for wideband service; ESPN expands into cruise business and much more...  Follow @FierceCable on Twitter!
News From the Fierce Network:
1. YouTube might let partners charge subscriptions; online interface puts users face-to-face with bankers
2. tw telecom expands fiber network into Kansas City area
3. Google reportedly faces broader probe over use of Motorola patents
| This week's sponsor is EXFO. | 
| Webinar: Carrier Ethernet woes? Improve operational efficiency and network visibility
Wednesday, October 10, 11am ET / 8am PT / 3pm GMT
This webinar introduces a centralized Ethernet service activation and monitoring solution that enables network operators to deploy cost-effectively, accelerate time to revenue and boost operational efficiency, while optimizing subscriber experience. Register Today! |
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A look at advanced guides from Cablevision, DirecTV, AT&T, and the future of channel surfing
It's already been a big month for advancements in interactive program guides, with the debut of AT&T's voice activated U-verse remote control and the rollout of Cablevision's cloud-based Optimum Program Guide in Long Island. DirecTV may raise the bar this week with the launch of Genie, a DVR that recommends TV shows and movies to subscribers based on their viewing habits. For years, cable operators and satellite TV providers focused on the quality of HD video or the pricing of their programming packages to win subscribers. With viewers finding it difficult to sort through thousands of live and video-on-demand programming choices, we're beginning to see more multichannel providers tout advanced program guides as a competitive differentiator. The latest IPGs integrate recommendation engines that suggest titles to viewers based on their viewing habits and recommendations from friends, and can respond to voice or gesture controls. Cablevision has come a long way since the 1980s, when it didn't offer subscribers remote controls. I grew up in Northern New Jersey, and my family subscribed to Cablevision. Instead of using a remote control, we had to press buttons on the clunky Jerrold cable box that was connected to a converter behind the TV in order to change channels. There was no interactive program guide available to search for TV shows and movies. The only way to find out what was on TV was to check out Cablevision's channel 14, which displayed a passive, scrolling guide of listings. Or you could pick up a newspaper. Today, Cablevision, like most major pay TV providers, offers subscribers apps for smartphones and tablets such as Apple's iPad that subscribers can use to channel surf. The Optimum Program Guide that Cablevision began rolling out last week uses an interface that is similar to guides that it has developed for mobile devices, PCs and Macs. It lets subscribers store their favorite VOD programs in an archive, and rate TV shows. It also recommends titles to subscribers who can browse 30 days of TV listings that are stored on cloud-based servers. Continue... Read more about: Microsoft, Cablevision, Ipg, Verizon
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| Sponsor: Ciena and Fujitsu FierceLive! Webinars > Mobile Acceleration for the Mobile Revolution - Tuesday, November 13th, 2pm ET / 11am PT
> Carrier Ethernet woes? Here's an economical approach to improving operational efficiency and network visibility - Wednesday, October 10, 11am ET / 8am PT / 3pm GMT
> The 1000x challenge; Small cells everywhere! - Wednesday, October 17, 12pm ET / 9am PT
Events > Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 - An Operator- Reviewed Awards Program From the Publishers of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom, FierceCable
> CTAM Summit & CTAM Insights Conferences - October 14-16 - Orlando, FL
> A new conference for a new world - TM Forum's Management World Americas 2012 - Orlando, FL - December 3-6
Marketplace > Research: LTE: a real disruptive technology and business opportunity?
> Whitepaper: Rethink IP/Optical Core Management
> EBook: Finding New Gold in Copper
> Whitepaper: Kabel Deutschland Uses Lavastorm Analytics' Flexibility to Optimize Revenue Assurance and Fraud Management Processes
> EBook: Looking Beyong 100G
> Shifting Performance Strategies and Solutions for Mobile and Web Experience
Jobs > Project Manager Job - Middletown, NJ, USA – Yoh
> IT (Telecom) Project Manager Job - Raleigh, NC, USA – Yoh
> Telecom Field Technician Job - Bellevue, WA, USA - Yoh
> Project Administrator II Job - Overland Park, KS, USA – Yoh
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* General ad info: Click here | Today's Top News 1. Cablevision, AMC accuse Dish Network of pushing for mistrial in Voom battle
Attorneys representing Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) and AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) accused Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) Tuesday of attempting to cause a mistrial in their breach-of-contract dispute involving the Voom HD networks by delaying the proceeding.  | | Source: iStock | "Judge [Richard] Lowe was extremely animated in court today, severely criticizing Dish for what he perceived as blatant misconduct and attempts to delay this trial," Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Thomas Claps wrote in a research note. Dish has been resisting turning over documents related to the case, and said that it wanted to appeal an order that it produce what it insists are privileged materials. Claps, who was in the courtroom, said Lowe was "furious" that Dish failed to bring a copy of the documents to an appellate judge, which has delayed the appeal of his ruling. "While a mistrial is a possibility based on current developments, Judge Lowe indicated that he won't let that happen, and won't let Dish continue to delay the case," Claps said. Cablevision and former subsidiary AMC are seeking $2.5 billion in damages from Dish, after the company dropped the Voom HD channels in 2008. Dish dropped AMC Network, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE from its lineup after its carriage deal with AMC Networks expired at the end of June. AMC has warned that the move could reduce its ratings and ad revenue. While Dish founder Charlie Ergen insists that dropping AMC wasn't related to the Voom dispute, Ergen may be able to use the promise of a new carriage deal as an incentive to get AMC and Cablevision to settle the Voom dispute. For more:
- Variety has this story
- Deadline.com has this story Related articles:
Will Dish Network settle Voom dispute with AMC Networks?
Dolan, Sapan testify at opening of Voom trial
AMC Networks loses Dish Network distribution, but renews AT&T U-verse deal Read more about: Cablevision
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| This week's sponsors are Ciena and Fujitsu. |  | eBook: Looking Beyond 100G Driven by a never-ending appetite for bandwidth from businesses and consumers, service providers are in the process of upgrading their backbone and core networks. This eBook discusses the strategies, emerging standards, and technological advancements beyond 100G.
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2. EchoStar redesigns Slingbox set-tops
EchoStar's (Nasdaq: SATS) Sling Media subsidiary unveiled high-definition versions of its Slingbox place-shifting set-tops that allow cable and satellite TV subscribers to access live and recorded programming from DVRs on PCs, tablets and smartphones anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.  | | Top: Slingbox 500 with TV in setup mode; bottom: touting multiscreen capabilities (Screen captures: slingbox.com) | Its Slingbox 500, which will retail for $300 when it goes on sale Oct. 14, contains WiFi and infrared emitters, and will allow viewers to display photos shot on a smartphone on a TV. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) already offers mobile applications that allow its FiOS TV subscribers to display photos stored on Verizon Wireless smartphones on a TV. Instead of a traditional set-top design, the top of the Slingbox 500 features an undulating surface that would make it difficult to stack another box on top of it. That's similar to the strategy Boxee has taken with its Boxee Box. The new Slingbox 350 model can deliver high-definition video in the 1080p format. Sling said it'll sell the box for $180 at retail outlets. EchoStar also supplies corporate sibling Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) with high-definition DVRs that are embedded with Sling's place-shifting technology. The satellite TV provider has used the products to compete with the TV Everywhere services marketed by Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) and other cable rivals. Last year, Time Warner Cable ran a unique promotion on its New York City system in which it offered subscribers who ordered its 50 Mbps wideband Internet service a full rebate if they purchased a Slingbox. Sling faces increased competition from Belkin, which unveiled a $149 place-shifting set-top called "@TV" in June. DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV) also offers its subscribers a place-shifting product called Nomad. For more:
- see the Sling release Related articles:
Belkin challenges EchoStar's Slingbox with place-shifting set-top
Broadcom integrates Sling in set-top chips
Reviewers unimpressed with Sling's Facebook app
DirecTV rolls Nomad place-shifting box
Time Warner Cable using Slingbox to market wideband service Read more about: Slingbox
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3. Time Warner Cable sees backlash from $4 modem fees
4. Hillcrest, Ozmo powering WiFi, motion-sensing remote controls
Look for a new line of remote controls from manufacturers of set-tops, smart TVs and streaming media players early next year that integrate technology from Hillcrest Labs and Ozmo Devices. Hillcrest developed the motion-sensing technology used in devices such as the Nintendo Wii controller, and it has also licensed its MotionEngine to Roku, LG (NYSE: LGL) and other CE manufacturers for remote controls that allow viewers to control on-screen cursors. The company said Wednesday that it is teaming up with Ozmo, and that "multiple companies" are expected to unveil products that use the joint solution in early 2013. The Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off Jan. 8 in Las Vegas, is the likely venue for the unveiling of the new remotes. Rockville, Md.-based Hillcrest has been pitching cable operators its Scoop Pointer device, which is designed to be a replacement for traditional remote controls. For more:
- see the release Commentary: A look at advanced guides from Cablevision, DirecTV, AT&T, and the future of channel surfing Related articles:
Hillcrest Labs replaces Loop remote with Scoop pointer; pitches to cable, satellite providers
Roku licenses Hillcrest's motion-sensing technology
Hillcrest Labs aims remote control at smartphone segment
Hillcrest redesigns Kylo browser Read more about: Ozmo, Wifi
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5. Viacom agrees to give Nickelodeon programming to Hulu Plus
More than two million subscribers will get to see Nickelodeon on their Hulu Plus service thanks to an expanded content partnership between Hulu and Nickelodeon's parent company Viacom (NYSE: VIA). The new expanded relationship means Hulu Plus subscribers can access five recent episodes of current live action and animated series from Nickelodeon starting 21 days after the shows air on television. On top of this, they'll even have a new Nickelodeon destination that features tune-in information and other promotional elements. Also part of the deal is an expansion of Viacom's bilingual network Tr3s, which broadens its selection of youth-focused content. While expanding its programming options, Viacom also continued to make available current and full episodes and clips from "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" on ad-supported Hulu.com and Hulu Plus, as well as programming from BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Spike, TV Land and VH1 on Hulu Plus, the two companies said. Viacom's online content became part of a nasty retransmission fight between the content provider and DirecTV this summer, which resulted in, depending on how you see it, either DirecTV shutting off the channels or Viacom withdrawing them from DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV). Whoever was to blame, the channels first left the satellite provider's lineup, and DirecTV pointed viewers towards Viacom's online content sites. Viacom then took down a lot of that content rather than have DirecTV customers look at it for free. For more:
- Viacom issued this news release Related articles:
Dish reportedly in online talks with Viacom, Univision, Scripps
DirecTV: Viacom spat will sap Q3 subscriber growth
Hulu rolls out new Hulu Plus interface to PlayStation 3 users first Read more about: Hulu, Viacom
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Also Noted  | Webcast: The Benefits of Moving from Open Source to WebSphere Application Server: Forrester Research Discusses its New Total Economic Impact Study
Join us for this complimentary webcast and learn details from a new independent report that shows the total economic impact of migrating from an open source solution to IBM WebSphere Application Server -- including a 44% return on investment (ROI) producing a net value of over $1 million. Register today! |
SPOTLIGHT ON... Liberty Cablevision launches beIN SPORT Liberty Cablevision said it launched new independent network beIN SPORT on its cable systems in Puerto Rico. Liberty is carrying both English and Spanish-language versions of the network, which features soccer games from Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1, South American World Cup Qualifiers and Copa America 2015. beIN SPORT said it will also cover games from the qualifying rounds of the 2014 World Cup. Read more Cable industry news from across the web: > Charter Communications plans to charge subscribers who order its 100 Mbps high-speed Internet service a $200 activation fee. Article > ESPN International is teaming up with Royal Caribbean to sell tickets to a series of ESPNatSEA cruises that will feature former athletes, international cheerleaders and dance teams. News release > Outdoor Channel said it has picked up more than 1 million subscribers through launches on Comcast and RCN cable systems. News release > Time Warner Cable said it'll report third-quarter earnings on Oct. 31. News release And finally … Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios are teaming up to make a feature film based on Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" franchise. The movie is scheduled to debut in November 2015, marking the 65th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip. News release > Mobile Acceleration for the Mobile Revolution - Tuesday, November 13th, 2pm ET / 11am PT A revolution is underway in how companies interact with audiences online. Join us to learn the recent results from Compuware research on mobile performance expectations, unique challenges presented by delivery over cellular networks, and what to consider when balancing mobile performance and usability. Register Today! > Carrier Ethernet woes? Here's an economical approach to improving operational efficiency and network visibility - Wednesday, October 10, 11am ET / 8am PT / 3pm GMT This webinar introduces a centralized Ethernet service activation and monitoring solution that enables network operators to deploy cost-effectively, accelerate time to revenue and boost operational efficiency, while optimizing subscriber experience. Register Today! > The 1000x challenge; Small cells everywhere! - Wednesday, October 17, 12pm ET / 9am PT To solve the 1000x mobile data challenge, we need more small cells, actually, much more, and everywhere - But, isn't interference a limiting factor? How dense can we deploy them? What are the future enhancements that takes HetNets to the next level? Find out the answers at this Qualcomm webinar. 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! > 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! > A new conference for a new world - TM Forum's Management World Americas 2012 - Orlando, FL - December 3-6 TM Forum's Management World Americas 2012 is the only conference that brings together 1500+ professionals from communications and beyond to brainstorm, debate, share and learn everything you need to succeed in the digital world. This 4-day conference features re-imagined, highly interactive conference formats, unique pre-conference workshops, dedicated networking events, official TM Forum Training and Certification, and a central Hub featuring a bustling Expo, Catalyst demonstrations and all of the latest information from TM Forum. The agenda spans five interactive conference Forums covering Digital and M2M Service Enablement, Big Data Analytics, Customer Experience Management, IT and Cloud Agility, Cyber Security, plus a dedicated Cable Summit! Register now!
| > 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: 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: 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. > EBook: Looking Beyong 100G Driven by a never-ending appetite for bandwidth from businesses and consumers, service providers are in the process of upgrading their backbone and core networks. This eBook discusses the strategies, emerging standards, and technological advancements beyond 100G. Click here to download today. > Shifting Performance Strategies and Solutions for Mobile and Web Experience Achieving reliable performance that meets web and mobile user expectations is critical to business success. If your company's web and mobile applications are either poorly designed or poorly implemented, the result can be slow responses or unavailable sites that jeopardize potential transactions and damage your company's brand. Discover ways to drive web and mobile responsiveness and learn which emerging performance-enhancement techniques show the greatest promise in this On-Demand webinar. Download Now.
| > Project Manager Job - Middletown, NJ, USA – Yoh Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Project Manager to join our client in Middletown, NJ. Job Responsibilities include tracking contract compliance and performance for incident management as well as providing leadership and working with multiple teams. Weekend and out of hours work is required...Learn more. > IT (Telecom) Project Manager Job - Raleigh, NC, USA – Yoh Yoh has a contract opportunity for an IT (Telecom) Project Manager to join our client in Raleigh, NC. This Raleigh - based IT Project Manager position is responsible for providing project management and team leadership for Telecommunications Projects as part of the Telecom Project Management team. The various types of projects may include merger and integration efforts related to combining the two legacy companies, along with voice services, data networks, circuit provisioning, backhaul networks, microwave systems, and wireless / radio systems...Learn more. > Telecom Field Technician Job - Bellevue, WA, USA - Yoh Yoh has a six month plus (6+) contract opportunity for a Telecom Field Technician to join our client Bellevue, WA. This position will develop proficiency in primary skills of customer relations, basic electricity, basic electronics, basic telephony, radio principles for CDMA and iDEN, and basic principles of digital transmission, fiber communication, data communication, telephony terminology, industry standards, and on-line network control / maintenance systems. Travel is required...Learn more. > Project Administrator II Job - Overland Park, KS, USA – Yoh Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Project Administrator to join our client in Overland Park, KS. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining program / project reports as well as supporting ad-hoc reporting requests of multiple organizations. Bachelor's Degree preferred...Learn more. | |
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