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2013/01/08

| 01.08.13 | Cablevision partners with Netflix; DirecTV, Dish build next-gen DVRs

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January 8, 2013
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This week's sponsor is Globalstar.

Webinar: Globalstar's New "Wi-Fi" Super Highway
Tuesday, January 22nd, 11:00 am EST/ 8:00 am PST

This webinar will discuss the innovative technology, public benefits, and regulatory outlook of providing a new 22 MHz channel under the existing 802.11 IEEE standard. Join to learn technical aspects of TLPS deployment and the outlook for near-term relief from the FCC. Register Now!

Today's Top Stories
1. Cablevision partners with Netflix to deliver 'super HD' movies and 3D TV shows
2. DirecTV signs Humax to build Genie boxes
3. Dish Network adds Sling capabilities to Hopper DVR
4. Arris builds Gateway for Comcast's Xfinity X1 service
5. Cox to deploy Cisco video gateways and Videoscape Unity platform

Also Noted: Spotlight On... Motorola building FiOS TV media server
ActiveVideo launches CloudTV developer program; Time Warner Cable produces how-to videos and much more...

Show Coverage:
CESLive 2013
As in past years, Fierce will be out in force at this year's CES. Phil Goldstein, Sue Marek and Mike Dano will be on the ground during the show covering all the major news. Stay tuned to this page for complete coverage of this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Read more

Follow @FierceCable on Twitter!

News From the Fierce Network:
1. AT&T to start offering home automation service in March
2. Verizon will broaden its copper-to-fiber conversion in 2013
3. Dish's Ergen still sorting out wireless options, but doesn't want to sell spectrum


This week's sponsor is Aricent.
Openwave

Webinar: Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue
Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT

LTE is the fastest growing communication technology of all time. In this webinar our experts will discuss how Network Equipment Manufacturers can leverage the concept of Self Organizing Networks (SON) to not only manage highly complex LTE networks but also reduce operational expenditures and enhance customer satisfaction. Register Today!



Sponsor: Kontagent

FierceLive! Webinars

> Globalstar's New "Wi-Fi" Super Highway - Tuesday, January 22nd, 11:00am EST/8:00 am PST
> Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue - Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT

Events

> Service Provider Conference at OFC/NFOEC - March 19-21 - Anaheim, CA
> Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 Live Announcement of this Year's Winners - Now Available On-Demand

Jobs

> Field Technician I Job - Portland, OR, USA – Yoh
> FSO Telecom Field Technician I Job - New Orleans, LA, USA – Yoh
> Telecommunications Field Technician Job - Spokane, WA, USA – Yoh
> Telecommunications Project Controls Analyst Job - Bellevue, WA, USA – Yoh

* Post a classified ad: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here

Today's Top News

1. Cablevision partners with Netflix to deliver 'super HD' movies and 3D TV shows

By Steve Donohue Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) said it is partnering with Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) to place storage appliances near its Optimum network, which would allow for the delivery of "super HD" programming and 3D content to Cablevision customers who also subscribe to Netflix.

Cablevision is the first U.S. cable MSO to join the Netflix Open Connect content delivery network, which also includes Mexico's Telmex, Canada's Telus and Virgin Media and British Telecom in the United Kingdom. Netflix says it doesn't charge ISPs in the program fees to receive its online video programming directly at interconnection points.

News of Cablevision joining Netflix Open Connect comes less than one month after Netflix announced that Netflix subscribers who are customers of Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) and Cablevision rival Verizon (NYSE: VZ) see download speeds for Netflix TV shows and movies that are faster than those delivered by Cablevision and other broadband providers.

Verizon's FiOS Internet placed second in Netflix's rankings of the fastest ISPs in December, averaging speeds of 2.19 Mbps in its delivery of Netflix content. Cablevision placed fifth, averaging 2.15 Mbps.

Netflix said its Super HD videos offer a better picture than 1080p high-definition programming, but it didn't detail how many lines of resolution it delivers to ISPs that are part of the Open Connect CDN.

Cablevision CEO Jim Dolan said in a statement that the company would be able to deliver a better experience to its Optimum customers than subscribers of Verizon and AT&T (NYSE: T). "Optimum is committed to providing the highest-quality TV, phone and Internet to our customers, and our new partnership with Netflix supports this critical objective," Dolan said.

Last year, Netflix began pitching cable MSOs the idea of bundling Netflix streaming video subscriptions with pay TV programming packages. But it hasn't yet struck deals with providers to sell Netflix to subscribers.

For more:
- see the release

Related articles:
Comcast won't offer Netflix to Xfinity TV subscribers
Verizon, Comcast, Charter top Netflix rankings of fastest ISPs

Read more about: Netflix, Open Connect
back to top


This week's sponsor is Kontagent.

Whitepaper: 5 Lessons on Driving More Revenue, Loyalty and Lifetime Value to Your Mobile Apps
Learn the five primary lessons that apply to 99% of businesses trying to succeed in the mobile app space.
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2. DirecTV signs Humax to build Genie boxes

By Steve Donohue Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV) said it signed South Korean set-top manufacturer Humax to build a next generation version of its Genie multiroom DVR.

Pace (LSE: PIC.L) has been supplying DirecTV with a home video gateway and thin client set-tops for Genie, which debuted in October. Humax said it won approval to manufacturer a Genie server and client box, and that its Genie gear is undergoing final certification.

Humax said its Genie set-tops will support the RVU protocol, as do Pace's Genie boxes. The RVU protocol allows consumers who buy connected TVs from Samsung and other manufacturers that support RVU to access programming without using a traditional set-top.

Samsung and DirecTV first announced at last year's Consumer Electronics Show that Samsung would build connected TVs that could let DirecTV subscribers view programming without a set-top. The companies announced at CES on Monday that Samsung is building a Genie server for DirecTV that will debut later this year.

"We applaud Samsung for their efforts in developing their RVU TV and set-top box solutions," DirecTV CTO Romulo Pontual said in a prepared statement. "Our mutual customers will be delighted to get the full DirecTV experience on their Samsung TVs without the need for a separate set-top box in that room," he added.

Samsung is also working with Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) on an app that will allow its Xfinity TV subscribers to access cable programing without a set-top.

For more:
- see the Humax release
- Big Picture Big Sound has this story

Related articles:
Samsung to deliver DirecTV programming without set-tops
DirecTV launches Genie, offering new subscribers free multiroom DVR and 'NFL Sunday Ticket'
Humax wins FCC approval for Comcast's XI3 set-top; Epix sets world premiere for 'The Hunger Games'
Humax tests Google Fiber set-top
Comcast to launch Xfinity app on Samsung TVs

Read more about: Genie, CES2013
back to top



3. Dish Network adds Sling capabilities to Hopper DVR

By Steve Donohue Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) launched a new version of its Hopper multiroom DVR which incorporates place-shifting technology from EchoStar's Sling Media subsidiary.

The upgrade, which Dish announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, could let Dish customers access programming stored on a Hopper DVR from anywhere in the world where they are using computers, smartphones or tablets connected to the Internet. The feature helps Dish compete against DirecTV's new Genie multiroom DVR.

Dish also unveiled a new Hopper Transfers app for Apple's iPad at CES which allows subscribers to transfer programming stored on Hopper DVRs to the iPad for offline viewing. Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) announced last month that it would allow subscribers to download series from Showtime and Starz to iOS and Android devices for offline viewing. It is using software from Michael Willner's Penthera Partners for that product.

Dish and EchoStar face increased competition from Belkin, which said last June that it would launch a place-shifting set-top similar to the Sling devices. EchoStar announced on Tuesday that its Sling Media subsidiary had filed patent infringement suits against Belkin and Monsoon Multimedia aimed at stopping the companies from manufacturing products that it alleges violate Sling Media patents.

For more:
- see the EchoStar release
- see the Dish release
- see the Hopper Transfers release

Related articles:
Belkin challenges EchoStar's Slingbox with place-shifting set-top
Dish banks on magic and kangaroos named Hopper and Joey for turnaround
Comcast lets subscribers download Showtime's 'Homeland,' 'Dexter' for offline viewing

Read more about: Hopper
back to top



4. Arris builds Gateway for Comcast's Xfinity X1 service

By Steve Donohue Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Arris (Nasdaq: ARRS) has built a home video gateway that could support Comcast's (Nasdaq: CMCSA) Xfinity X1 service and similar hybrid video products that other cable operators are expected to deploy.

The Arris Media Gateway, which Arris is demonstrating at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,  can transcode 8 QAM channels for delivery to multiple set-tops and IP devices in a home. It can also bond up to 24 DOCSIS downstream channels, and deliver broadband service at nearly 1 gigabit per second, according to Arris. It is based the Comcast Reference Design Kit (RDK) software.

Pace (LSE: PIC.L) has been supplying Comcast with gateway devices for its rollout of Xfinity X1 in Boston, Atlanta and several other markets. Comcast cheered the move by Arris, but didn't detail plans to deploy the Arris gateway.

"We congratulate Arris on the introduction of their new media gateway," Comcast SVP of premises technology Steve Reynolds said in a prepared statement. "This device will work with the millions of IP-enabled consumer devices capable of displaying video and will help operators, consumer electronics companies and developers innovate at an even faster pace in today's rapidly-changing multiscreen TV environment," he added.

For more:
- see the release

Related articles:
Pace licenses RDK set-top design kit from Comcast
Licensing deal could help Comcast deploy X1 on Motorola Mobility set-tops and gateways
Arris to buy Motorola Mobility home division for $2.35B from Google
Comcast: Tech vendor didn't have permission to publicize RDK conference

Read more about: Comcast
back to top



5. Cox to deploy Cisco video gateways and Videoscape Unity platform

By Steve Donohue Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Cox Communications said it plans to deploy home video gateways from Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) that contain 2 TB of storage and six tuners capable of shuttling video to multiple set-tops and IP-connected devices in subscriber homes.

Cisco and Cox also announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday that Cox will use its Videoscape Unity Platform, and an application for Apple's iPad that will allow subscribers to access 90 live TV channels, along with video-on-demand content. The app will also deliver personalized TV recommendations similar to the upgraded version of the Trio interactive program guide that Cox and Cisco unveiled recently.

For more:
- IT World has this story
- see the Cox release
- see the Cisco release

Related articles: 
Cox, Cisco to unveil new 'second screen experience' at CES
Cox COO Jill Campbell details strategy for 'right sizing' cable subscribers
NBC helps Cisco market Videoscape at Summer Olympics

Read more about: Cisco
back to top



Also Noted

SPOTLIGHT ON... Motorola building FiOS TV media server

Motorola Mobility said it will supply Verizon (NYSE: VZ) with a media server for its FiOS TV service that will be able to deliver IP video to up to five separate TVs in a home. But Verizon didn't say when it plans to deploy the device, which contains 1 terabyte of storage space capable of recording 200 hours of high-definition programming. FierceIPTV has more on the product. Read more

Cable industry news from across the web:

> ActiveVideo Networks said it launched a CloudTV Access developer program focused on accelerating the deployment of HTML5 user experiences on connected TVs, set-tops and other CE devices. News release

> Netgear launched a WiFi range extender that can amplify home WiFi networks. News release

> Viamedia named former Vivint executive Chris Black CFO. News release

> About 60 percent of residents in the Kansas City area that live in areas where Google Fiber will be available are interested in the service, according to research firm Ideas & Solutions. News release

And finally …Time Warner Cable produced a series of how-to videos that explain its advanced digital services to subscribers. News release


Webinars


* Post listing: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here.

> Globalstar's New "Wi-Fi" Super Highway - Tuesday, January 22nd, 11:00am EST/8:00 am PST

This webinar will discuss the innovative technology, public benefits, and regulatory outlook of providing a new 22 MHz channel under the existing 802.11 IEEE standard. Join to learn technical aspects of TLPS deployment and the outlook for near-term relief from the FCC. Register Now!

> Capitalizing SON – How to Implement SON for LTE to reduce OPEX and Increase Revenue - Tuesday, January 29th, 11am ET / 8am PT

LTE is the fastest growing communication technology of all time. In this webinar our experts will discuss how Network Equipment Manufacturers can leverage the concept of Self Organizing Networks (SON) to not only manage highly complex LTE networks but also reduce operational expenditures and enhance customer satisfaction. Register Today!



Events


* Post listing: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here.

> Service Provider Conference at OFC/NFOEC - March 19-21 - Anaheim, CA

Hands-on workshops, discussion panels, the Ethernet Alliance program and many more programs to help telecoms evolve their Next Generation fiber networks. Free admission to expo with more than 550 exhibitors. Network with fellow entrepreneurs and experts. Learn More.

> Fierce Innovation Awards 2012 Live Announcement of this Year's Winners - Now Available On-Demand

Please join Jason Nelson, Publisher of FierceWireless, FierceTelecom, and FierceCable as we announce the winners of the Fierce Innovation Awards 2012. Click here to RSVP today.



Jobs


* Post listing: Click here.
* General ad info: Click here.

> Field Technician I Job - Portland, OR, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a contract opportunity for a Field Technician I to join our client in Portland, OR. Responsibilities include developing 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. Two to five (2-5) years of basic microwave experience required...Learn more.

> FSO Telecom Field Technician I Job - New Orleans, LA, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a contract opportunity for a FSO Telecom Field Technician to join our client in Knoxville, TN. Responsibilties include developing 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 required...Learn more.

> Telecommunications Field Technician Job - Spokane, WA, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a six (6) plus month contract opportunity for a Telecommunications Field Technician to join our client in Spokane, WA. This role requires reliable transportation, and successful background, driving record and drug test prior to employment. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. is required...Learn more.

> Telecommunications Project Controls Analyst Job - Bellevue, WA, USA – Yoh

Yoh has a five (5) plus month contract opportunity for a Telecommunications Core Project Controls Analyst to join our client Bellevue, WA. Resonsonibilties include to assist with Core Network Order Fulfillment (CNOF) by working directly with Supply Chain, Warehouse, Shipping and Procurement departments, as well as Ericsson organizations. Candidate must have five (5) plus years of relevant experience...Learn more.

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