Today's Top Stories Cable operators are "coming out of the woodwork" to ask Roku for help figuring out how to incorporate online video apps into their own traditional service offerings, Steve Shannon, general manager of content and services for Roku, said at BroadbandTVCon in Hollywood Tuesday. Shannon was asked about Netflix's (Nasdaq: NFLX) strategy of seeking distribution through cable operator-leased set-top boxes. "We'd like to see that, actually. It's counterintuitive because, say, people buy our box because of Netflix," Shannon said, adding that when Roku launched, Netflix was the only streaming video app available on the device. "If all you needed was Netflix to compete with us, we would have been dead a long time ago," he said. Cable operators know they "can't just add Netflix and Hulu and be done. They need and ecosystem and and app store environment," which Roku has, he said. Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) has an app on Roku that the cable operator has been very happy with, Shannon said. Overall, cable subscribers make up a big portion of Roku's customer base, he added. One app notably absent from Roku is YouTube. Shannon said the companies are constantly working to try to sort that out. "I'm hopeful, but no guarantees," he said. Related articles:
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Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) announced two new original documentary movies this week, further evidence that its original programming ambitions do not end with serialized TV shows. The company said it bought the rights to the movie "The Square," about the Egyptian revolution. The movie has already picked up several film festival awards and could be a contender for the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Separately, Netflix said "The Short Game," an original documentary about children's golf, will debut online next month. "The Square is documentary filmmaking at the highest level," Lisa Nishimura, Netflix's vice president of original documentary and comedy programming, said in a press release. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but the movie will be available in all Netflix territories in early 2014. The move into documentaries could also give Netflix a way into movie theaters. Last month Netflix's programming chief, Ted Sarandos, upset theater owners when he suggested they were stifling innovation in how movies are distributed by blocking movies from appearing online the same day they hit theaters. For more:
- the Los Angeles Times had this story
- read "The Square" press release here
- read "The Short Game" press release here Related articles:
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Netflix to boost spending on originals, updates 'Long Term View' Read more about: Netflix, Documentaries
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How are pay-TV distributors thinking about online video? Investors got an idea this week as executives at two of the largest distributors fielded questions from stock analysts about their approaches. Charter (Nasdaq: CHTR) took the most active step Tuesday, introducing an iOS app that lets subscribers access 100 live channels inside the home. Charter CEO Tom Rutledge hinted that the app could have a much bigger service area one day. "There are no technical constraints on where the signal can go," Rutledge said, adding that the company may one day sell "subscriptions everywhere." The same day, DirecTV (Nasdaq: DTV) CEO Mike White was asked about reports that his company has been considering introducing an Aereo-like service to reduce the fees it pays to local TV stations. White admitted the company has been looking into alternatives to carrying those signals, such as integrating TV antennas into set-top boxes, but declined to talk specifics about Aereo. "We have done some work this year to see whether from an R&D standpoint we might see additional ideas going forward that could be leveraged," he said, according to a report in Multichannel News. "I don't have anything imminent and I don't think speculating on Aereo makes a lot of sense." For more:
- Multichannel News had this report
- Variety had this report Commentary: The cable industry's Aereo math Related articles:
Aereo reportedly talking to ISPs
Sony said to license Viacom networks for OTT service Read more about: OTT, Charter
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Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) has introduced Helpouts, a paid video advice service. Google said it hopes users will turn to Helpouts for help with homework, housework or general advice on topics like fitness or writing. A promotional video for the new service shows people receiving one-on-one video help with photography, cooking, makeup and music projects. "We're starting and small and in a few categories," Udi Manber, vice president of engineering, wrote on the company's blog. "The number of people giving help on Helpouts and the type of help available will grow over time." Currently available Helpouts range in price from things like a $60 consultation with a doctor to free fashion tips. Those offering help can set their own prices and charge a per-minute fee or a per-session fee. Payment is handled through Google Wallet. Some topics are off limits. Alcohol-related advice such as instructions on how to mix a cocktail or store wine properly are not allowed. Legal and financial services are also off the table "at this time," according to Helpouts policies. For more:
- read Google's blog post here
- Mashable had this report Related articles:
YouTube solicits more subscription partners
YouTube to tweak comments
No overnight success seen for YouTube subscription channels Read more about: Google, GOOG
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One of the promises of online video is the huge amount of data points generated every time someone watches a video. User and usage data can help set strategies and goals, but they won't write scripts or predict what content will take off, industry executives said at BroadbandTVCon in Hollywood Tuesday. "It's not like we're taking this data and saying to our writers 'Hey, you have to hit these five words,'" said Margaret Laney, chief marketing officer for AwesomenessTV. "It's more about understanding, in relative terms, how we can create the best programming possible." Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) has touted how it used user data to develop "House of Cards," but that show would have been produced by another network had Netflix not stepped in, said Jada Miranda, senior vice president of creative for Xbox Entertainment Studios. "'House of Cards' was being shopped around and Netflix stepped up with a huge amount," added Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, senior vice president of multi-platform programming at Fox Networks. "That would have been made and distributed by someone else." Data can be helpful, but it won't predict a hit, said Brent Imai, executive director of original content development at AT&T's (NYSE:T) U-verse. "We definitely look at what our subscriber base looks like and directionally, what are they interested in, but there's no way the data is going to predict the next hit show." Related articles:
Lionsgate's Packer says online video distributors are stingy with viewing data
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Netflix makes its next exclusive bet Read more about: Netflix, fox
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