| This week's sponsor is Amdocs. |  | Webinar: Is your strategy for small and medium-sized businesses bringing rewards?
Wednesday, December 4th, 11am ET / 8am PT / 4pm GMT Gain insights into where service providers are currently experiencing problems in the sales cycle, with a benchmark for the SMB market by sector, as well as ideas on how to increase efficiency. Register Today! |
Also Noted: Cycle30
Spotlight On... Online video bill faces uphill battle
Comcast Wholesale renews SES contract; Moonves says CBS should be second-highest paid network and much more... Top 10 pay TV distributor apps: Who makes the cut?
 Time Warner Cable's TWC TV app may not be as slick as Contour, the iPad app Cox Communications unveiled in August. But with TWC TV available on more devices than the apps from any multichannel provider, it tops FierceCable's list of the top 10 pay TV provider apps. Click here to read our special report 
Follow @FierceCable on Twitter! News From the Fierce Network:
1. Google Fiber begins lighting up customers in Provo
2. Birch introduces 3 broadband speed tiers for SMBs
3. Consolidated's Childers: We're ready to look at other fiber provider acquisitions
Today's Top News 1. Verizon buys cloud TV tech provider upLynk
Verizon (NYSE: VZ) said Wednesday that it acquired upLynk, the streaming video technology provider that Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) uses to manage video encoding and delivery for TV Everywhere apps such as Watch Disney Channel. The telco said upLynk was acquired by its Verizon Digital Media Services division, which has been pitching content providers services that can be used to deliver live and video-on-demand content to both TVs and mobile devices. "This acquisition provides intelligent, scalable and more flexible ways of streaming video for our customers," Verizon Digital Media Services President Bob Toohey said in a prepared statement. Acquiring Los Angeles-based upLynk could help Verizon grow revenue from programmers that are investing in technology that can be used to deliver video to any screen, including direct-to-consumer distribution. upLynk's adaptive playback technology could also be used by Verizon's Redbox Instant joint venture with Outerwall, and could help Verizon launch a virtual pay TV service. Verizon CFO Fran Shammo said Tuesday that Verizon Media Services, which was formed in 2011, is focused on helping Verizon profit from over-the-top video distribution. "We're playing in the over-the-top arena. We're prepared for it, and we'll react the way we need to," Shammo said at a Wells Fargo conference. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
Shammo: Fewer FiOS subscribers ordering pay TV service
Verizon teams with Origin Digital to launch Verizon Live Events
Verizon's FiOS TV app to launch on Xbox One
Report: Verizon may take control of Intel Media virtual cable business
Verizon trademarks ELLIPSIS for new video, voice, data device and service
Verizon launches Ellipsis 7 tablet, though converged service is still in the offing
Verizon debuts digital media management play Read more about: Verizon, upLynk
back to top |
| This week's sponsors are Ateme, Harris Broadcast, Kontron, Ramp, Vubiquity and PacketVideo Corporation. |  | eBook | Making Money from Multiscreen Cable operators and networks are slowly building a platform that could make multiscreen programming and advertising a much bigger business. Learn more today. |
2. Clearleap closes $20M funding round
Multiscreen video technology firm Clearleap said Wednesday that it raised $20 million in its third round of funding, which was led by Susquehanna Growth Equity and included existing investors Trinity Ventures and Noro-Moseley. Atlanta-based Clearleap, which is run by former Cox Communications executive Braxton Jarratt, has raised $36 million since it was founded in 2008. While Clearleap's investors include both pay TV distributors and programmers, it hasn't sought investments from any industry players. "We have decided to raise money from institutional financial groups. That gives us the most flexibility and the most neutrality as we grow," Jarratt told FierceCable. Last month, iN DEMAND announced that it had signed a contract with Clearleap to help it move to an all-IP, terrestrial platform. Clearleap's customers also include Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), HBO and Scripps Networks Interactive. Jarratt said Clearleap has signed additional deals in recent weeks which the company plans to announce soon. Clearleap will use the funding to expand both domestically and internationally and to "shore up" its sales and marketing operations, he added. "We're winning business, and growing, and expanding," added Jarratt, who said Clearleap now has about 100 employees. For more:
- see the release Commentary: Cloud TV steals show at Cable-Tec Expo Related articles:
iN DEMAND- Clearleap deal builds virtual cable infrastructure for Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable
HBO signs Clearleap to VOD encoding and TV Everywhere authentication deal
Clearleap, LG partner on video delivery to smart TVs without a set-top box Read more about: clearleap
back to top |
3. Dish, Verizon consolidate mobile apps
Dish Network (Nasdaq: DISH) and Verizon's (NYSE: VZ) FiOS TV are reducing the number of smartphone and tablet applications their subscribers need to control set-tops and watch video on mobile devices. Dish said Wednesday that it is adding the functionality of its Hopper Transfers app, which lets subscribers watch DVR recordings on Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad, to its Dish Anywhere app. The new version of Dish Anywhere, which the company said will launch by the end of the year, will also expand the functionality of the Transfers app to the iPhone and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android devices, Dish said. SVP of Product Management Vivek Khemka described the new version of Dish Anywhere as an "overhaul" of the app, and noted in a prepared statement that the move was a response to subscribers "who want an even easier way to fully utilize the capabilities of the Hopper with Sling." While Dish is adding the capabilities of Hopper Transfers to the Dish Anywhere app, the company didn't say if it will eliminate the Hopper Transfer app, which it launched in January. A Dish spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment. Verizon is also combining functions of multiple smartphone and tablet apps for its FiOS TV product with its new FiOS Mobile app. The telco notified subscribers earlier this month that it plans to "retire" its FiOS Mobile Remote app for iOS and Android devices, which it has used to allow subscribers to control FiOS set-tops with a smartphone or tablet. Verizon, which said the functions of FiOS Mobile Remote have been added to the FiOS Mobile app, had previously announced that it would also retire its Verizon Media Manager application. "The new FiOS Mobile application incorporates many of the features of Media Manager and Mobile Remote into a single, unified point of access for all your FiOS entertainment needs," Verizon wrote in the notice to FiOS TV subscribers. For more:
- see the Dish release Related articles:
Verizon shutting down FiOS Media Manager app for PCs, Macs
Dish Anywhere- Top 10 Pay TV Distributor Apps
Dish Network adds Sling capabilities to Hopper DVR
Comcast launching out-of-home streaming with rebranded Xfinity TV Go app Read more about: Dish Network, FiOS TV
back to top |
4. Roku devices will get Disney TV Everywhere apps
Roku owners who also subscribe to certain pay-TV providers will be able to access Disney's (NYSE: DIS) suite of WATCH apps through the streaming video device. Disney's WatchESPN app will be immediately available to Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), Bright House, Verizon's (NYSE: VZ) FiOS TV, Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), Midcontinent Communications, Cablevision (NYSE: CVC), Cox, AT&T's (NYSE:T) U-verse, Charter (Nasdaq: CHTR) and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Fiber subscribers whose pay-TV package includes ESPN. Subscribers of those operators who subscribe to the Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD will be able to access the WATCH apps for those networks later this month. "We are adding value to the multichannel video subscription through this agreement," Matt Murphy, senior vice president of digital distribution for Disney and ESPN Media Networks, said in a press release. For more:
- read the press release Related articles:
Roku executive: Cable operators want Roku's help
Redbox Instant by Verizon arrives on Roku devices
Roku gets $60M from Hearst, Fidelity, others Read more about: AT&T, Comcast
back to top |
5. Weather Channel signs Arris to help it deliver 'future unique content experiences'
Arris (Nasdaq: ARRS) said it struck a deal with The Weather Channel, which will use its integrated receiver decoders and encoders to help it deliver more regionalized data and linear services. Weather said it is upgrading its satellite network with the Arris MPEG-4 SE-6000 encoders and decoders, which it will use to deliver programming to affiliates. While the network said the Arris deal gives it technology that could be used to power "future unique content experiences," it didn't detail what type of additional services or content it may offer. In March, Weather announced a deal with Elemental Technologies to use its Elemental Live video processing system to deliver multiplatform video to subscribers. "We've worked with ARRIS for years and knew they were ideal to help us optimize bandwidth utilization and ready our network for delivery of more personalized services to the consumer," TWC VP of Localization and Broadcast Engineering George Lott said in a prepared statement. For more:
- see the release Related articles:
Elemental scores video processing contract with The Weather Channel
Beta survey finds History is favorite cable network; ESPN draws most multiplatform viewers Read more about: Arris, The Weather Channel
back to top |
Also Noted
SPOTLIGHT ON... Online video bill faces uphill battle In today's spotlight, FierceOnlineVideo editor Josh Wein takes a look at the prospects of the Consumer Choice in Online Video Act, which was introduced by Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday. In addition to facing scrutiny from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, the bill, which is aimed at boosting over-the-top video services, could face opposition from the National Association of Broadcasters. "We think the bill faces an uphill battle to pass Congress simply because it takes on the influential pay TV sector and broadcast companies," Guggenheim Partners analyst Paul Gallant wrote in a research note. Read more Quick news from across the Web. > SES said it renewed and expanded its content management and satellite-based delivery contract with Comcast Wholesale. News release > CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves said he believes CBS should be the second-highest paid network in terms of carriage fees, behind ESPN. Article > Viggle said it generated $4.3 million in revenue in the quarter ending Sept. 30, which was an increase of 111 percent compared to the same period last year. News release > The Connected by TCP smart home LED lighting system that Technical Consumer Products began selling Wednesday lets consumers with home Wi-Fi networks control lighting systems with iOS and Android devices. News release Telecom News > Consolidated Communications may still be integrating SureWest into its fold, but according to CFO Steve Childers the service provider is hungry to pursue new deals that allow it to diversify its revenue streams. Read more > Verizon may have halted further builds of its FiOS network into new markets, but where it is converting problem copper-based customers to the fiber-based service it's finding that customers like purchasing speeds of 50 Mbps and higher. Read more Online Video News > Roku owners who also subscribe to certain pay-TV providers will be able to access Disney's suite of WATCH apps through the streaming video device. Read more And finally... Jawbone, which is backed by Comcast Ventures, unveiled the UP24 fitness wristband, which can connect to iOS devices using Bluetooth Smart technology. News release > Is your strategy for small and medium-sized businesses bringing rewards? - Wednesday, December 4th, 11am ET / 8am PT / 4pm GMT Gain insights into where service providers are currently experiencing problems in the sales cycle, with a benchmark for the SMB market by sector, as well as ideas on how to increase efficiency. Register Today!
| > Whitepaper: OTA Updating Simplified - Using SaaS to Update Android Devices As Android becomes more and more popular and the preferred OS choice for many other non-mobile devices, like smart watches, ruggedized devices, cameras, TVs and others, having an over-the-air (OTA) update capability has become essential to every new Android manufacturer. Download this white paper today to learn more. > eBook: eBrief | Next-Gen Program Guides Pay-TV providers are developing programming guides that not only inform viewers of programming but also add interactive and social media features. Learn more today. > eBook: Transitioning to 100G and Beyond: The Big Picture As the industry moves forward to meet the enormous demand for data with video, mobile and cloud, the core networks need to transition from 10 Gbps to 100 Gbps - and beyond. Download this eBook to learn how Cisco helps provide industry-leading 100G performance and support. > Whitepaper: Your Guide to iOS 7 he new version of iOS marks a notable improvement over the last in terms of aesthetics and features, and this guide should get you up to speed with the changes and additions to what Apple calls the world’s most powerful mobile OS. Download today! > Whitepaper: Customer Experience for Service This Executive Brief explores the role of service and support in creating great customer experiences, the service goals market leaders use related to customer experience and the Oracle approach for empowering new service experiences. Download today! > Whitepaper: Know What Customers Want Before They Do Today's consumers only want interactions that are relevant, personalized, and based on a customer’s situation and preferences. Discover the framework for creating effective NBOs for B2C and B2B companies. Download today. > Whitepaper: The Future of Sales Performance Management Download this document to learn new technologies and tools that are improving sales managers' ability to measure and enhance the performance of their sales teams. Download today. > Whitepaper: 5 Things to Look for in a Video Management Solution With all the many different providers of video management solutions out there, we understand how the selection process can be overwhelming for many. Learn the five core components that should be in every video management solution. Download and learn more today. > Whitepaper: How to Transform Your Mobile Customer Care Strategy It's all about the SCI: the smart, connected interaction. It's not easy - mobility increases the number of variables going into each interaction, requires the preservation of context across channels, but it allows each interaction to naturally evolve. Read this document to learn how to go SCI and naturally connect with your customers. > eBook: Partnering For DPI Deployment DPI in the marketplace is expected to boom in the near term. To achieve successful deployment, DPI must be tightly integrated with the specific capabilities carriers want to offer. Download to learn more! > Discover the Advantages of Software Encoding for IPTV and Cable Learn how multi-purpose software encoders running on standard IT hardware offer greater speed, quality, scalability, and flexibility – plus reduced costs and greater operational efficiency – over single-purpose hardware encoders. Download the free white paper to learn more.
| > Account Executive – Cablevision - Edison, NJ The Account Executive is responsible for selling Optimum Lightpath Products and services to mid market companies in an assigned geographic area. This position will sell to new accounts as well as to existing accounts as assigned. The AE-II will generate leads by cold calling, networking and referrals as well as closing leads generated through various marketing initiatives...Learn More > Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FierceWirelessJobs | |
Editor: 
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.