March 17, 2008
Digital cable vs satellite…….On March 14, 2008, a Proton launch vehicle carrying the SES Americom AMC-14 satellite experienced an anomaly which left the satellite in a lower orbit than planned and temporarily taking Dish Networks HD plans with it. While further testing will no doubt be necessary, the satellite appears to be functional. Engineers from SES Americom and Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the satellite, are exploring options to bring AMC-14 into its proper orbit. If those efforts work, station keeping fuel would be required to correct the orbit, so the service life of the satellite would be substantially reduced.
Dish Network says that they intended to lease the entire capacity of the satellite from EchoStar Corporation in order to, among other things, increase the number of high definition channels they offer. Therefore, the launch anomaly will result in a delay in their roll out of some high definition channels, including some local network channels.
Popularity: 97% [?]
March 13, 2008
Online video platform Joost may offer full length TV episodes, but Joost is more of a video on demand service than a live TV service. But that could change, starting today. NewTeeVee reports that Joost will offer live streaming video of College Basketballs March Madness tournament.
Personal video recorders are changing the way people watch television shows and movies. But for the most part people like to watch sports and other live events…….live. The odds of taping CSI and then walking down the street the next morning only to have the plot spoiled by a front page newspaper story isnt going to happen. But that’s exactly what happens if you record last night’s basketball game with plans to save it until the weekend.
While video on demand is the right business model for most online video, the ability to provide live streams of some content seems crucial. Now let’s see how many people actually turn to Joost instead of, you know, a television set for their NCAA March Madness coverage.
Which do you prefer? Digital cable vs satellite
Popularity: 95% [?]
On March 4, 2008 TiVo released there quarterly financial results and the company reports narrower than expected losses. And buried in CEO Tom Rogers’ statement was this: TiVo is working on a standalone set top box that will support Tru2Way, the standard once known as OCAP.
What that means too you is that one day you’ll be able to buy a TiVo box that has support for advanced digital cable functions like switched digital video, video on demand, and pay per view. Right now, the closest you can get is a Motorola box from Comcast that runs TiVo software. If you happen to live in the Boston area, that is. For folks in the rest of the country, you have a choice: TiVo, or video on demand. You can’t have both on the same set top box.
Of course, by the time TiVo gets this new box to market, Comcast and Cox may have already rolled out TiVo software outside of New England.
Popularity: 91% [?]
March 6, 2008
Are you brain dead???? Totally loose and easy to get into bed????? Dieing to become americas next disposable icon????? Well then what are you waiting on, get on a “reality” show.
You know the shows I’m talking about… some bleach blonde bimbette prancing around a Malibu condo paid for by MTV, trying to work up some fake tears because some skank just bonked her boything in the hot tub. Never mind she is reading from a script, under the direction of a producer, and trying not to run into the hordes of cameras, lights and boom mics littering the room, this is reality man….this is real!
If you have ever wanted to be on one of these shows the kind folks over at RealityWanted.com are eager to help you lose your dignity. The site has a list of existing and new “reality” shows that are currently looking for rubes, er, talent. Shows like Americas Top Model, Biggest Loser, Rock Opposites and more are casting now.
Popularity: 100% [?]
March 4, 2008
In recent weeks, HBO has made episodes of their new drama series In Treatment available for free viewing online. Now, HBO has taken another step in expanding its brand and making some of their top shows available on the web. The cable channel has just inked a deal with YouTube to create an HBO channel online. The HBO/YouTube site is up and running and you can click over there today and start catching up on some of HBOs programming.
The initial line up is impressive, starting with the Gabriel Byrne drama In Treatment. You can also catch up with Entourage episodes, which are always fun. There are more laughs with Flight of the Conchords, Extras, Stand Up Comedy, Def Comedy Jam, and Real Time With Bill Maher. On the dramatic front, there’s The Wire. In addition, you can watch episodes of the award-winning magazine show Real Sports, as well as the Latino documentary series Habla y Habla.
Popularity: 95% [?]
