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ABC affiliate deal makes it easier to livestream local channels
Disney has signed deals with more than 160 television stations that will finally enable them to stream their local content. Most of the affiliates will now use services like DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation Vue and YouTube TV to broadcast their own shows within target markets. Ultimately, this means 90 percent of all TV-equipped households will soon be able to stream content from their local affiliates through cable, satellite and app services.
Disney is making mini TV series for Snapchat
As Snapchat (or, if you want to be technical, Snap Inc) gets ready for its upcoming IPO, the company has been expanding its scope. No longer just an ephemeral messaging app, Snapchat has grown into a content platform with articles and videos. It's lately been taking on original TV-like content as well, with an NBC deal to air a The Voice-like show within the app. That library of media is growing, and now a new partner has joined the fray. According to Reuters, Disney's television arm will create shows for Snapchat, starting with a The Bachelor recap series.
Google rumor hints at 'Unplugged' streaming TV service
Since rumors about Apple's TV attempts are in their ebb phase, now it's time for Google to take the stage. In a pattern that seems very familiar, sources tell the Wall Street Journal, Reuters and CNBC that Google has cut a deal with CBS to include its channels in a streaming "skinny bundle." The rumored service is apparently planned for launch in 2017 under the name "Unplugged." While Apple's long-rumored service has yet to appear, we have seen similar efforts appear in the form of Dish Network's Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and the upcoming DirecTV Now.
How to watch tonight's US presidential debate
So you're determined to watch the first of 2016's US presidential debates, but you don't subscribe to TV... or you live in a country that won't have a live broadcast. What to do? Relax. This year, there are more choices than ever for watching online, and not just in the US. We've rounded up the main internet viewing sources for Clinton versus Trump, including the kind of commentary you'll get. Whichever option you choose, you'll probably want to keep our guide to the candidates on hand when things kick off at 9PM Eastern -- the odds are that the grand speeches and spirited arguments won't answer all your technology policy questions.
ABC signs Facebook deal to livestream 2016 presidential debates
When ABC started experimenting with online streaming of the Democratic and Republican national conventions on Facebook this summer, they got a whopping 28 million video views. Whether that was an influx of cord-cutters or just a hungry public that does more browsing than TV watching, the success was proof enough for the network to go bigger for the next phase in the election. They will broadcast the presidential debates on Facebook Live advertisement-free, beginning with the first one on September 26th.
Bloomberg: Amazon wants live sports streaming rights
Bloomberg believes that Amazon is considering buying the rights to a variety of live sporting events as a way of bringing more people into Prime. According to the site's anonymous sources, the firm has made discreet enquiries about picking up licenses for global sports including tennis, golf, soccer and car racing. The company is believed to have a beady eye on domestic sports like baseball and basketball, although knows that traditional broadcasters have that sewn up for the next few years.
T-Mobile adds Apple Music, Fox Now and more to Binge On
T-Mobile's adding a whole bunch more entertainment services to its 'Un-carrier' plans today, meaning lower data bills for customers that just can't bear to switch off Quantico while out and about.
Facebook and ABC team up for live DNC and RNC coverage
Your options for livestreaming the Democratic and Republican national conventions just got even wider. ABC and Facebook are partnering on 24-hour live online coverage of both the DNC and RNC, whether it's speeches on the floor or protests outside. And importantly, this isn't just reusing TV programming onilne -- there will be in-depth coverage that wouldn't be practical in conventional broadcasting. Your comments and questions on Facebook will also influence the coverage.
ABC launches new streaming original and throwback content
ABC is looking to revamp its push into the exclusive subscription content game, relaunching its free streaming service with a wealth of new content and classic shows for viewers to binge on.
ABC's 'Nashville' VR specials will be a last hurrah for the show
There was sad news for fans of ABC's country music drama Nashville this week. The network announced that the show was being cancelled at the end of season 4, which is currently airing. That revelation came on the heels of ABC revealing that it would give fans an inside look at the series with virtual reality. A collection of videos are set at the Bluebird Cafe serving as a companion to what will be the last few episodes of the show.
PlayStation Vue TV streaming is now available across the US
Sony is launching PlayStation Vue nationwide across the US, shaking off the "passion project" image that's haunted the service since its inception. If you live outside Vue's existing seven markets, however, you'll notice that channel availability and pricing is now a little different. Sony is pushing into the rest of the country with three smaller bundles called Access Slim, Core Slim and Elite Sim, the cheapest of which offers around 55 TV channels for $29.99 per month. That's slightly less than the regular Access tier, with the difference being that you'll only get on-demand content from ABC, FOX and NBC. There's no live viewing for these networks.
Tim Cook: Unlocking terrorist's iPhone would be 'bad for America' (updated)
Apple has been in an ongoing legal fight with the government regarding the iPhone of terrorist, Syed Rizwan Farook. While the United States has filed motions compelling the company to help it circumvent the passcode of the device, the company and CEO Tim Cook have publicly refused via an open letter stating that doing so would jeopardize the safety and privacy of its customers.
ABC's 'Good Morning America' takes you on a live VR safari
If you're a fan of ABC's morning show, the network is offering viewers a rather unique take on remote reporting this week. From 7:00 AM to 9:00 ET tomorrow (February 23rd), Good Morning America will broadcast live in 360-degree VR from the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. ABC News' Amy Robach will be on location as the network captures footage from the Great Migration which includes the largest concentration of Africa's big mammals each February. Robach's report on the dangers the animals face from poachers will be presented alongside the immersive visuals. In fact, ABC says this is the first time on network television that VR cameras and gear will allow viewers to pick their adventure live and in real time.
Prep for the debates and primaries with Engadget's election guide
Last week Iowa voted and there were surprises all around. Ted Cruz became the front runner in the Republican race and Marco Rubio made an excellent showing by coming in a close third. Plus Hillary Clinton only narrowly avoided an upset from Larry David impersonator Bernie Sanders. Add to that the rather contentious (and meme-inspiring) debate between the Republicans on Saturday and this week is looking to be a decisive one for the Candidates.
How to watch this week's presidential primary debates
Primary season is officially underway, but don't think that the deluge of debates is over. There will be many, many, many, more chances for the candidates to face off on stage. Tonight at 9pm ET Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will follow up their razor thin race in Iowa by bringing their sales pitches to New Hampshire. With Martin O'Malley officially out of the race, it will be down to just the two front runners. You can watch the debate live on MSNBC and at MSNBC.com. Saturday night, at 9pm ET, its the Republicans turn to put on a debate for the citizens of New Hampshire. You'll be able to watch that on your local ABC affiliate or online at abcnew.go.com/live. And, of course, before those showdowns kick off, make sure to get caught up on the candidates positions on the most pressing tech and science issues of 2016 in our election guide. And make sure to join in the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Ello, Google+, BBS or semaphore using the hashtag #engadgetelectionguide.
ESPN exec: Sling TV 'significant' but Apple is 'frustrated'
ESPN has come of age in the cable era, but as internet TV grows and cord-cutting continues, its future is suddenly fuzzy. President John Skipper talked to the Wall Street Journal and commented a bit about the state of streaming and how it's affecting his business. He says the stats show Dish Network's Sling TV (which carries ESPN as part of its bundle of channels) is bringing "significant" numbers of new TV customers in, without pulling viewers away from cable or satellite.
At the CES 'Shark Tank' open call, the optimism is infectious
"I just want to do the royalty, because I develop formulas for cancer. So, I want to use Michael's money to help heal the world," a gray-haired man in a kung-fu uniform explained, his face perfectly serene as he explained his purported friendship with Michael Jackson. In a different setting, the situation might have been seemed bizarre, but three hours into open auditions for ABC's reality show Shark Tank at this year's Consumer Electronic Show, it was par for course.
Variety: ABC is prepping exclusive content for its streaming service
CBS isn't the only major network getting into the exclusive content game. According to Variety, ABC is planning to do the same. The programming will be available through WatchABC and the first show is said to be a scripted project starring stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger. You might remember Shlesinger from her Netflix specials. What's more, the network doesn't plan to use the new platform only as a means of keeping its properties to itself, but rather a testing grounds of sorts. If a show does well there, it could make the jump to primetime. If you'll recall, WatchABC provides live TV broadcasts (in some markets) and access to both to new and past episodes of shows, some of which require a paid subscription. Details are scarce on how much of the new exclusive content will require a pay TV plan, but this report follows similar moves by other networks.
ABC's 'BattleBots' reboot will come back for a second season
Good news if you liked ABC's resurrection of BattleBots for the modern era: it's sticking around. The network has renewed BattleBots for a second season, albeit with some tweaks. It'll preserve the single-elimination tourney that you saw in the first run, but it'll double the number of competitors to include everyone from "expert roboticists" to "families on a mission." Logically, past winners will come back for another shot at glory. It's too soon to say if these changes will spice up ABC's robotic wars, but the show's audience grew significantly over the first season -- don't be shocked if there's a third when all is said and done.
Disney and ESPN channels are coming to PlayStation Vue
For all the channels that PlayStation Vue gives you, there have been a few conspicuous gaps: without Disney or ESPN, you didn't have much in the way of kids' programming or sports. That gap is closing today. Disney has announced that all of its media networks are coming to Sony's streaming TV service, including local ABC stations, the Disney Channel and (of course) ESPN's many offerings. Importantly, this is a rare chance to watch live Disney streams on multiple devices -- you can watch sports on your iPad while your kids monopolize the TV. Disney hasn't said when its channels are showing up or whether you'll pay a premium to get them, but this is still big news if you've wanted to ditch cable or satellite without springing for a relatively barebones option like Sling TV.
