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NBC News unveils 'Signal' streaming news network
NBC News is joining its rivals by venturing beyond cable TV with a streaming news channel called Signal. You can watch it on the NBC News website and NBC's apps, as well as third-party services including YouTube, Twitter and Pluto TV.
T-Mobile will launch a TV service in 2018
You'd think that telecoms would want to bail on conventional TV services given how many people are cutting the cord, but don't tell that to T-Mobile. The carrier has revealed that it's launching a TV service in 2018, and that it has acquired Layer3 TV (a company that integrates TV, streaming and social networking) to make this happen. It claims that it can "uncarrier" TV the way it did with wireless service, and has already targeted a few areas it thinks it can fix: it doesn't like the years-long contracts, bloated bundles, outdated tech and poor customer service that are staples of TV service in the US.
FCC will vote on viewer-tracking broadcast standard this week
On Thursday, the FCC will vote on a new broadcast standard that stands to have a big impact on both consumers and broadcasters. Next Gen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0, will bring with it sharper images and video as well as the ability for TV broadcasters to get more detailed data about consumers' viewing habits. Rather than just broad demographics, those broadcasters will be able to collect viewing data similar to how cable providers do with set-top boxes and how websites track browsing history. That information could then be used to more specifically target ads to viewers. The FCC is expected to approve the new standard but many are voicing concern over privacy issues and lack of regulation.
Twitter to stream its first basic cable drama: TNT's 'Claws'
TNT is premiering its new drama "Claws" this Sunday, but if you miss the first showing on the network itself, you can catch an encore on Twitter. TNT's parent company, Turner, streamed TBS' "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee's Not the White House Correspondents' Dinner" on Twitter in April. But in a statement, the company said that "Claws" will be the first basic cable drama to stream on the platform, which Twitter confirmed to Engadget.
TBS, TNT launch new streaming apps and redesign old ones
Just a few years ago, Turner was newly entering live streaming game, promising TBS and TNT apps that would allow subscribers to watch across multiple platforms and screens. Now in 2017, it's ready to "reimagine" the streaming experience with redesigned websites as well as apps for iOS, Apple TV, Android and Amazon Fire. New apps are extending to other platforms including Chromecast, Roku and Vizio's Smartcast. Of course, you'll still need to be a subscriber to some TV package in order to get full access, but the apps will stream immediately to let viewers get a taste before they log in. Once viewers are all set, they'll be able to easily pause and resume across different devices, and the networks say apps are on the way for game consoles and other connected TVs later this year. Finally, there's also integration for something called Vizbee that is said to allow casting from a mobile device to connected screens without a special app or plug-in, although it's not clear which platforms that will work on.
Sling TV is joining Comcast's X1 cable platform
Sling TV's over the top internet service is about to arrive in an unusual landing spot: Comcast's cable boxes. The two companies just announced a partnership that will put the IPTV service on the X1 platform in the future, with 425+ channels including a number of multicultural offerings. According to the release, all Sling TV packages will be available on X1, with pricing consistent with other platforms. There's no word yet on exactly when the two will come together, but Netflix went from beta to fully available in just a couple of months, so that could bode well for the pairing.
Trump quashes rumor of Trump TV
Since the launch of his campaign there has been speculation that presidential candidate Donald Trump was using the 2016 race to expand his brand. That's culminated recently in speculation that he'll launch Trump TV if he loses his bid for the White House. But the candidate laid those media-empire rumors to rest during a radio interview.
Google Fiber finally adds AMC to its TV lineup
While most of us are still waiting for Google Fiber to reach our town, many of the people who have its TV service were waiting for something else: AMC. Now, after nearly four years of waiting and an overwhelming number of requests on Google's forums, they have it on channel 288. While adding the channel post-Mad Men and Breaking Bad feels a little late, AMC does have The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul, to go with newbie series Preacher and Feed the Beast.
Comcast Xfinity heads to Roku and Samsung TVs without a box (update: FCC responds)
While the FCC is working on ways to "unlock the box," Comcast announced plans for its Xfinity TV service that don't require the set-top add-on. Later this year, the company will release an Xfinity TV Partner app for Roku-powered TVs and streaming gadgets as well as Samsung's 2016 line of smart TVs. The app is part of a wider Xfinity TV Partner Program from Comcast, which brings its cable service to consumer home entertainment devices while nixing the extra cost of renting a box.
Layer3 vows to fix cable TV, not replace it
The prevailing wisdom among the internet literati is that old-school TV is on the way out. When even the incumbents are catering to cord-cutters, surely internet-only video will be the way of the future, isn't it? Don't tell that to Layer3 TV. It's revealing plans for an upcoming cable TV service that, theoretically, tackles some of the biggest problems you run into with conventional providers like Comcast or Time Warner Cable. For a start, Layer3 wants to avoid the overly compressed video that you typically endure -- it's using efficient HEVC (H.265) encoding and a fiber optic backbone to keep bandwidth use in check and maintain the highest quality possible. You're also promised very precise service appointment windows (within one hour) and set-top box installation so simple that you'll eventually get to do it yourself.
Amazon starts selling Comcast cable TV and internet
Amazon has moved into some unexpected areas recently, like a physical bookstore, and apparently the spot on its list is cable TV. TV Predictions was first to notice the Amazon Cable Store, which so far is only stocked with Comcast's Xfinity TV and Internet services for customers living within areas it covers. According to Comcast, the site offers easy ordering and simplified pricing that is identical to its new customer offers sold elsewhere, so what's really new is the storefront. There's also a dedicated support team for the site, equipped to cover everything from sales to followup via phone, email chat and social media -- which is hopefully enough channels to avoid some of the installation nightmares we've all heard about.
FCC pushes #unlockthebox campaign to fix cable TV
Cable TV has many issues that frustrate its customers -- channel bundles, poor customer service, high prices and more -- but so many of them track back directly to its antiquated and troublesome set-top boxes. As it has for many years, the FCC is again pushing for changes to the traditional model, and Chairman Tom Wheeler laid out the points for his plan (PDF) as well as authored an op-ed on Re/code earlier today. We detailed the issues and what the FCC is trying to do earlier, but what's clear now is that after years of pushing AllVid with little to show for it, the agency is trying a new tack.
Time Warner Cable's Roku TV test starts in NYC for $10 per month
We've been telling you about Time Warner Cable's plan to test streaming TV for its internet-only customers since before it was officially announced, but now customers can actually sign up for it. If having a cable box is part of what you hated about cable TV, now internet customers can get access to the TWC TV app on a variety of devices without adding a box or having a tech come out. During the trial, testers will get a free Roku 3 player, and the cheapest plan (with channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and TBS among the 20+ included) starts at just $10 per month on a 12 month contract . Adding Showtime and Starz doubles the price, and testers can get a pretty healthy package with channels like Disney and ESPN for $50 per month. As we detailed when it announced, there's no DVR with this setup, but it is an easy way to get TV without some of the hassles. The main drawback here? Unlike something like Sling TV, this is only available to Time Warner Cable customers, and during the test it's only in NYC -- check out the site for all the details.
Best of Public Access Vol.9: So What'cha, What'cha Want?
by08.13.2015
Google is Alphabet now, in one of the more confusing rebrandings since Netflix thought that Qwikster would be a good idea. This week, in addition to trying to think of clever headlines about the Alphabet announcement, we heard back from the Def Con hacker conference, and electropop band Yacht ensured no one would ever see their album artwork when they released it via fax machine only... because there is nothing artists hate more than you actually looking at their work.
Sling TV says Comcast/NBC doesn't want to run its ads
Just as Comcast dips its toe in the internet TV business, Sling TV is claiming that the giant is refusing to run ads for its service on NBC stations that it owns. According to Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch (last seen walking off with our Best of CES Overall Winner trophy), the ads are running across other broadcasters, and on NBC stations not owned by Comcast. If the idea was to cut down on the number of people seeing an alternative to the cable setup, that may have backfired since you're reading this right now. Comcast's NBC stations aren't running the ads in three cities (San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.), but the internet stretches much further.
TV giant Comcast actually has more internet customers now
Just in case you were wondering why Comcast is suddenly ready with TV service for people who prefer to watch over the internet, the earnings report it released today can show you why. For the first time (albeit by a narrow margin of 22.55 million to 22.3 million), the cable giant has more high speed internet customers than cable TV subscribers. As it usually does in its financial Q2, Comcast lost TV subscribers, but fewer this year (69,000) than last year (144,000), a number it credits to ongoing improvements in customer service. While the shift away from TV is a small one right now, it reminds us of a similar tipping point: when Netflix streaming overtook discs, and never looked back.
Cablevision offers 'Cord Cutter' packages with optional HBO Now
It looks like Cablevision is covering all of its bases. Today the company announced "Cord Cutter" packages that include a free digital antenna and access to its Optimum WiFi network. Additionally, Cablevision is offering the option of adding HBO Now to the service, making it the first ever cable provider to do so. With pay-TV losing customers to streaming services, it makes sense for these companies to offer broadband-only packages. In a statement, CEO Kristin Dolan, said: "Our new 'cord cutter' packages take a modern approach to traditional triple-product bundles and provide real alternatives that fit new consumer lifestyles."
Comcast's cloud DVR starts serving up recordings you can watch anywhere
In the midst of attempting to gobble up its largest counterpart, battle Netflix on net neutrality and face down customer service scandals, Comcast is still slowly extending its new TV platform. The latest addition to its X1 setup is enhancing the cloud DVR feature that CEO Brian Roberts showed off at the beginning of the year. While the 500GB cloud DVR and in-home streaming are already a part of the system in several areas, in the Bay Area and Houston viewers can stream or download recordings to their mobile devices (iOS or Android, PCs can only stream) starting today. Inside the house, the X1 app fulfills Roberts promise of turning any mobile device into a television, with access to live TV streaming, recordings and video on-demand.
CNBC: Comcast will buy Time Warner Cable tomorrow for over $40 billion
After months of rumors and a public battle with Charter Communications, CNBC reporter David Faber reports that Time Warner Cable will be acquired by Comcast tomorrow. According to sources, the number one cable TV (and internet) provider in the US will make an all-stock deal worth $159 per share to gobble up the number two provider. Of course, any such agreement would be subject to regulatory approval from the FCC, however Faber indicates Comcast is willing to ditch about 3 million subscribers to make the deal go through. Previous rumors suggested Comcast might split TWC with Charter, but that doesn't appear to be on the table even after Charter proposed a new board of directors for TWC to get its deal done. Another rumor this might put a stake in is today's curiously-timed Apple TV leak, although we'll wait for an official announcement of some kind to judge that.
Comcast's new X1 cable boxes are apparently suffering a nationwide outage (update: back online)
Beginning around midnight ET tonight, users of Comcast's new X1 platform from areas across the country have reported blank screens from their boxes. As of about 3AM, at least a few indicate service is coming back on, while others still can't watch anything on TV. There's no official response from the various Comcast social media accounts, but a peek at DownDetector.com and forum threads reveals the issue is hitting several areas coast to coast all at once. The new cloud enabled TV platform and DVRs aren't available everywhere yet, so reports are clustered in a few areas. For people wary of a move towards "cloud computing," issues like this with the new DVRs that get their information via internet protocol is just another reason to love a standalone box. We'll check with Comcast to see if we can get any more information regarding the outage, let us know in the comments how things are working in your area. [Thanks, @Timmeh71] Update (12:44 PM): A Comcast representative let us know that the service is now back up and running. Be sure to tell us how it's going for you in the comments. Yes, some X1 customers experienced service issues last night. The team has corrected it and service should now be back to normal.
