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Comcast, Scripps deal brings more internet streaming video on Xfinity TV
While some pay-TV providers are tied up in nasty battles with the studios that provide them content, Comcast and Scripps have just inked an agreement to bring the company's lifestyle programming to cable subscribers over the internet. As noted in the press release (embedded after the break) the multi-year deal brings HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country to Comcast's TV Everywhere portal, via mobile (and "other" devices) and on Scripps websites. Probably not a minor element in the deal is the inclusion of support for Comcast's on the fly ad-insertion for VOD, which should push the efforts of both partners along, although potentially unskippable ads could be less viewer friendly.
Scripps Networks channels (Food, HGTV, etc.) restored to AT&T's U-Verse
That was fast. HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and GAC are back on the dial for U-Verse customers now that parent company Scripps Networks and AT&T have worked out an agreement. Unfortunately, there's no fiery press release to remark on this time, AT&T's website only says that it's satisfied to reach a fair deal that "helps us with important strategic content initiatives." 'Nuff said. [Thanks, Jay]
U-verse loses HGTV, Food & other Scripps networks during latest carriage dispute
Well, we can't say we weren't warned. It appears AT&T and Scripps Networks have been unable to reach a price for the family of TV channels including HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and GAC, resulting in them disappearing at 1 a.m. last night. Naturally, each side has issued press releases (included after the break) and put up websites accusing the other of being unreasonable, unfair, and undoubtedly being the cause of the mess though curiously this time around it's the content provider Scripps claiming U-verse refused an extension while negotiations continued. In the meantime, AT&T suggests subscribers check out TLC and others on a free preview to fill the gap -- we'll see how long that lasts, it's the real Bobby Flay or nothing where we come from.
U-verse preps customers for carriage disputes and missing channels
Already involved in a carriage dispute with Hallmark Channel, AT&T's gotten out in front of a possible new carriage dispute with Scripps Networks Interactive by notifying customers what channels they could lose at month's end. Others are also on the block unless a new deal is worked out, including FamilyNet, EWTN and Bloomberg, but Scripps' DIY Network, Food Network, HGTV and others are the most notable. Our friends at ZatzNotFunny recently linked up a Bloomberg article detailing the rising number of retrans fee disputes and discussing the reasons behind them, as content providers and operators continue to try to squeeze profits out of their existing business model while still expanding into new ones, all without raising rates so rapidly customers complain. [Thanks, Salman]
CBS, Comcast On Demand Online partnership faces off premium vs. free internet streaming; 17 cable channels jump onboard
After stocking up on premium networks with HBO and Starz, Comcast's On Demand Online project has added its first broadcast TV partner, CBS. One of the worries regarding TV Everywhere / On Demand Online has been what it would mean for free streaming portals like Hulu, with broadcasters potentially shifting content behind pay-tv walls to keep people from dropping cable and satellite TV subscriptions. CBS has been the notable Hulu holdout, although it has also pushed forward with free streaming on its website, including March Madness and even upping the resolution of its Flash video to 1080p. Further conflicting the issue? 17 more cable networks (A&E, AMC, BBC America, DIY Network, Fine Living Network, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, History, IFC, MGM Impact, Sundance Channel, WE tv, E!, The Style Network, G4 and FEARnet) have also announced plans to join the 5,000 subscriber trial. Just like the previous agreements, it appears customers should expect access during the trial to reflect a lot of what CBS and the others already offer through standard VOD but now with more placeshifting goodness. While media execs watch the bottom line, we're just hoping the stated CBS strategy of "open, non-exclusive distribution of our content in a consumer friendly way" (from the press release, available in full after the break) could push Hulu to add more HD, or at least unblock the PlayStation 3 & Windows Mobile.
