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Netflix/ABC/Disney streaming deal will bring TV all-you-can-eat to Apple TV
If the cheap $99 price tag of the Apple TV hasn't persuaded you to buy one of the tiny media centers yet, perhaps this news of a new deal between Netflix and The Walt Disney Company will make you reconsider. Netflix is one of the content providers for the Apple TV, streaming a growing library of old and new movies and TV shows to subscribers who are paying a minimum of US$7.99 per month for instant access. Now the LA Times is reporting that ABC's parent, The Walt Disney Company, has reached a one-year agreement with Netflix to stream shows from ABC, The Disney Channel, and ABC Family to Netflix customers. The deal, which is worth an estimated $150 - $200 million to Disney, will give Netflix subscribers access to previous seasons of shows such as Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters, and Lost. In addition, subscribers will be able to view some shows that have aired only 15 days before. As noted in the LA Times blog post, the deal is sure to upset traditional cable TV, satellite TV, and telecom operators, all of whom see Netflix and Hulu as encroaching on their turf. The Disney deal comes after earlier Netflix arrangements with NBC and Warner Bros. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is the largest single shareholder in The Walt Disney Company, and serves on the company's board of directors. [via Fast Company]
Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS
Verizon FiOS subscribers can expect a few new channels in the lineup now that it's reached an agreement with Disney for ESPN content across a variety of channels and even devices. While ESPN 3D isn't scheduled for launch until 2011 (maybe in time for the BCS National Championship game, but too late to catch LeBron, Dwyane, Chris and those other guys take on the Knicks) ESPN Goal Line will go live on the 9th for Extreme HD and Ultimate HD package subscribers (except for D.C. and Harrisburg, PA) giving live look ins at all the college football games on Saturday. Playing further into Verizon's tablet plans, the agreement also means customers can watch ESPN live channels directly on PCs or other authenticated devices, mirroring an earlier agreement between ESPN and Time Warner. Beyond that there's a new Disney Junior channel on the way in 2010 plus Disney XD and ABC Family content coming to V Cast but we pretty much tuned out once we got past the sports part. Check the entire press release out after the break.
NBC says no to iTunes rentals at 99 cents
With reports of credit cards being charged for Apple TV pre-orders, it's only a short time before Apple's hobby takes a rather serious step forward. But with only ABC and Fox having signed up to Apple's new $0.99 price point to rent television shows, it seems there's a lot hanging in the balance. Most notably, for Apple - and for those that purchase the Apple TV - whether other large television studios will follow suit and get on board with Apple's new strategy. Recently, we reported that Warner Bros. was not best pleased with Apple's new TV episode price point. And now NBC has chimed in, too. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Investor conference, Chief Executive of NBC Universal Jeff Zucker said, "We do not think 99 cents is the right price point for our content," and continued by saying, "We thought it would devalue our content." As reported by AppleInsider. But Apple's been at loggerheads with NBC before. Back in 2007, NBC decided not to renew its contract with Apple, resulting in NBC content being removed from the iTunes store, rather abruptly. NBC wanted the price point to be raised to $4.99 per TV episode, and that was three years ago. Eventually NBC came good with Apple, with NBC content being restored to the iTunes Store. Could history be repeating itself again? We're inclined to think so. Though Apple's new TV platform doesn't have everything going for it, it's certainly got a lot in its favor. And, as always, time will tell if Apple's going in the right direction, again. Be sure to let us know when your new Apple TV arrives at your door.
Disney grabs a piece of Hulu
Just as we'd heard, Disney has worked out a deal with Hulu that includes taking a piece of the streaming video site, joining NBC Universal, News Corporation and Providence Equity Partners as owners and bringing Disney TV shows and movies to the site. Expect Lost, Desperate Housewives, Greek, General Hospital and the like so show up after the deal closes, no word on any delay periods and the only content not mentioned in the deal appears to be ESPN related properties. Also sadly missing from the announcement? Any word of increased HD streaming on Hulu, lets hope they take a page from ABC.com and get right on that.
The Middleman throws broadcast flag on ABC Family
Sheesh, again? Not even a month after the collective HTPC community begrudgingly forgave Microsoft / NBC / whomever for throwing up the broadcast flag on select NBC programs, we've got yet another instance of Media Center users being unable to record a (late) primetime show. Reports around the web are suggesting that ABC Family's The Middleman threw the flag on a number of systems -- not just Vista -- and it's hard to say right now who is at fault. TVSquad's Brett Love had no issues capturing the show in HD and SD via his cable company-provided HD DVR, thus he's guessing the finger of blame is pointing in the general direction of Redmond. So, what gives? Will users continue to see these things followed by a quiet apology, or will the kinks really be ironed out so our perfectly legal time-shifting can resume?
Comcast bringing ABC Family HD / Disney Channel HD to Seattle market
We know, it's growing harder and harder to wait for the half dozen new HD channels to hit Seattle, Washington on March 4th, but maybe this will make things easier (or not). Reportedly, Comcast is getting set to toss in two more high-def options on that fateful day: Disney Channel HD and ABC Family HD. Unfortunately, we've no idea if these two will spread to any other Comcast markets, but there's no harm in hoping, eh?[Thanks, Daniel H.]
DirecTV to carry four new HD Disney owned channels in 2008
While they can hardly count these towards the 100 they promised for this year, there is no doubt DirecTV knows that when you are making deals; think long term. Starting in early 2008 ESPNEWS HD will launch as a 24 hour HD simulcast of ESPNEWS when the new studio is complete and will be carried by DirecTV. DirecTV will also carry ABC Family HD, Disney Channel HD, and Toon Disney HD, also released sometime in 2008. These will be the first family oriented HD channels as well as the first 24 news channel to go HD assuming CNN or someone else doesn't beat them to it.[Via DBSTalk.com]
Dave Chappelle, Wildfire in iTunes
The good news: Dave Chappelle is in the iTunes Music Store. The bad news: It's not his show from Comedy Central. "I'm Rick James..." Well, you know how it goes. The Chappelle video [iTunes link] is a nearly one hour stand up special he filmed for Showtime, and costs $1.99.Wildfire [iTunes link] is an ABC Family series (I admit I've never seen it), and seasons 1 and 2 are both available.
