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ABC, ESPN and other Disney networks go dark on Dish and Sling TV
Dish claimed Disney wanted nearly $1 billion more to extend a contract that has now expired.
Dish teams up with Disney and ABC to offer app access to content
Starting today, Dish subscribers can tune into their favorite ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel and ESPN shows on their computers, phones and tablets. Thanks to its recently renewed deal with the Walt Disney Company, customers can now access shows through each channel's respective app or website by signing in using their DISH account information. Some apps are also available on the Apple TV and Roku, and ESPN content can be accessed on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Dish rolled back some of its DVR tech (Hopper's ad skipping on Disney-owned ABC is disabled for three days) to wrangle an agreement that raises the possibility of ESPN on an internet-only streaming service -- here's hoping that was worth it. Image credit: Flickr/ Dave L
Disney show to premier on iPad, Kindle Fire
The Disney Company has taken the bold step to release Sheriff Callie's Wild West on iPads and Kindles before it makes it to the more traditional Disney Channel and Disney Junior outlets. The New York Times reports that Disney feels there are enough kids using tablets that the jump is logical. "This is an entirely new approach for us," said Nancy Kanter, executive vice president and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide, which is aimed at children age 2 to 7. "We have been amazed at how quickly kids have embraced this new technology. We're talking billions of minutes spent watching." The show can be seen on the Watch Disney Junior app on November 24. Then early next year, the show will migrate to cable and satellite TV. The free Disney app lets kids watch some live events and programs on demand.
Apple TV 6.0 update now available, adds iTunes Radio support, AirPlay from iCloud and more
It's been expected, but now an AppleTV update has arrived. The new 6.0 firmware adds support for iTunes Radio and purchases from the iTunes Music Store. In addition, updating adds podcast syncing, viewing of shared photo streams and AirPlay from iCloud. This update gets the AppleTV feature parity with iOS 7. The new firmware also upgrades the AirPlay wireless streaming feature, so you can now play iTunes store-purchased content on other AppleTVs. The download and install was very slow for me today, likely because Apple servers are slammed with all the other updates people are doing with new iPhones and in upgrading devices to iOS 7. Apple has been enhancing the AppleTV software recently, and has added new apps for Vevo, The Weather Channel, Disney Channel and other content sources. To get the update on your AppleTV, go to Settings > General and select "Update Software." This update works on the second- and third-generation Apple TVs.
Comcast, Disney TV deal opens up access on multiple screens, tightens VOD strings
A renewal of the carriage agreement between Disney and Comcast has extended the cable company's "TV Everywhere" model, allowing it to offer customers access to "70 services" including all the ABC, Disney and ESPN channels you can name on their TVs, computers and mobile devices. Comcast's blog post notes this access extends both in and outside of the home, a major sticking point for most of the live TV streaming apps offered by cable and satellite companies (with the obvious exception of Dish Network and its Sling integration) so far. Other news mentioned in the press release (included after the break) is that the ABC video on-demand access on Comcast's cable boxes is fast-forward disabled -- no ad skipping. Other than the existing WatchESPN which Comcast customers will now have access to, there are also WatchDisneyChannel, WatchDisneyXD and WatchDisneyJunior services on the way, a part of disney's own multiscreen initiative called TV+. One other note is that for the first time the deal covers retransmission fees for ABC-owned local stations, which used to be free. There's no word on exactly how much money is changing hands as a result, but we'll probably be able to look at our cable bills in the future and see the effect -- hopefully being able to pull in the latest Grey's Anatomy episodes on the go is worth it.
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus 3D coming to Starz HD July 26
Put fears of missing the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour debut on Disney Channel July 26 at 8 p.m. aside as Starz has announced it will also air the flick, an hour later in SD & HD. Disney hasn't mentioned if the concert will be in HD on its high definition network, so this may give fans (we know you're out there) a chance to check it out before the Blu-ray disc hits shelves in August. It looks like anaglyph (red/blue) technology is what's bringing the 3D, for the necessary goofy looking glasses, either pick them up in a Wal-mart while supplies last or make your own following instructions on the Starz website.
Blackstar environment art makes our sci-fi hearts melt
Spacetime Studios has certainly been hard at work developing their tasty looking sci-fi MMO Blackstar. How do we know this? Well, RPG Vault recently got a look at three pieces of concept art for the game and they all look exquisite. It's just refreshing to see a sci-fi space MMO with such lovingly saturated color. It's a shame that our header images are only so big, otherwise we'd plaster these pieces of art all over the place like a young tween girl obsessed with Disney Channel personalities.Each of the three images are accompanied by some intriguing descriptions of the harrowing vistas seen. We highly recommend reading them if you're hankering for a digital bite of what will surely be even more amazing in rendered form. Obviously, we here at Massively fully support the design, development and proliferation of non-fantasy MMOs. While do we love our swords n' sorcercy -- as its known to be called by geeks of certain hailings -- there's a powerful cry of joy that spreads from the Massively HQ whenever a sci-fi MMO as promising as Blackstar continues unabated.
Barbie Girls Online: Been there, done that, got the tiara
How will you ever tell your little girl that her friend Jane is a special VIP in Barbie Girls Online, but you won't even give her a dented copper tiara? Jane's tiara is made of diamonds, platinum and unicorn hair! Your daughter: No tiara. You: resented in real life. But you're a good mommy or daddy, and you'll buy your little girl her VIP membership and her tiara will be gold, with rubies, because you love her just that much. Welcome to the wonderful world of getting to your wallet through your children. It's not entirely new; Kid-oriented web sites such as Webkinz and Neopets have offered dolls with codes for use on their website for some years now, but they were real dolls, and the special perks on the website were theirs forever. They had something to keep when the computer was off. Now, your daughter's tenuous reign as VIP lasts only so long as you keep paying for a VIP membership. (Barbie Girls Online also requires a Barbie-shaped dongle/MP3 player to be plugged into the computer for full access but is not required for most of the site).
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.]
Disney Channel brings its goods to the XBLM
Just can't get enough Hannah Montana? Feelin' the need to watch hours upon hours of Suite Life of Zack and Cody? Well, you're in luck fellow fanboys, because yesterday the Disney Channel lovingly placed some of their television and movie content onto the U.S. Video Marketplace. Announced this past December during CES, Disney and Microsoft's XBVM deal has come to fruition as brand new Disney content makes its way to the Marketplace including the oh so popular tweeny bop musical shenanigans of High School Musical. Admit it, you have a weak spot for the happy-happy Disney Channel content they're serving up. Don't deny your urge.[Via Gamerscore Blog]
High School Musical 2's HD debut is exclusively on DirecTV
Since the most-watched basic cable event ever simply could not be left in standard def, DirecTV is airing High School Musical 2 in HD on August 24. The exclusive broadcast will include three high definition airings with 5.1 surround audio beginning at 6 p.m. If you're somehow unaware of the High School Musical series phenomenon, this is likely caused by not being a girl between the ages of 9-15, or somehow related to one. This preview is just a taste of what to expect when Disney Channel HD launches on DirecTV in early 2008, or when High School Musical 2 is released on Blu-ray in December. We're sure that Zac Efron, Corbin Bleu and the rest are exactly what you had in mind for your new HDTV.
Sirius delights the kiddies with SCV1 backseat TV tuner
Sirius is seriously on a roll today. Clearly not content with debuting its Stiletto 2 and Sportster 4 portable receivers, the satellite powerhouse has officially announced its SCV1, aka Backseat TV, aka The Child-Silencer (our name). If you've ever been on a road-trip with a couple of bundles of joy, you'll understand how helpful this particular technology could be. The new receiver is able to grab both radio and TV signals, allowing it to pull down Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network on TV screens in the backseat (for the joy bundles) while it streams music or talk up front (for you). The system offers a "kid friendly" remote for controlling Backseat content, while the "adult" section is operated by a separate, wired remote. The radio can also be controlled via Sirius-compatible aftermarket headunits. The SCV1 will be available in the 4th quarter of 2007, and will run you $299.99 for the unit, plus an additional $6.99 for TV service each month -- but hey -- that's a small price to pay for a quiet drive.
