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Dallas Mavericks are the latest pro team to accept cryptocurrency
You don't just have to attend Sacramento Kings games if you're itching to spend some digital money on a pro sports event. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has confirmed (both to Bloomberg and on Twitter) that his basketball team will start accepting bitcoin and ethereum for ticket purchases during the 2018-2019 NBA season. It'll also accept tokens from companies with "business relationships." In short: if you've benefited from the bitcoin boom, you can probably score some courtside seats.
Twitter's week of beef is something we need more of
Despite rapper beefs being an unofficial feature of Twitter practically since it launched, this week alone has taken things to a new level. Less than 24 hours after Neil deGrasse-Tyson tangled with B.o.B over (of all things) whether or not the Earth is round, Kanye West decided to call out Wiz Khalifa over criticizing the title of his upcoming album and his usage of "kk." ( Hit the link for a recap, but if you missed it: Kanye decided the letters were a shot at his wife when Wiz was just pushing his own Khalifa Kush. Things have now been settled after intervention by their ex-in-common Amber Rose.) At turns hilarious ("I went to look at your twitter and you were wearing cool pants ... #Wizwearscoolpants"); dismissive ("You have distracted from my creative process"); and incredibly disappointing ("you let a stripper trap you"); it was a moment that not only belongs on Twitter, it belongs to Twitter. It's time to embrace that.
Daily Update for October 30, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Mark Cuban on the Apple TV's possible future
HDNet founder and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has an opinion about just about everything, so it's not surprising that he talked to Adweek about Apple's "hobby" product -- the Apple TV. Cuban doesn't think Apple's out to "blow up cable" by cutting deals directly with content providers. Says Cuban, "Apple has always been about leveraging content to sell hardware and software. In order to get a return on a pay-up-front-for-content deal, they would have to sell a lot of high-margin products that have yet to be introduced" What does Cuban think would be Apple's best bet? A set-top box with a cool user interface, about which he says "Having a set-top box that uses a TV-ready version of iOS that changes the paradigm for user interfaces would create a platform from which Apple could sell content and integrate new options. I don't think there is any doubt that if Apple released a set-top box that supported authentication for multichannel video programming distributors (like cable and satellite companies), it would be a huge success." Like him or hate him, Cuban's opinions are worth reading. [via CNET]
HDNet joins up with AEG, CAA and Ryan Seacrest to become AXS TV this summer
It held on as long as it could, but HDNet is following the path of INHD (which became Mojo before disappearing entirely) and Discovery HD Theater (now Velocity) by rebranding itself, and will see itself morph into AXS TV this summer. Of course, HDNet has always focused on "lifestyle programming" and from the looks of it the new channel (pronounced: access) will be very similar, at least for now. HDNet is bringing programming like HDNet Fights, Dan Rather Reports, its concerts and more to the joint venture, which will be combined with its partners AEG, CAA and Ryan Seacrest Media. If HDNet is currently on your programming lineup AXS TV will simply take its place when it launches, and Dish Network actually plans to increase the channel's distribution by adding it to the America's Top 120 package. If you're distressed over the future of Art Mann Presents, check out the press release after the break or a Q&A on the site for more information about what's happening to Mark Cuban's baby.
ESPN 3D adds the NBA Finals to its broadcast schedule
Take that Mark Cuban. Everyone's favorite HD network owning billionaire called 3D sports DOA after deciding there weren't many people asking about a 3D Super Bowl, but now ESPN's 3D network has queued up its second championship of the year, adding the NBA Finals to its previously scheduled slate of regular season and playoff broadcasts. ESPN 3D has been broadcasting around the clock for a few days now (unless you're watching DirecTV) but while repeats make for easy demo material, if 3D is going to go from an interesting sideshow to an in-demand feature it will take more high profile events like these. If the Mavericks manage to slide past the Lakers or Spurs for a deep playoff run, we'll check back with our friend Mark to see how he'd watch the game if he didn't already have a few seats permanently staked out in the arena.
Netflix removing 'Add to DVD Queue' button from TV streamers, execs debate the company's future
Still mad over news that Netflix is removing the "Add to DVD Queue" button from media streamers? Then you're probably a commenter on the corporate blog but just in case you were wondering, it appears this doesn't apply to the mobile apps most of us manage our queues with when away from the official site, Netflix PR says it's just devices that connect to the TV. Curious decisions like this aside, The Hollywood Reporter recently ran a fun story describing what various Hollywood executives make of the company's chances. For its part the company plans to keep on expanding and adding more content, like the recent deal with ABC/Disney. TBS CEO Phil Kent made a thinly veiled threat to not license any content available on Netflix, while HDNet's Mark Cuban (who recently thought Netflix was set to implode) subscribes to the opposing camp's newsletter, saying Netflix is "absolutely a friend to producers and distributors -- they are found money that is monetizing library assets as DVD sales fall." What's your call?
Mark Cuban foretells Netflix demise, sees a future filled with on-demand video
To call Mark Cuban eccentric would be akin to describing the ocean as wet, but what's not so often acknowledged about the Dallas Mavericks owner is the sharp mind and commercial nous that have gotten him to the position of hiring and firing millionaire ball players. One of Mark's recent blog posts, entitled "The future of TV ... is TV," got the attention of NewTeeVee, who sought to debunk his contention that VOD (video on demand) services from cable operators would become the primary means by which we consume digital media in the future. They cite the growing success story of Netflix's digital distribution model, as well as the 12 million hours of March Madness video consumed via CBS' web portal, in arguing that web streaming is indeed the great new hotness. Mark's response tackles Netflix head on, and points out that the company's rapid growth is about to start working against it, with movie studios and other content providers likely to jack up prices and demand further concessions from the streaming service as it turns into a real competitor to cable companies. According to him, Netflix is presently getting its content at prices that are unsustainable, and his prognostication is that content owners seeking bigger levies -- together with the expansion of VOD choice, which he sees as foolproof compared to the overwhelming complexity that web streaming entails -- will lead to Netflix passing costs on to the consumers and losing out to cable operators. Irrespective of whether you agree with him, the whole exchange is well worth a read. Use the links below to get filled in.
Discovery searches for name for 3D channel, 3DNet is on the list
Oh now we just can't believe this one, do you mean to tell us that Mark Cuban had the insight to create HDNet, but didn't bother to trademark 3DNet? Apparently, because Broadcasting & Cable is reporting that on January 5th Discovery Communications trademarked the name 3DNet. As we already let you know, next year Discovery will launch a 24x7 3D network with a mixture of non-fiction, sports, films and content from the libraries of its partners, Sony and IMAX. We can't wait to hear what our old friend Mark has to say about this one, but maybe as much as he loved HD, he doesn't really get 3D yet -- yeah, we doubt it.
Mark Cuban promises the first 1080 NHL & NBA arena next season
It should be no wonder Mark Cuban (got some Jerry Jones envy?) is promising the first NHL & NBA arena with 1080-line digital scoreboards. While 1080p has been well entrenched in scoreboards for the outdoor sports (like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees) it appears the winter brethren has been slacking, but with the Mavericks and Stars not competing in tonight's finals action, plans to upgrade American Airlines Center ahead of the 2009-10 seasons are already underway, with four 18- by 30-foot video scoreboards coming to the center display and two 24- by 72-foot video walls at the north and south ends. If that's not enough, the sounds are getting a makeover too, with a "state-of-the-art concert quality sound system" bring a digital six speaker linear system to next years attendees, though we should all get a (3D?) look during the 2010 NBA All-Star Game next February.[Via Dallas Observer & Mark Cuban]
Cuban invests in Carmike Cinemas, clearly expects 3D sporting events to thrive
Mark Cuban may be up and down on the future of internet video, but he's evidently quite confident in the future of 3D cinema -- or 3D sporting events in cinemas, at least. The internet / media / basketball tycoon has put his money where his mouth is by acquiring a 9.4% stake in Carmike Cinemas. Only Cuban himself fully understands the nearly $3 million investment, but he was quoted as saying that he is "trying to expand" the live 3D broadcast-to-a-theater business. Looking back over the course of 2008, we're astounded at the amount of traction that 3D has gained, and while many may assume that live 3D sporting events in cinemas is nothing more than a gimmick, we guess we can't possibly be surprised if it ends up taking off.
HDNet, HDNet Movies coming to Comcast
Add two stations to Project Infinity, Comcast has -- after several years of battling -- signed up Mark Cuban's HDNet and HDNet Movies, plus a free video on-demand package. Specifics on when the channels should go live in your area weren't noted, only that the cable company plans to increase its carriage of the two networks over the next year. Hopefully Comcast subscribers will get a (non-bandwidth starved) peek at Dan Rather, HDNet Fights, early movie premieres and more before tru2way and switched digital video roll out, but we can't be sure.
Mark Cuban figures out how to "save internet video"
We won't restate the irony found in an internet tycoon bashing online TV (oops...), but Mark Cuban has seemingly come up with a few brilliant ideas since claiming that internet video was a failing enterprise back in March. Essentially, Mr. Cuban reckons that HDTV currently being delivered over the internet to LCD monitors around the globe should actually not be transmitted via the compressed methods currently used. Rather, he asserts that we should "move the video cloud to the node and encode and insert into traditional video distribution systems." In other words, deliver internet TV to your existing cable / satellite set-top-box, giving end-users the ability to create playlists and customize shows. We'll admit, we're warming to the idea in general, but trapping users into a cable / satellite bill isn't that appealing for those who lavish the ability to watch some of their HD via OTA and some of it via the 'net. Still, we're sure he's got that niggle all figured out too -- but why would he reveal his secrets before taking it to the bank?[Thanks, VANBROTHERS]
Internet tycoon Mark Cuban has little faith in internet video
It's been quite some time since we've seen Mark Cuban ramble on about a subject that mattered to us, but his latest post concerning the viability (or lack thereof, we should say) of internet video certainly caught our eye. Essentially, Mr. Maverick himself asserts that due to the open (and therefore unstandardized) nature of the internet, it's impossible to ensure that programming is being delivered up to par. Additionally, few Americans (and even fewer Earthlings) have an internet connection in their home with enough bandwidth to really enjoy unadulterated HD content the way we're used to experiencing it via our HD STBs. Still, we can't help but respectfully disagree that the current instability of the internet (in terms of content engineering) as a content medium means that it's doomed. Of all people, Mr. Cuban should realize that the demand for VIP slots to watch the NCAA Tournament online has grown significantly year after year, and there are more material outlets on the internet today than a single satellite / cable / fiber lineup could ever provide. Getting this plethora of content to high-def, however, remains the challenge, but we aren't giving up on the world wide web just yet -- far from it, actually.
Fans react to 3D Mavericks / Clippers matchup
Under normal circumstances, we tend to give 3D a hard time around here, but it's hard to deny the strides the technology has made of late in an attempt to move beyond being a gimmick and into a desirable product. It seems that hundreds of NBA fans that packed the Magnolia Theater just days ago were quite impressed with the first regular season matchup to be aired in 3D. Those in attendance were able to catch a commercial-free 3D broadcast of the Dallas Mavericks versus the LA Clippers courtesy of two Sony 4K projectors and a set of gaudy glasses. Unfortunately, we're not sure if the one-time event will blossom into something more, but feel free to tap the read link for more opinions and a couple more snapshots.[Via AboutProjectors]
FSN Southwest preps first NBA regular season 3D broadcast
It's good to see those Brits aren't the only ones getting 3D HD sports action this season, as PACE is back and hooking its Fusion 3D tech to an NBA game yet again. For the first time during the regular season (after last year's All-Star Game and a Finals game) -- and unsurprisingly with a connection to Engadget HD friend Mark Cuban (where's our invite man?) -- the March 25 game between the Dallas Mavericks and L.A. Clippers can be viewed live at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, or across town in the Magnolia Theatre with Sony's SXRD 3D projection system beamed onto an 18x42 foot screen for VIPs and 100 lucky fans who can win entry on mavs.com. Now if they could just find a way to simulate buying tickets for way over face value from eBay or StubHub in the theatre, it would be just like going to a real game.
HDNet premieres short comedy series 'The All-for-Nots' March 9
The All-for-Nots kick off a 24-city tour of America March 9, when their show premieres on HDNet at 7:45 p.m. A comedy series made up of 7-10 minute episodes, this fictional documentary -- sounds a lot like a Flight of the Conchords / The Office mash-up to us -- will serve as a lead in to the channel's Sunday Night Concert Series. EngadgetHD friend Mark Cuban thinks viewers will tune in via cellphone and Youtube networks where the episodes will be posted by its studio (Vuguru, notably founded by Michael Eisner's The Tornante Company), and catch up on the shorts in HD and 5.1 surround sound on the weekend. After quarterlife set a record for being yanked after one episode, we're not overly optimistic, but out of the ratings obsessed culture of network TV, maybe The AFN has a shot.
HDNet Fights teams up with IFL, M-1 for New Year's Eve
HDNet Fights, the fledgling MMA company under Mark Cuban's HDNet (duh) has announced a couple of partnerships that should get its programming off to a great start for 2008. First, HDNet Fights will be broadcasting the International Fight League's World Grand Prix Finals on December 29, bringing the IFL its first HD broadcast. A few days later, the company will be kicking off a four-event contract with M-1 fighter, top-ranked Fedor Emelianenko (pictured). This event will take place on New Year's Eve and will mark the beginning of a planned 24 fight cards for HDNet Fights in 2008. No doubt, UFC is the big player in MMA, but with its open-door policy to working with other fight leagues, HDNet is coming out swinging!
The definition of an HD channel?
This has become the year of new HD channels and while we can't get enough HD, Mark Cuban brings up a good point on his blog. There are lots of new HD channels, but not so much actual HD. Of course this is nothing new, even the earliest so-called HD channels showed mostly SD material, and even today most HD network show as much SD as HD. There are of course a few 24x7 HD networks, but most of them are inundated with reruns. This persistent problem seems to be getting worse as we'll soon have one HD network that isn't HD at all, and others that don't plan to do much HD in their first year. Don't get us wrong we're not complaining, but we think now might be a good time for the industry to come up with a definition of an HD channel.
Mark Cuban announces HDNet Fights
Mark Cuban is looking to take HDNet into the MMA fight game. Yesterday Cuban announced HDNet Fights, a company that will air its mixed martial arts fights under the namesake network. The first event is scheduled for October 13, and HDNet plans to broadcast fights every week. MMA is growing very rapidly in the United States, with the Ultimate Fighting Championship being the big dog. Cuban has at least three things going for him in this venture: deep pockets, a proven track record dealing with foreign athletic talent, and HD broadcast experience. When asked about what fighters might be coming to the new organization, including PRIDE heavyweight champ Fedor Emelianenko, Cuban said HDNet Fights is "talking to anyone and everyone."
