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MTV iOS app relaunched with full-episode streaming, more video content
While MTV has had a presence on Apple's mobile platform to some extent, its parent company, Viacom, is now approaching things differently by increasing and improving the video content found in its iOS apps. MTV is renaming its WatchWith app as, well, MTV, and it's adding on some new functionality to go with the popular second-screen features. The most notable trait of the newfangled iOS app is the ability to stream episodes from select MTV shows in full, though, in order to do so, users will need to be subscribed to one of the participating cable providers -- AT&T U-verse, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS being among them. The Reality Television Music Television network says it's also boosting the app's on-demand repertoire, giving viewers access to a slew of sneak peaks, bonus clips and other original content. And, hey, we'll take as much Awkward as we can get.
Viacom and Time Warner Cable call truce, TWC TV mobile apps will stream Colbert after all
Good news ahoy if you've liked Time Warner Cable's TWC TV streaming app but were frustrated with content providers pulling channels over licensing rights: the cable giant and Viacom have reached a settlement that will see Viacom's channels return to your Android or iOS gear. Comedy Central, CMT, MTV and other channels will be back in the next several weeks, and the two sides even managed to bury the hatched over "unrelated business matters," according to a joint statement. Just what led to the about-face is being kept secret, although Viacom's tendency to sue over retransmission rights in the digital realm raises the possibility that TWC had to fork over an extra amount. At least now you can watch The Daily Show on your iPad knowing your cable provider and the studio are singing "Kumbaya."
Palladia / MHD European launch slated for September
Europeans eagerly awaiting more high definition concerts (updated weekly, still) rejoice, as MTV is launching a European HD channel next month. Although it goes unnamed, based on the content mentioned (concerts, special music events and festivals) and the relaunch of Palladia (the station formerly known as MHD) happening at the same time we've been able to reach the surprising and stunning realization that they are pretty much one and the same. In addition to being underwhelmed by an incredibly limited amount of HD content in rotation at any given time, our HDTV-equipped friends in German speaking markets can look forward to Nick programs on the weekend. D-d-d-dora, Dora.
MHD / Palladia name change official September 1, but no less confusing
MTV explains renaming MHD to "Palladia" as conveying a sense of spectacle, "a grand stage, a vast arena and the excitement of live musical performances." Whether or not you buy that, it looks like Viacom is giving the channel's content a much-needed refresh, promising a new concert every Saturday at 9 p.m., and a collection of rock movies airing every Thursday night at 9. The first week of September is Outdoor Music Week, bringing home outdoor performances from a host of superstars, starting with Glastonbury 2008 on Monday, September 1. New name or now, two years later we're still caught on the one new concert per week schedule, hopefully the grand stage sees an expansion sometime soon.
Rock Band Guitar Prices PS3 vs 360
An anonymous employee from Game Crazy sent a tip and scan to Joystiq of their pricing for Harmonix's Rock Band peripherals for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. The microphone and drum kit cost $29.99 and $79.99, respectively. Unfortunately, the guitar controller has a price discrepancy between the two platforms, with the PS3's wireless guitar costing $59.99 and the 360's $79.99, a twenty dollar difference.As the story goes, Red Octane supposedly couldn't get a wireless guitar because using Microsoft's proprietary wireless technology would jack the price on the controller. Could the PS3's wireless technology be easier and cheaper to implement that would cause it to be cheaper than the 360's? Harmonix denied their being any discrepancy when asked that question, so we'll have to wait for either an announcement on pricing or some more concrete evidence from retailers.
Joystiq plays Rock Band, now with cow bell!
Of all the wonderful things we've learned about Rock Band, we were completely unprepared for the bombshell dropped in Joystiq's hands-on with the game. It is truly the best thing we have heard in a long time. Yes, that's right, the microphone not only doubles as a tambourine, it also serves as a cow bell. If you're playing Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper," you can bet your booties that you'll be applying some judicious cow bell. Of course, Joystiq's hands-on preview contains much more information, and you really should read it, but it is our job to extract the essence of all that we cover. If there be anything purer than cow bell, we haven't seen it.%Gallery-4604%
Rock Band wireless guitar on GameStop.com
As a general rule, GameStop is perfect for coming up with good video game rumors. In fact, it's practically a rumor generator. That said, this particular product listing is very interesting. Just yesterday, it was announced that Harmonix was working with MTV and Electronic Arts to create Rock Band (think Guitar Hero with a full band). Now we see this listing on GameStop for a wireless guitar controller ($80? Ouch). We have no way of knowing if the controller would be specifically for Rock Band, but we would certainly hope not, considering Guitar Hero II has yet to be blessed with such a peripheral for the Xbox 360. The listing has a ship date of November 1st of this year. Do we really have to wait that long to get some wireless guitar action?And that's when the GameStop rumor train comes full circle, as apparently you can already buy 360 wireless guitars used (they're even back ordered). We'll just have to wait and see how accurate the Rock Band guitar listing turns out to be. Keep your fingers crossed.[Thanks, Shafnitz]
MHD (MTV HD) picks Mitsubishi as a partner
Mitsubishi has signed up to be the charter sponsor for MTV's high definition channel, due to start broadcasting next year from Vail, Colorado. This means plenty of Mitsubishi televisions on the set as well as "powered by Mitsubishi" lead-in's galore.This is no surprise since Mitsubishi and MTV previously collaborated on their 25x40' high definition screen in Times Square. Also included in the press release was information on two planned programs for the channel "MHD Top 10" and "MHD Video Stew". Yeah whatever man, just tell me when Amerie is on in high definition, I will be there with popcorn and a Big Gulp.
