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NBCUniversal to launch ad-supported TV streaming service in 2020
NBCUniversal isn't going to twiddle its thumbs while competitors like CBS dive deeper into streaming video. The broadcaster has unveiled plans for an ad-supported streaming service that will launch sometime in early 2020. It'll be 'free' if you watch TV through a paid provider with NBCU access (Comcast and Sky included), but you'll have the option of subscribing if you're either a cord cutter or just want to eliminate ads.
NBCUniversal is using machine learning to make ads more relevant
Advertisers have been targeting their messages to relevant media for as long as advertising has existed. Kids' TV channels are awash with toy commercials, breaks during wedding shows are full of ads for honeymoon destinations and so on. But now, NBCUniversal has adopted a new machine learning tool that makes the placement of ads on TV more exact, relevant and timely.
NBC's WatchBack video app rewards you for sharing viewing habits
The rumors of NBCUniversal launching a rewards-based streaming video app were true. The network has released a free, currently iOS-only WatchBack app that offers a chance to win prizes if you create a profile (complete with viewer preferences) and watch certain full-length shows, such as E!'s Ashlee+Evan. At the moment, each featured episode gives 10 viewers $100 worth of points they can redeem at outlets like Amazon, Best Buy, Macy's and Target.
NBC Universal might reward you for streaming videos
NBC Universal is reportedly planning a different kind of online video service: one that pays you watch content and not the other way around. According to The Information, the Comcast-owned media company is thinking of launching a streaming service known internally as "Watch Back" that will give out rewards you can redeem for gift certificates. It will reportedly feature TV shows and web series not only from NBC Universal's networks, such as NBC and Bravo, but also from other sources.
How to watch the World Cup 2018
For soccer (er, football) fans everywhere, the next four weeks are going to be all about the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The globe's biggest sporting event, which takes place every four years, is kicking off Thursday, June 14th, when host nation Russia takes on Saudi Arabia at 11AM ET. And yes, we know the USA team won't be there, but football is bigger than just one nation. So even if you won't get to cheer on the Stars and Stripes this year, there's still plenty to look forward to at the World Cup.
Jeff Bezos announces Amazon is picking up 'The Expanse'
It's been a few days since reports indicated Amazon was close to a deal that would extend the life of sci-fi series The Expanse, and tonight at a National Space Society event Jeff Bezos made it official. Alcon Entertainment makes the show, which is currently airing season three on Syfy, and said in a statement: "We couldn't be more excited that The Expanse is going to continue on Amazon Prime!" The press release confirmed season four, while Bezos said the show will be a Prime Original "for the coming seasons."
Twitch's 48-hour 'Saturday Night Live' marathon begins May 17th
Twitch is no stranger to TV show marathons, but it's venturing into uncharted territory this week. The livestreaming service is partnering with NBC on a 48-hour Saturday Night Live marathon starting May 17th at 6PM Eastern. The wall-to-wall run on the TwitchPresents channel will include a mix of classic and recent sketches going back to the series' very beginning, including a few from SNL season finale host Tina Fey. Twitch hasn't provided the full list of sketches as we write this, but it's guaranteed that Bruce Dickinson (yes, the Bruce Dickinson) will make an appearance.
Google partners with NBC Universal to create VR experiences
Soon you'll be able to jump into VR experiences on YouTube based on shows from NBC and its affiliates. NBC Universal and Google will collaborate on 10 multi-episode projects. First to come will be a backstage tour of the dog rescue reality show Vanderpump Rules with more to follow in the coming weeks.
The next 'Doom' movie won't play in theaters
Do you remember the original Doom movie from 2005? You'd be forgiven if you didn't -- while it had recognizable stars (most notably Dwayne Johnson), it was a critical and commercial flop that only really found life after it left the big screen. However, that isn't stopping Hollywood from giving it another shot. After years of rumors, NBCUniversal has confirmed to Variety that a new Doom movie is in the works, no doubt meant to capitalize on the game series' revival. Actress Nina Bergman has already revealed that she'll play a role in the movie, which reportedly has a "super cool director."
NBC will cut back on ads during primetime to lure more viewers
If you've been irritated by the increase of commercials into primetime programming, you're not alone. Now, NBCUniversal is doing something about it across its networks. The company is cutting back on primetime advertising during original programming. The number of ads in a commercial break will be reduced by 20 percent, while the amount of ad time in a given show will decrease by 10 percent, according to Variety.
Lawmakers call on US to extend conditions of Comcast-NBC merger
When Comcast acquired NBCUniversal back in 2011, the deal came with strings attached: among others, it had to abide by 2010-era net neutrality rules, provide affordable internet to low-income families and avoid discriminating against rivals. Well, all those conditions have lifted... and that's not making some officials happy. FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Senator Richard Blumenthal have written an op-ed calling on the government to either extend those conditions or institute new rules relevant to the modern era. The communications giant has discovered ways of using its resources to "harm consumers and competition," the lawmakers argued, and some of those have violated the FCC's terms for the merger.
Hulu Live TV subscribers can customize their Olympic coverage
The 2018 Winter Olympics are just around the corner and while anyone with access to NBC channels will be able to watch the competitions and events, those with Hulu Live TV will get to build a personalized viewing experience tailored to their interests. Starting today, Hulu will let those with a Live TV subscription pick which Olympic sports they're most interested in and from there, it will customize users' UIs based on those preferences. For example, users selecting luge and freestyle skiing as their favorites will see coverage of those events appear up top in the Olympic Winter Games section of the Hulu UI. They'll also see replays, highlights and athlete profiles surfaced.
NBC brings two Winter Olympics preview shows to Netflix
You won't have to stay glued to NBC to watch all of its Winter Olympics coverage -- although it won't necessarily be the coverage you want. The network is offering a two-part PyeongChang preview series, Go For the Gold and Meet Team USA, that will be available on Netflix between January 15th and the end of the Olympics on February 25th. The episodes will explore the American team's athletes and their stories, including well-known competitors like Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White.
Yahoo Sports starts streaming NFL playoff games this weekend
Last month, Verizon signed a new deal with the NFL, exchanging its rights to be the exclusive wireless carrier for NFL games for rights to air games on a wider range of devices. That has led to a few new options for NFL fans when it comes to how they can watch games on their phones and today, Verizon announced that playoff games will be available for viewing on the Yahoo Sports app starting this weekend as will the Super Bowl next month. "Consumers in the US will be able to watch all four playoff games with one click on the Yahoo Sports app," Oath CEO Tim Armstrong told CNBC.
ESPN lands mobile streaming rights to ‘Monday Night Football’
Ever since Verizon traded in its status as the exclusive wireless carrier for streaming live NFL games in order to gain streaming rights across multiple platforms, others have sought deals with the NFL to stream games to smartphones. Earlier this week, NBCUniversal signed a deal with the NFL allowing it to stream Sunday Night Football on all mobile devices through TV Everywhere starting in 2018. Today, ESPN announces that it has also reached a deal with the NFL and it will now add smartphones to the devices through which ESPN subscribers can stream Monday Night Football.
NBC will stream 'Sunday Night Football' to your phone in 2018
The end to Verizon's NFL streaming exclusive is already paying dividends. NBCUniversal has cut a deal with the NFL that gives it the rights to stream Sunday Night Footbal through TV Everywhere on smartphones, not just bigger-screened devices like PCs, tablets and TVs. The deal takes effect starting with the 2018 season, so you might not get to watch the Super Bowl on your handset in February. So long as you have TV service, though, you'll at least get to tune into regular season games throughout 2018.
Nobody knows if Snapchat shows are actually successful
Snapchat hasn't been coy about its obsession with making original video content. Snap Inc., its parent company, sees TV-like programming as the holy grail and key to its long-term success. The quick, raw, disappearing videos that made Snapchat popular with teens are no longer enough to keep users locked in. Especially as Instagram has started stealing its most popular features, like Stories. Snapchat won't admit it, but Facebook may have inadvertently driven its push into original programming. Conquering that world won't be easy, and right now there are more questions than answers about whether Snapchat shows are working and how viable they are.
Chinese firm nabs social video app Musical.ly for as much as $1 billion
The popular teen lip-syncing app Musical.ly has been purchased by Chinese firm Bytedance -- the company behind China's major news aggregating service Jinri Toutiao. The details of the deal haven't been disclosed but sources told the Wall Street Journal that the app sold for somewhere between $800 million and $1 billion.
Snap and NBC form a studio just for mobile-only TV shows
Snap, which is Snapchat's parent company, has been having a little bit of trouble attracting new users to its service. That may be why the company is teaming up with NBCUniversal to produce content for entertainment specifically on apps. The new as-yet-unnamed studio, owned half by Snap and half by NBCUniversal, signed independent filmmakers Mark and Jay Duplass as its first creative partner.
Every ‘Futurama’ episode hits Hulu on October 16th
Starting next week, all 140 episodes and four films of Futurama will be available on Hulu, Variety reports. The streaming service announced in July that it struck a deal with 20th Century Fox to be the exclusive streaming home to Bob's Burgers and would host Fox's slate of animated shows, including Futurama. The show stopped streaming on Netflix entirely at the beginning of July.