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Netflix to double its original programming in 2016
On Monday, Netflix head of content Ted Sarandos announced that the company will double the number of original shows it produces in 2016. Next year, Netflix will deliver 31 original series compared to 16 in 2015. Additionally, the company reportedly plans to release 10 feature films, 12 documentaries, 10 stand-up specials and a whopping 30 children's programs to enhance its For Kids section. This marks a significant shift in Netflix's strategy and puts it on equal footing with traditional premium cable heavyweights like HBO and Showtime. Sarandos argues that since original programming grants Netflix full exclusivity and global rights forever, they're a better investment than haggling for outside content. Such a change in thinking could prove vital to the company's continued international expansion.[Image Credit: Getty]
Chromecast adds video from Sling TV, NBA and more
Besides rolling out two brand-new devices and a redesigned app, Google is bringing a slew of new video services (and Spotify) to the now 20-million-strong Chromecast ecosystem. Google announced onstage during today's Nexus event that Sling TV is coming in the next few weeks. The NBA and MLS are also adding Cast support, while DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket (which already supported Chromecast) is adding a new feature allowing users to scrub through stats and other info on their phones while games are streaming on the TV. Get all the news from today's Google event right here.
Cablevision will sell streaming CBS, Showtime to cord-cutters
Need more evidence that cable TV is giving way to internet TV? Cablevision just announced its new TV deal with CBS includes a provision for it to sell CBS All Access and Showtime streaming to its internet-only Optimum customers. Cablevision is already offering internet customers a way to bundle HBO Now or Hulu streaming with their bill, and now this adds another option. There's no pricing info for CBS or Showtime yet, but if it follows the setup for 'cord-cutting' with HBO and Hulu, we wouldn't expect any deep discounting. While Dish Network and Verizon chose one path to wrap up deals for internet TV during their usual negotiations with channels and content providers, Cablevision is going another, and even Comcast has its own plans. Welcome to the new look of cable.
WSJ: Hulu's working on a premium tier with no ads
Would you kick in a few extra bucks to watch Hulu without those grating pre-roll ads, because it might become an option pretty soon. Anonymous tipsters have told the Wall Street Journal that the company is working on "Project NOAH," which stands for "NO Ads Hulu," a new pricing tier that ditches ads outright. The people familiar with the matter haven't gone into specifics, but suggest that the offering could be priced between $12 and $14 a month, a fairly big leap from the $7.99 a regular subscription costs. Then again, considering that the Showtime add-on is a further $8.99 a month, we could easily imagine a premium Hulu package that went for a round $20.
Showtime's cable-free TV streaming is here
Eager to watch shows like Penny Dreadful or Ray Donovan without either subscribing to cable or buying the shows outright? You can, if you live in the US. Showtime has launched its promised stand-alone streaming service on Apple devices and Roku players for $11 per month, and you can also access it through either Hulu or PlayStation Vue. Sign up and you'll have both on-demand access as well as live access to both East and West coast feeds, preventing your New York friends from spoiling the plot when you live in California. There's no mention of when the dedicated Android, console and smart TV apps are coming. Still, you now have one more way to watch a premium TV channel after you've cut the cord.
Hulu hooks up with Showtime to make internet TV more like cable
Showtime is following HBO's lead and launching an internet-only version of its service in July, but cutting the cable doesn't mean the bundle is going away. In a first for Hulu, it's adding the network as a premium option similar to the way it's offered with cable TV. While Showtime by itself will be available for $11 per month on Apple TV, Roku or PlayStation Vue, $8 per month Hulu subscribers (no Plus, it dropped that name a few weeks ago) can add it for $9 and stream the network's stuff to anywhere they usually watch Hulu.
Showtime's cord-cutter service will come to Roku and Sony devices
We already know that Showtime's internet-only service is coming to Apple TV, but that's not the only home entertainment platform that's been invited to the party. The company has revealed that if you own a Roku device, one of the TVs with the hardware built in or Sony's PlayStation Vue, then you're all good, and it will launch for all three on the same day. The outfit also mentions that Showtime (yes, that's what it's called) will be the only "premium" offering that broadcasts its live East and West Coast feeds to its users, just like its Anytime apps on various platforms. No matter what device you use, you'll be asked to cough up $10.99 a month for the privilege of catching the forthcoming Twin Peaks revival. The system is due to launch "early July," although given that the new seasons of Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex premiere on July 12th, we're gonna say July 11th is a good guess.
Showtime's cord-cutter service launches in July on Apple
Showtime's standalone streaming service was tipped back in November, and now it appears we may be close to the official reveal. Variety reports CBS is prepping to announce the subscription option to temp those who've cut the cord as soon as this week -- six months after CEO Les Moonves discussed the service's 2015 arrival on an earnings call. Update: The service is official, and scheduled to launch in "early July" -- definitely in time for the new seasons of Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex on July 12th. Just like HBO Now, it's coming to Apple's iOS products first (Apple TV, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) and the web via Showtime.com. For now, any word on additional platforms and providers is "coming soon." It's just called "Showtime" and access to the app will cost $10.99, although there will be an initial 30-day free trial. That's not long enough to wait for the (once again featuring David Lynch) Twin Peaks revival, but should be good for a Dexter binge if you're so inclined.
Comcast unlocks HBO and Showtime streaming to Amazon Fire TV
Streaming services that use a cable TV subscription have an annoying wrinkle, where sometimes the provider can block them from working in places for apparently no reason at all. For Comcast customers that was the case for HBO Go and Showtime on Amazon's Fire TV and Fire TV stick, but starting today that changes. Like the agreement it reached a few months ago with Roku, Comcast is suddenly playing nice with Amazon's streaming hardware. Unfortunately, that courtesy still does not extend to Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, but according to Comcast it supports over 90 networks across 18 devices and expects that number to grow, so maybe there is hope.
HBO, Sony reportedly look for special streaming deals with ISPs
According to the Wall Street Journal, as TV services shift from the traditional outlets (antenna, cable, satellite) to the internet big names like HBO, Showtime and Sony are worried about their services running into congestion and bandwidth caps. A possible way around that, is negotiating with ISPs to have their content delivered as a "managed service", like cable-provided phone service and video on-demand. If you're thinking "isn't that what net neutrality was supposed to stop?" you're not alone -- Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch is quoted calling the potential setup a "mockery" of the rules that will go into effect soon. Even Comcast is reportedly leery of running afoul of the regulations, and it's the one that already got into a dust-up with Netflix a couple of years ago by doing exactly this with its TV app on the Xbox 360.
CBS CEO talks PlayStation Vue and standalone Showtime
CBS just announced its earnings for 2014, including $3.68 billion in revenue for Q4 (all those episodes of NCIS pay off, apparently), but its always-talkative CEO Les Moonves provided most of the interesting information. According to the NY Post's Clair Atkinson, he has confirmed that CBS has a deal with Sony to be on its new internet TV service PlayStation Vue, saying "they're paying more than everyone else" for the privilege. That probably explains why the $20 per month Sling TV is missing the network channels -- for now, "there's a path to negotiation" according to Moonves -- and why Vue may end up being more expensive.
Showtime Anytime app now available on Xbox consoles
The latest addition to Microsoft's burgeoning lineup of console media options is a Showtime app that offers both live and on-demand access to the network's programming. Those with valid subscriptions to Showtime can download the app at no charge and use it to stream unlimited hours of select, archived Showtime programming including recent hit series like Homeland and Dexter. If you find too much choice in media options paralyzing, you can instead watch either the West Coast or East Coast live feeds of Showtime through the app. Helpfully, for those who enjoy lengthy TV marathons, the Showtime Anytime app allows users to start a show on one device, pause it, then resume watching on another device (such as a smartphone or tablet) using the same app. If you don't have a Showtime subscription, but are an Xbox Live user, you will be able to download the Showtime Anytime app at no cost, but its content will be limited. Select previews of programs will be available, but no substantial programming. [Image: Showtime]
Showtime Anytime is now streaming on Xbox One
Showtime delivered its library of live and on-demand streaming to the Xbox 360 back in July, and now it's doing the same for Microsoft's latest console. Xbox One owners can now get in on the action too, as Homeland, Dexter, Californication and more are available via Showtime Anytime. As you might expect, the app plays nice with Kinect, allowing you to browse the lineup with voice and gesture controls rather than a controller or remote. It'll also let you pin whatever your current obsession is to your home screen for easy access. If you're paying for a cable subscription, access to Showtime Anytime on the console is available at no additional charge.
CBS and Dish reach TV deal that includes Showtime streaming
That was fast. Just half a day after CBS yanked its programming from Dish Network in some large cities, the two companies have reached a deal that puts those channels back in action. They're not revealing the financial side of things, but it's apparent that Dish made some concessions to both get CBS back and bolster its internet streaming plans. The satellite TV provider now has numerous Showtime rights that include Anytime access, TV Everywhere and eventual "over-the-top" (read: internet-only) service, but it also has to turn off AutoHop ad skipping on CBS shows for the first week after they air. That's not so hot if you diligently record The Good Wife on your DVR, but it's good news if you prefer to watch Showtime on your own terms. [Image credit: AP Photo/Julie Jacobson]
Chromecast gets Showtime, Starz and family-friendly games to make the holidays less tedious
So, your kids have grown into easily bored teens who would (in their own words) rather die than join your yearly holiday Scrabble tournament. Sorry about that. Maybe they'd enjoy these new Chromecast games for the family a lot better than traditional board games, though. Since they're Chromecast apps, they use your phone or tablet as a controller and the TV as a game board. The list includes titles that put a spin on classic board games (Wheel of Fortune, Hasbro's Monopoly Dash, Scrabble Blitz, Connect Four Quads and Simon Swipe), as well as Just Dance Now for those who prefer a more active game to a sedentary one. And, yes, the phone or tablet can tell if a player's putting their hands in the air or if they're being a wet blanket.
Showtime plans to follow HBO with cable-free streaming in 2015
Let's say that your premium cable-drama tastes range more toward Homeland or Masters of Sex than they do Game of Thrones or Girls. Good news, then! If you're getting tired of paying for access to the network on top of your monthly TV bill, that could change next year according to Wall Street Journal. On today's earnings call, CBS' chief executive officer Leslie Moonves said that standalone access to Showtime's programming was coming in 2015 "fairly definitively." It's a bit on the wishy-washy side of things, but it gives the outfit a chance to cover its rear should the requisite deals we'd imagine this requires not happen in time. That should sound at least a little familiar considering HBO said something similar not too long ago. Want to simulate pay-TV-less Showtime until then? Well, there's always Dexter and Californication on Netflix. [Image credit: Getty Images for Showtime]
'Twin Peaks' returns in 2016 after 25-year hiatus
Ready for a slice of pie and a cup of damn fine coffee? Twin Peaks creators David Lynch and Mark Frost sure are, as they're reviving the show for a third season that's due to air on Showtime in 2016. The duo announced as much via Twitter with a characteristically-vague trailer (see it below). In it, Laura Palmer stands in the red room, stares into the camera, and snaps her fingers. Sure! At least someone isn't speaking backwards, right? Variety says it isn't a remake of the original series, but rather a modern day continuation of storylines from the second season. Lynch is signed on to direct the entire season, which is said to be nine episodes. And no, there's no word yet if Detective Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan) is returning, but when handed such pleasant news, it seems wrong to immediately demand more. As Coop put it, "Every day, once a day, give yourself a present." We've already indulged.
More HBO and Showtime channels can now stream via the FiOS app
Attention all ye FiOS subscribers: Verizon's announced more new channels for the service's mobile app. While you're still at home, now you can stream FOX Sports 1, HBO Latino HD, MAX Latino HD and More MAX HD to the Android, iOS or Kindle Fire device of your choice. If you're out and about, you'll be able to check out Showtime's Family Zone, Showcase HD and Women channels in addition to Encore's Black and Western channels. Need more? How about making your autumn family road-trip a little easier with Starz's Kids & Family HD option? That's an almost sure-fire ticket to backseat silence. Sure, there are still plenty of channels missing, but it's pretty hard to complain when you can delay hearing "are we there yet?" for at least a little while.
"Showtime Anytime" channel added to the Apple TV lineup
With each passing month, Apple continues to flesh out the offerings available to Apple TV users. Earlier this week, Apple added "Showtime Anytime" -- Showtime's on-demand video service -- to its ever increasing lineup of compelling channels. Much like HBO Go, the app is accessible to subscribers only. In addition to enabling users catch up on old episodes of hit shows like Dexter and Homeland, the channel will also let users stream content live as it's being broadcast on Showtime. The press release reads in part: Today, Showtime Networks announced the launch of SHOWTIME ANYTIME on Apple TV, giving SHOWTIME subscribers unlimited on demand access to hundreds of hours of programming, as well as the live broadcast of the network's East and West Coast feeds. SHOWTIME ANYTIME on Apple TV is available for free to all device owners who subscribe to SHOWTIME through participating television providers. "We are excited to offer our subscribers access to SHOWTIME ANYTIME on Apple TV," said Tom Christie, President, Distribution, Business Development, and Network Operations, Showtime Networks Inc. "After the response we've seen from our iPhone and iPad apps, as well as our shows on iTunes, it's great to expand the availability of SHOWTIME ANYTIME to another terrific Apple product."
Showtime Anytime brings live and on-demand streaming to Apple TV
Showtime's Anytime streaming portal has already been available to Xbox 360, Roku and other capable gadgets with the proper cable subscription. Now, Apple TV owners can access the network's library of programming and the cable channel's live feed (East and West coast) via the compact set-top box. Customers on Time Warner Cable, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS, Optimum and Bright House Networks can input their credentials to start streaming the likes of Dexter, Homeland, and Masters of Sex -- just to name a few. If you'll recall, Apple TV also received apps for NFL Now, ACC Sports and WWE Network (among others) over the last few months.
