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Netflix is in talks to partner with cable providers for bundles, could mean higher quality streaming
After CEO Reed Hastings recently hinted at the possibility of Netflix's Watch Instantly service coming bundled with cable services, Reuters is reporting the company has met with "some of the largest US cable companies" to discuss partnerships. The report goes on to mention it could stream through cable set-top boxes and appear as another line item on customer's bills, however for that, Netflix would have to rework content licensing agreements that bar its service from cable boxes, which has kept it off of TiVo Premieres offered by companies like Suddenlink and RCN. We've also spoken to the infamous people with knowledge of the discussions and are hearing that while deals are being discussed, what's initiated the talks is the increasing bandwidth load that Watch Instantly is placing on networks -- see the Comcast vs. Level 3 dustup from 2010.What the deals being discussed could bring is a setup where your cable company offers bundled services (TV, internet, etc.) that include premium access to Netflix -- higher quality audio and video streams that don't count against bandwidth caps, and maybe even a discount from the standard rate. Cable companies could obtain revenue from Netflix under the deal, and also keep customers around thanks to the advantages of the bundled offerings, while Netflix could have more reliable distribution for its video, and a leg up on competition from Amazon and Redbox / Verizon FiOS. We'll wait and see what happens, but in an interesting twist, Netflix could quickly join sports as a tool for providers to keep customers from cutting the cord, instead of a reason for it.
Verizon FiOS TV's new media server scheduled for late 2012
The fine folks at Verizon's Innovation Labs in Waltham, Massachusetts have posted a couple of videos of their efforts that include their vision of how Verizon plans to deliver TV to all the devices in your home, over both wired and wireless networks in HD, served off of a centralized media server. In addition to tablets, game consoles and computers, the media server will also serve content to smaller, more energy efficient thin clients at the other HDTVs in your home. Besides the obvious benefits of more content in more places, a centralized approach like this also offers the promise of being more user friendly by making the experience consistent across every screen -- no more walking to another room to schedule recordings. We're told the media server is expected to roll out late next year, but sadly, FiOS TV isn't exactly known for delivering new technologies when promised.
It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision
Being a Cablevision customer was hard. Watching your colleagues with FiOS subscriptions stream Carnivale on their iPads, the guy who pays Dish Network for his programming could get Cinemax on his smartphone -- and all you had was YouTube for entertainment. Fortunately, the final major provider not to carry Home Box Office's online services has relented and you'll be able to enjoy both HBO Go and Go Max as soon as it's launched in "the next few months." Just remember that while you can now enjoy all those episodes of True Blood in public places, it doesn't necessarily mean that you should.
After legal battle, MSG HD channels finally arrive on Verizon FiOS
When the MSG Network was founded in 1969, the New York Knicks were just a few months away from their first NBA championship. The franchise would go on to win a second crown in 1973, after which it embarked on a gut wrenchingly long title drought that persists to this very day. The MSG Network, on the other hand, has been busy employing Mike Breen and expanding its Ewing-esque regional media reach to new platforms, including (rather begrudgingly) Verizon's FiOS TV. Last week, the carrier announced that both MSG HD and MSG+ HD would be coming to its FiOS TV lineup, with select markets receiving the channels as early as Thursday. The move doesn't come without some grumbling, though, especially on MSG's part. As Verizon puts it, the network had previously "refused" to provide its HD channels, but was ultimately forced to do so when the FCC ruled in Big Red's favor. MSG's ownership tried to stay the decision, but a federal court this week denied its request. As a result, New York subscribers can now spend their evenings watching the Knicks in HD, and trying to remember the good ol' times.
Verizon planning streaming video service, gets ready to take on Netflix
We can't say we're entirely shocked by the move but, according to Reuters, Verizon is getting ready to enter the streaming media market. Reports are that the company is in talks with programming partners to provide content for a Netflix-like video service that it could offer to customers not currently covered by its high-speed FiOS network. Obviously, details are scant, and there's no telling when it might actually launch, but you can bet its competitors will be watching closely... and we don't just mean Netflix. Cable and satellite TV providers are already wary of the public embracing cord-cutting -- when one of their own seems to be encouraging the behavior it sets off a lot of alarms.
Xfinity, Verizon services miss this week's Xbox 360 dash update
The long-awaited "Metro" update to the Xbox 360 dashboard is finally launching this week, but you might not want to make any popcorn just yet. A number of Microsoft's recently announced content partners won't be showing up to the party on time, most notably Comcast's Xfinity on-demand library, Verizon's Fios live-tv service, and the HBO GO app. Microsoft has given a nebulous "early 2012" release window for HBO and Xfinity, though Verizon should be bringing Fios to Xbox Live "later in December" - along with SyFy, UFC, and a number of others. A full list of partners, and when to expect them, is available after the jump.
Verizon's My FiOS app puts your entire living room under one Android roof
Leaving home is hard, especially when you've got a backlog of on-demand movies and TV shows staring at you with big puppy dog eyes. Fortunately, however, Verizon has now come out with My FiOS -- a new app for Android users that promises to keep you constantly connected to all your home entertainment systems, and more. Released yesterday, this app allows users to remotely access movies, Flex View TV shows and home automation and monitoring systems directly from their handsets, while managing their accounts and billing via the provider's built-in customer service tools. Verizon clients can also use My FiOS to control their TVs, DVR players or home phones, and can even access some content straight from their devices. For now, the app is only available on Android 2.1 or above, though Verizon says an iOS version should hit the market "before year-end." Skim past the break for more information in the full PR, or hit up the source link below to download My FiOS for yourself.
Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video)
Just as the rumors indicated, Microsoft is bringing video from a number of providers beyond the ones it initially announced to the Xbox 360 in its fall update, including big guns like Verizon and Comcast. While Verizon is promising "a selection" of its live TV channels on the Xbox 360 as expected, Comcast is only bringing its Xfinity TV video on-demand offerings (no AnyPlay powered live TV -- yet) to subscribers when it launches "in the coming months." Other notable providers include Lovefilm (UK, Germany), BBC TV (UK), HBO Go, and Syfy. As promised during E3, the services integrated with Xbox will offer support for search across all available video, as well as support for Kinect voice and gesture controls. The universal search is looking good since it pulls together various services into one UI (as we discussed on our podcast yesterday), but the reality is content providers and geographical limits on what services you can pick from are still throwing up walls between users and content. Check after the break for PR detailing what you'll be able to access and where, as well as a video intro to all the tasty new TV services. %Gallery-135845%
Verizon's FiOS on Demand app brings Flex View streaming to iPad, iPhone
It's been in the works for more than a year, but Verizon's FiOS on Demand app has finally arrived to the iPad and iPhone. Available as a free download on the iTunes Store, this tool provides FiOS subscribers with instant access to all movies or TV shows available under the provider's Flex View service, which now boasts some 4,400 titles for purchase or rent, along with 32GB of cloud storage for each customer. It's still unclear whether Verizon will be releasing a version for other tablets or handsets anytime soon, but iDevice owners can download the app at the source link below.
Verizon FiOS HD DVR review (1.9)
Moxi HD DVR Review Verizon FiOS TV 1.9 software update adds an HD guide, DVR enhancements Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video) It seems most have never learned to truly appreciate a DVR, instead thinking of it merely as a tape-less VCR. If you're like us, you love your DVR, but wait with bated breath for the next -- that might be the great one. So it was with great anticipation that we ran the new FiOS HD DVR update (1.9) through its paces. Arguably the biggest update since Verizon released a DVR, it was instantly adored by those lucky enough to have access to it, thanks to its external storage support, enhanced multi-room functionality and slick new 16x9 HD user interface. But does it meet our expectations? And can it compete with the likes of a TiVo or Windows Media Center DVR? Well, you'll just have to click through yourself for those answers. %Gallery-131261%
Pandora music streaming comes to FiOS TV set-top boxes
Two years after launching the FiOS TV app store, Verizon is bringing Pandora music streaming (already on TiVo and a number of other connected devices) to its HD set-top boxes and DVRs. California, Texas and Virginia customers are the first to get access with more markets due "in the coming months". If you love your customized John Mayer station but aren't excited about navigating the menus with a TV remote you'll be happy to know Pandora, like other FiOS apps, is also controllable via the FiOS Mobile Remote app on many phones. Check out the launch video for a few more details, but we figure once you get past "it's Pandora, on your TV" all the necessary details have been explained. Our only complaint? Pandora is so 2009, we're all about Spotify, Google Music and Turntable.fm now.
WatchESPN app upgraded for iPad, still restricted to just a few TV providers
The free WatchESPN app that lets users tune into the family sports channels (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com) has been upgraded to version 1.1 on iOS (also available for Android) and in the process added a new UI designed just for the iPad. It sports a new tablet friendly UI, but the key restriction is still that you need to subscribe to Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV to make use of the service. If you don't have one of those and need a quick hit of sports TV without your TV, there is an account preview option that gives a few hours of viewing, no authentication necessary. You can download it yourself at the iTunes link below or check out the commercial embedded after the break.
FearNet HD signs up Verizon FiOS, Time Warner and Comcast
As we'd heard last year, FearNet is expanding beyond just VOD and today it announced agreements with Time Warner, Verizon FiOS and Comcast placing the linear version of the horror channel on each service. Time Warner Cable should see its VOD on May 9th, and linear SD/HD channel on May 11th, while FiOS has it on channel 197 currently and Comcast has picked it up in Philadelphia with VOD currently available everywhere. Expect to see it pop up on your PC or tablet soon too, since the press release indicates it's down for the TV Everywhere swirl. There's also some details about upcoming series and plans for themed events to come, check them all out in the press release after the break.
Verizon FiOS TV 1.9 software update adds an HD guide, DVR enhancements
Originally projected to launch in Q4 of 2010, Verizon has finally started pushing out version 1.9 of its Media Guide software to set-top boxes in Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and Harrisburg. Other regions can expect to be upgraded over the next couple of months, but just in case you've forgotten what's coming here's a few of the new features: a widescreen HD guide as shown above replacing the old 4x3 SD one, support for switching 3DTVs into the correct mode automatically, native passthrough, 1080p, external hard drives, DVD-style chaptering on DVR recordings, an all new search function and access to DVR recordings from other boxes in the house. Those are just some of the features included in this massive upgrade (not all of the boxes support all of the new features, doublecheck to see if yours is supported first -- this could be a good time for an upgrade), check out the release notes on Verizon's forums for more details, or check out the press release and a trailer for the new software included after the break.
Verizon FiOS offers triple- or quad-play customers in Florida free 500GB DVRs
Verizon's adding some juice to its triple- and quad-play FiOS TV bundles in the state of Florida, offering Bucs fans its new 500GB QIP7232 multiroom DVR from Motorola for free (normally $19.99) as long as they'll sign up for home phone and maybe mobile phone service as well. The discount applies as long as customers hang onto the bundled service which ranges from $99.99 to $129.99, plus any mobile service charges. Combine this with the still-being-previewed software upgrade to turn on a new UI, multiroom DVR browsing and external storage, and while it probably won't cause anyone to toss a Media center setup or TiVo Premiere aside, it's certainly worth a look if you were already considering bundling services anyway. Check the press release after the break.
ESPN 3D will launch on Verizon FiOS April 5
After being the first with 3D pro football Verizon's 3D lineup on FiOS was looking pretty thin, but that changes next month when it will finally start offering ESPN 3D. We've been anticipating its launch since last October, but after ESPNNetworks online streaming it was apparently next in line. The early adopting 3D-capable TV owners near you who subscribe to the Ultimate HD package will see it added to their lineups for no charge, but like U-Verse, it's a $10 add-on for all others. Make decisions regarding those Hamilton's quickly, next on the schedule are the Masters and NBA Playoffs, check the press release after the break for all the details.
Cox, Verizon adding TruTV HD in time for the NCAA Basketball Tournament
The good news is, all of the March Madness basketball games will be viewable in HD, the bad news is some of them will be relegated to TruTV HD. If you're like us, you may not have even known that channel existed (unless of course you, like our podcast guest Chris Ziegler, are a fan of reality TV) but a few more of you will have access now that it's been added to Cox and Verizon FiOS channel lineups. Check out the press release after the break for more details on where to catch it, or check out HDSportsGuide for info on how to find the channel on other providers.
Verizon FiOS TV service now offers ESPN channels over the internet
It's always seemed weird to us that given its advanced fiber technology Verizon's FiOS TV service opted to deliver its channels the same way as traditional cable companies, but starting today users can taste the future since it's added access to ESPN Networks online, following Time Warner and Brighthouse. That means you can stream the live ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater (and ESPN Goal Line when football season begins again) channels over any broadband connection after heading over to FiOSTVCentral or ESPNnetworks.com to get started. Support for other authenticated devices, like tablets and phones is still in the works per its deal with Disney but for now viewing is strictly a computer-only thing.
Verizon's FiOS DVR Manager for iPhone gets a facelift and some new features
Just like Boxee, Verizon's rolled out a February 14th update to users with the FiOS DVR Manager for iPhone, who might actually be on Verizon for their phones now too. It adds support for controlling multiple DVRs, a refreshed UI to match the latest version 1.9 on set-top boxes, access for non-DVR users, and a "What's Hot" feature showing what others in your area are watching. Our friend Dave Zatz has already gone hands-on with the new version 1.5.0 and reports an improved experience with a smoother login process to boot, although he noted it could still improve by integrating itself into the remote control app that's also available. %Gallery-116629%
Verizon intends to take its FiOS TV to every box, maybe even everywhere
Verizon is sharing its grand vision of the future of TV at CES this year which not only includes FiOS TV programming on its set-tops and iPads, but also via Blu-ray players, game consoles, and even directly on the TV without any tethered box at all. And unlike other providers, Verizon isn't taking the media server approach because it doesn't scale. The demo at the at CES's bloggers lounge included all four screens with a Samsung Blu-ray player's app delivering both traditional live TV, DVR'd content and video-on-demand -- in this case the DVR content was being streamed from a FiOS DVR, but the device could have internal storage. Because this content is to be delivered via IP instead of QAM, there's the chance that this programming could be delivered everywhere and to any screen (rights issues aside of course). That's the good news, the (potentially) bad news is that all this great content will only be delivered via Verizon's software, so if you're a TiVo or Media Center guy, no programming for you. We still stick by the idea that true inovation will only come when cable customers can chose both their hardware and their software, but we you can bet we'll bite our tongue and enjoy some HD when we are not standing on our soap box. %Gallery-113268%
