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Comedy Central, MTV and more are coming to Hulu’s live TV service
14 more ViacomCBS networks are on the way under an expanded deal.
YouTube TV costs $65 a month after yet another price increase
The base plan has jumped up $15 since the last hike in April 2019.
Sling TV debuts its new look on Apple TV
Apple's TV box is getting more internet TV friendly with the addition of Sling TV, but that's not the end of the announcements today. Apple TV will be the first platform with Sling's new "content-centric" UI. A big addition is the "My TV" section, which lets users pick favorite channels or easily resume watching a particular show, as well as other overall improvements. Sling's deal with Apple also means it will let subscribers buy a 32GB Apple TV for $89 -- if they prepay for three months of Sling's $20/month service. It's an odd way to build in what amounts to three free months of Sling, but that's what it will be when it goes live here.
DirecTV and Viacom disagree on their disagreements, standoff continues
Seeing that DirecTV and Viacom can't even agree on the number of channels that have gone off the air (one says 17, the other 26) as a result of their deal expiring last week, it's no surprise that the two are continuing to challenge each other's statements on every element of the negotiations. The latest tiff? DirecTV claims it has "accepted all material terms...including an increase that was more than fair" for the channels that were pulled, but accuses Viacom of trying to force an addition of the Epix channel package at a cost of around half a billion dollars. Viacom, for its part, calls the statement a "complete work of fiction" and accuses DirecTV of creating more obstacles in the way of a compromise. Both point of views are linked below, we figure DirecTV customers will have plenty of time to read them while they're busy not watching the new episodes of Workaholics and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta until this is resolved.
Viacom channels disappear from DirecTV after the two companies can't reach a deal
As we feared, DirecTV and Viacom didn't work things out and before the clock struck midnight ET, all of the network's feeds went dark for the satellite company's customers. Of course, both sides are throwing barbs with Viacom saying DirecTV was not interested in engaging in "meaningful conversation" and that their last contact was at 11AM. On DirecTV's side, it's claiming it sent proposals but never heard anything back and as such was forced to pull the channels. Viacom has been running ads and notices all day to make sure kids big and little call DirecTV to apply pressure about missing their television shows. DirecTV is firing back with the Kids Mix channel (shown above) that replaces the pulled children's programming and points out content on other stations, and even suggests customers check out sources like Amazon Prime or Netflix to keep watching their shows in the meantime. There's no telling who may blink first, or when, but you can look at each company's statement and hear the sabres rattling for yourself after the break. Any bets as to who will work out a deal first between these two and Dish Network / AMC?
DirecTV vs. Viacom squabble could see MTV, Comedy Central and 16 others go dark at midnight
The latest participants in the carriage dispute dance are DirecTV and Viacom, with the two companies attempting to reach a new agreement before their existing one expires tonight. If they don't, the network's 26 channels (MTV, BET, VH1, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon etc.) could be cut off at midnight. As usual, each has its own side of the argument with Viacom claiming DirecTV has been underpaying for years, while DirecTV accuses Viacom of seeking an increase that will add up to a billion dollars in a year and is responsible for pulling the channels while negotiations continue. We're not particularly sympathetic to the plight of either corporate behemoth (or optimistic that any savings will ever reach customer's pockets) but if you must support one over the other then there's plenty of propaganda to be found at the links below. This may not be as crucial as Dish Network's (potentially) Breaking Bad-interrupting tiff with AMC, but if we have to miss an episode of Workaholics or Awkward it's going to be bad for everyone. Update: We've revised the total channel count from 26 as Viacom stated to 18 -- as much as we like HD feeds, we don't usually count them twice. [Thanks, AJ]
Amazon, Viacom deal brings more TV shows to Prime Instant Video service
Just as rumors indicated yesterday, Amazon has announced a new licensing deal with Viacom that will add TV shows from its networks -- MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, Spike, Nickelodeon and the rest -- to the Prime Instant Video service. There's still no word on any potential spinning off of the all-you-can-eat video portion from the rest of Amazon's Prime membership program, but it does bring the count of movies and TV shows available to around 15,000, up from the 13,000 cited recently. The details are in the press release after the break, but it appears Amazon will have many of the same selections Netflix obtained in its earlier deals, from MTV favorites like RJ Berger and The Hills to kids shows like Yo Gabba Gabba and iCarly.
VH1 introduces "co-viewing" app for iPad
I am intrigued by this growing trend of "co-viewing" or "second screen" mobile apps. These are apps designed to be used while you're watching or doing something else, either something like enjoying a live concert or watching a movie or TV show. We've seen a few of these before, but VH1 has released an app called VH1 Co-Star that's designed exactly for this type of experience. Mashable has a pretty good write-up -- while you watch the show itself, the app feeds you tweets and other information that goes along with what you're watching. There's even a "DVR" feature where you can get information streamed as if it were live from shows that you're not watching live. The app's free, of course, and you probably don't have any reason to download it unless you're a big VH1 fan. But as I said, this trend of using mobile apps to expand a viewing experience is intriguing -- more and more people are using their mobile devices, especially the iPad, while some other media is playing in the background, and apps like this both increase engagement and provide a deeper experience for the viewer. [They also motivate viewers to watch the event live, rather than DVRing and time-shifting, which means better ratings and more ad impressions for the channels. –Ed.] I suspect we'll see much more of this in the future -- sports specifically seems like a big field (so to speak) for growth on this one. We have seen sports organizations like MLB and ESPN take advantage of Apple's iOS store, but I think this is a prime area for them to try and implement soon.
RCN picks up seven of Viacom's HD channels
RCN's hardly the first to go for Viacom's 7-pack of HD channels, but we're sure fans of Ultimate Warrior, The Hills, The Daily Show, iCarly and other programs will be glad to have them. Comedy Central, CMT, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike, VH1 and BET go live today, with HD video on-demand offerings hitting servers July 1. RCN's claiming 100 HD VOD viewing choices, just a few thousand or so behind Comcast at this point, but we figure an upgrade is an upgrade, and at least on RCN you can watch them on a TiVo Premiere, so there's that right?
DISH Network adds seven new Viacom HD channels, cements HD supremacy
If you want your MTV HD you can get it, and BET HD, CMT HD, Comedy Central HD, Nickelodeon HD, Spike TV HD and VH1 HD on DISH Network. Thanks to a new deal with Viacom, all those HD feeds were announced today as available to all subscribers at no extra cost. Also included? Video on-demand and Internet streaming rights that senior VP Dave Shull had no problem claiming as a testament to DISH's "continued HD leadership" while also asserting its HD supremacy. BET HD is available on the Classic Silver 200 HD package and up, while all the rest are on the Classic Bronze 100 lineup.
AT&T's U-verse TV picking up seven Viacom networks in HD
Just days after AT&T announced that NHL Network HD would be gliding over to U-verse TV, in flies a report stating that Viacom and AT&T have linked up on a sweet new deal. Said agreement will enable seven new networks to join the U-verse TV EPG: MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, BET HD, Nickelodeon HD, Comedy Central HD and Spike HD. The deal also "renews carriage of the MTVN and BETN channels and VOD content featured on AT&T U-verse TV, and provides for carriage of new international channels, including MTV India, later this year." Now, let's wait and see if those monthly rates creep up any after the fact.
CES 2009: MTV Networks adding 2000 hours of programming to PS Store
The PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service will be getting a big boost from a new partner: MTV Networks. While MTV Networks includes the well-known "music" channel, it also includes VH1, Nickelodeon, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike, Logo, CMT, The N, TV Land and Atom. Some shows to be added to the PlayStation Store include MTV's The City, COMEDY CENTRAL's South Park, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants and VH1's Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels."We're thrilled to add content from MTV Networks to our line up, it's a perfect fit for the PlayStation demographic, one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today," said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President of Marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "Combined with the superior technology of the PS3 and PSP, the PlayStation Network's video delivery service truly provides consumers the best and most comprehensive content on demand from an incredible line up of entertainment brands to enjoy at home or on-the-go.""From Nickelodeon to TV Land and everywhere in between, MTV Networks' brands feature some of the most popular shows and some of the hottest stars for almost every conceivable demo," said Greg Clayman, Executive Vice President, Digital Distribution and Business Development, MTV Networks. "By making our diverse content lineup available through the PlayStation Network, we're giving PlayStation users instant access to hundreds of hours of our very best programming in the comfort of their own living rooms."
Video: Master Chief True Hollywood Story
As a general rule, we do everything we can to avoid VH1 E! (or even parodies of it, in this case). After all, one can only take so much Flavor Flav The Simple Life. Still, we found ourselves drawn to this particular True Hollywood Story. It's only natural, as it's about one of our favorite celebrities: Master Chief. Apparently, the Chief has many worries outside the intergalactic war that has permeated his life. Yes, on the inside, John is just as vulnerable as the rest of us. Watch the video above for a rare glimpse into his inner life.Update: As some have pointed out, THS is an E! program, not VH1. Still, both VH1 and E! should be avoided if at all possible.
Zune Marketplace to get MTV, VH1, and CMT content?
A tenacious Zune user has recently stumbled across some potentially eyebrow-raising information while dipping into the device's desktop software files. It seems that embedded in an innocent looking ZuneMarketPlace.dll file is some internal code that suggests a new content partnership with MTV, VH1, and CMT for the Zune Marketplace. We know that Zune software has its roots in Windows Media Player, and Microsoft and MTV are pretty tight with their Urge integration in WMP11 -- but that doesn't necessarily mean this is holdover code. The found strings are very specific about mentioning "VH1 on Zune" and the like, so that's clearly cause for speculation. Too bad they didn't find anything about Lionsgate or some other movie studios though, this thing is way overdue for some video content.
Wii is having the best week ever
VH1's show Best Week Ever decided that the week ending December 2nd 2006 was the "best week ever" for the Nintendo Wii. What does that mean? Well, they get a bunch of comedians together to comment on the system, its games and the folks out there on the internet documenting physical injury and catastrophe to electronic equipment from using the system. We've embedded the clip from You Tube into the post, after the jump.[Via Best Week Ever; thanks DidYouLoseASock!]
Happy Loco Roco contest news & sad soundtrack news
How much do YOU love Loco Roco? The game's now available in stores and VH1 is giving away this huge inflatable figure, and other prizes, to fans of the game. All you have to do is send them a picture of LocoRoco in the "real world" (riding the train, in a diner, etc.), and you can use any method you want: PhotoShop, cardboard figures, creating a real LocoRoco from the primordial ooze you have stored in the freezer. See all the contest details. In other Loco Roco news, GamesRadar has confirmed our fears that a Loco Roco soundtrack CD won't be made any time soon. That didn't stop GamesRadar from hosting a few of the songs on its servers. Check out creatively titled songs like Black Song, Blue Song and even Green Song. Wow. See also: Who sings the Loco Roco song?
VH1 spoofs "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" ads
We all had a little chuckle at Apple's "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" ads when they came out, but as the weeks wear on, the backlash against the ads has really set in. Slate billed them as "mean spirited," and it turns out more people identify with the lovable John Hodgman's PC than they seem to with the (not so) subtly smug demeanor donned by Justin Long's Mac. VH1's Best Week Ever more or less sums it up with Christian Finnegan and Nick Kroll's spoof of the ad campaign; as card carrying expensive jeans-wearing Gnarles Barkley-listening nerds, we especially enjoyed the following dialogue:Mac: Basically, I "stole" footage from Psycho, and then "borrowed" music from the Gnarles Barkley song, and put 'em all together. It's mad stupid.PC: Do you know what I think is "stupid?"Mac: What?PC: Expensive worn jeans, ironic t-shirts, and pretentious film school glasses.
