Technology360

Kontiki's Product Roadmap and its Work on "Sky by Broadband"

"Earlier this week, UK satellite TV provider, BSkyB, officially launched its long-awaited, PC-based broadband VOD service, "Sky by Broadband." The service--which features content from Sky Movies and Sky Sports, and which appears designed to help Sky meet the competitive threat posed by the VOD services offered by UK cable operators, ntl and Telewest, and by the HomeChoice IPTV platform ... --currently offers over 200 full-length movies (Sky says that it will eventually offer over 1,000 movies) and over 1,000 sports videoclips. It is available free of charge to Sky customers who subscribe to two or more premium channels: Sky World subscribers can access both the service's movies and its sports content; Sky Movies 1 and 2 subscribers can access its movies only; and Sky Sports 1 and 2 customers can access its sports content only.  ¶  The new service is powered by peer-to-peer "grid delivery" technology from Sunnyvale, California-based Kontiki. ... Tracy Swedlow recently spoke to Scott Sahadi, Kontiki's VP of business development, about his company's work on Sky by Broadband, about its product roadmap (which includes support for the delivery of live events and integration with IP set-top boxes), and more. ..."  Link:  ITVT.   Swedlow published an earlier interview with Sahadi back in October (link:  ITVT).  Kontiki is also powering Open Media Network, with which I'm associated as chair of the Public Service Publisher Initiative. --Dennis

Sky readies broadband movie & sports video-downloads

"Satellite broadcaster Sky is getting ready to introduce a broadband movie and sports video-download service - Sky by broadband - for its premium subscribers in the UK and Republic of Ireland.  ¶ Like AOL's free-to-all, high-quality download service In2TV – now on open trial (see our hands-on report) - Sky's offering requires Windows XP and uses the "secure" peer-to-peer manager Kontiki. It should also provide reasonable quality but perhaps not to the high standard of AOL's Hi-Q Video footage.  ¶ Movie downloads will be free to Sky digital customers with Sky Movies 1 and 2 subscriptions. Sports videos will be free to customers with Sky Sports 1 and 2 subscriptions. As yet, there looks to be no plans to offer downloads as separate chargeable services to non-premium subscribers. Indeed, judging from the Sky by broadband site, the idea is to entice new customers to Sky's premium services. ..."  Link:  Hexus.lifestyle.  This is an interesting model for pubcasters to consider -- free downloads if you're a member of your local station.  It's one that the Public Service Publisher group, which I chair, has included in its assumptions about future revenue streams.  The PSP is collaborating with Open Media Network, also powered by Kontiki, and now in public beta for Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers -- soon for the Mac as well.  --Dennis

BBC and ITV to start Sky TV rival

"The BBC and ITV are to launch a free-to-view satellite TV service to cater for viewers unable to receive Freeview digital coverage.  ¶  ITV announced plans for the service, to be called Freesat, on Wednesday.  ¶  Freesat, to be launched early in 2006, will rival BSkyB and will carry all BBC and ITV digital TV, interactive and radio services plus other channels. ..."  Link:  BBC News.

See also Sky launches 'freesat' digital TV.  "BSkyB has launched a free digital satellite TV service which offers 140 channels for a one-off fee of £150.  ¶ The service, freesat from Sky, is being seen by many as an attempt to rival the success of Freeview, the equivalent service for digital terrestrial TV. ..."  Link:  BBC News.

How Satellite TV Works

A tutorial on satellite television is available at Satellite Dish.  --Dennis

Dish moves on mosaics.

Jeff Baumgartner writes:   "EchoStar Communications has launched a mosaic video application that will enable viewers to watch six TV thumbnailed video channels and access an interactive menu concurrently.  ¶  Powered by OpenTV Corp. set-top software, the mosaic and interactive elements, offered on channel 100, follow some earlier work with the technology by EchoStar. In 2004, the DBS service provider offered mosaics to support the Summer Olympics and for coverage of the Presidential elections.  ¶ A mosaic thumbnail, once selected by a customer, will be transitioned to full-screen video. ..."  Link:  CED Magazine.  Thanks for the tip to digitalwireless.org. --Dennis

DirecTV to focus on wireless

Aline van Duyn writes:  "DirecTV Group, the US satellite television operator controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, said on Thursday it was “actively engaged” in finding ways to enter the growing market for wireless broadband services. ..." 

Link:  Financial Times.

Cable and ADS Penetration by DMA

TVB has posted a DMA breakdown of cable and Alternative Delivery System (mostly satellite, but also MMDS, et al.) penetration.  Interesting data.  Broadcasters should note that because of dual subscriptions (cable + satellite) by a significant number of households, you can not just subtract these totals from 100% to get the number of over-the-air broadcast only households.  Link:  TVB.  --Dennis

DirecTV, Echostar Outline Interactive Strategies

... DirecTV Inc. and Echostar Communications Corp. are at the forefront of the interactive revolution in the United States. The two operators, who combined have more than 25 million subscribers, are ramping up their interactivity development efforts and the United States is likely to be one of the most vibrant interactive markets. Already this year, Echostar launched nationwide interactive sporting and karaoke channels for its Dish Network Service. DirecTV announced in January that it will launch a number of new advanced television services that offer viewers more control throughout their viewing experience. ...  Link:  Satellilte News via Telecomweb.

Advertising gets personal for cable companies

Sanford Nowlin writes: "... Within a few years, TV viewers may be getting hit with a lot fewer ads that don't fit their lifestyle. ¶ The technology exists now to allow cable and satellite providers to target TV spots to residents in specific ZIP codes or neighborhoods. And soon they will be able to learn enough about their subscribers to send them individually tailored suites of messages. ¶ It's just a matter of how soon video providers deploy the technology and how responsive advertisers are to the idea of tailoring their TV messages. ..." Link: San Antonio Express-News.

The End of Movie Rentals?

[NPR's] Madeleine Brand speaks with Slate contributor Edward J. Epstein about Rupert Murdoch's plan to offer movies through in-home digital video recorders. Epstein believes Murdoch's plan, if successful, could lead to the end of the video and DVD rental business.  Link:  NPR Day to Day.

About this, Alex Rowland posted Why Satellite Isn't Compatible With an Open Network World.  --Dennis