Media: Embrace The Citizen Data Scientist

Joe Mancini: To analyze critical audience data collected via their OTT services, media companies should call on “citizen data scientists” using powerful AI software to crunch data and isolate trends.
Independent video software provider Synamedia has now integrated its security and watermarking solutions with Akamai, an intelligent edge platform for securing and delivering digital experiences, to protect customers’ streaming OTT content. Synamedia’s solutions now detect and disrupt pirate streams in real time over the Akamai Intelligent Edge Platform and redirect viewers to legitimate services. The […]
Beachfront, the convergent TV advertising platform, and SeaChange International, a provider of video delivery platforms, have partnered to enable real-time, programmatic monetization of linear spot, over-the-top (OTT) and video-on-demand (VOD) ad inventory. The joint solution is already deployed in the U.S. — including with a global operator and regional cable company — and enables Beachfront’s […]

The FCC has granted Cox and Comcast petitions for “effective competition” determinations in a number of Massachusetts counties, citing over-the-top service AT&T Now as the effective competitor.

Trends driven by the pandemic are likely to persist into 2021 and beyond, while transitions to IP infrastructures will accelerate and aging on-prem infrastructure will give way to increased reliance on the cloud. NextGen TV will also likely pick up speed after COVID’s cooling effect on its rollout this year.
The Weather Channel’s free streaming service, Local Now, today announced a distribution partnership with Cinedigm, which includes a new slate of streaming channels. This collaboration is part of Local Now’s commitment to expanding the depth, availability, and entertainment value of its programming offerings. Local Now viewers will now have 24/7 access to channels including The Bob […]

The seven-episode drama has hit No. 1 on the streamer’s rankings in more than 60 countries.

Tom Cox, president of Premion: “This recognition validates what we’ve been doing from the onset — directly sourcing inventory from premium, known publishers and using cutting-edge technology to detect and filter for fraud.”

Liberty Media Chairman John Malone told CNBC that Amazon, Apple or Roku could dominate in the crowded streaming space given their ability to scale globally. “I think these global platforms will be enormously powerful,” Malone said in an interview that aired Thursday on CNBC. Most products they create will be selling wholesale through these transport systems, the billionaire media mogul added.

Discovery said on Thursday that it will unveil details of its much-anticipated global streaming service and the broader strategy behind it during an investor event on Dec. 2.
Tru Optik, a TransUnion company, and an identity resolution provider across OTT and connected TV (CTV), is partnering with SpringServe, an ad serving platform for OTT and CTV, to bring audience targeting, measurement and attribution to connected TV publishers and broadcasters using SpringServe’s management platform. CTV buyers and sellers using SpringServe’s platform will be able […]

Slingbox has reached its endpoint, with Sling Media announcing that all Slingbox products and services were discontinued on Nov. 9, and will permanently be taken offline on Nov. 9, 2022. Sling Media, a subsidiary of Dish, said the decision is being made to “make room for new innovative products so that we can continue to serve our customers in the best way possible.” This will not include any new Slingbox products.

Bloomberg Quicktake will report on global stories through the lens of business, backed by Bloomberg’s newsroom of 2,700 journalists in 120 countries. It will feature content produced in a variety of compelling formats, including documentary-style original series, anchor-led live news shows, data visualizations, motion graphics, on-the-ground breaking news and live events. The network launches globally on major streaming platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV and Amazon Fire TV, through a newly designed Bloomberg App.

The Uncarrier’s new pay TV service matches up against these specific incumbents well in terms price and channel selection, and executives have noticed
Tegna today said it has completed an update of its stations’ over-the-top streaming apps on Roku, “enhancing the experience for viewers.” Tegna also announced it is planning to launch OTT streaming apps for its stations on Amazon Fire TV by the end of 2020. When the rollout on Amazon Fire TV is complete, Tegna stations’ […]
VUit, the ad-supported streaming service built in partnership with some of the world’s largest local TV station groups, will be presenting a special esports themed election night special on its popular VUit eSports channel, entitled VUit eSports — Decision 2020. Starting Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. ET, and running all evening, the special will bring […]

The video platform’s virtual pay TV service, YouTube TV, has surpassed the 3 million paid subscriber mark. This revelation comes just seven months after Google announced the passing of the 2 million mark for the vMVPD service. That’s an indicator of accelerated growth, as that February 2 million announcement came a full two years after the platform launched.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An online channel devoted to women in the LGBTQ community is launching with shows including a pandemic-set romantic comedy and a paranormal drama. The channel debuts Thursday as part of Revry, a digital platform that offers free, queer-focused programming, including the 24/7 Revry News channel. “I’m overjoyed to offer a free, living and […]

Netflix is raising the subscription price to its standard and premium plans in the U.S., the first such hikes at the streaming giant since January 2019. The service confirmed Thursday that it is raising the price of its HD Standard plan to $13.99 from $12.99, and its 4K Premium plan to $17.99 from $15 over the next two months. The prices take effect today for new members, with current subscribers to be notified 30 days ahead of their price increase based on their billing cycle.

Judith Sheindlin is headed to streaming. The Judge Judy star’s untitled new court show (aka Judy Justice) has been greenlighted by Amazon Studios to stream exclusively on IMDb TV, Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service.
Bitmovin, a provider of online video technology, has integrated Dolby Atmos, the next generation of surround sound technology, to its Bitmovin Video Encoding, making it “the first and only platform in the cloud to offer Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision,” it says. Earlier this year, Bitmovin announced the integration of Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) […]
Fox News Media’s international streaming platform Fox News International has expanded its distribution to 27 countries worldwide, enabling more audiences abroad access to Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network’s coverage ahead of the United States election on Nov. 3. Starting today, the direct-to-consumer service will be made available to 12 additional countries, including enhanced distribution across […]

Locast, the nonprofit streaming service focused on local TV stations, said Wednesday that it has debuted in its 24th U.S. market, Indianapolis. The streaming service also said it now has 1.7 million users.

Following the exit of several top executives, Netflix’s head of global television, Bela Bajaria, has set her new global leadership team and overhauled the streaming service’s U.S. operations under her purview, creating a new overall team in the process.

Stewart will host an hour-long, current affairs series that will explore topics of national interest as well as his advocacy work, the streaming service said Tuesday.
Red Bee Media and Dotscreen were instrumental in the launch of TV5MONDEplus, a new global video-on-demand platform with free French speaking series, films and documentaries in full HD quality, subtitled in 5 languages. It is built on Red Bee’s OTT-platform, with secure and reliable broadcast-grade streaming, advertising options and advanced digital rights management (DRM) tools, all […]

With its TVision service, T-Mobile says it’s aiming to offer a simpler and and cheaper service for people dissatisfied with cable. It will cost $10 a month with live news, entertainment and sports channels. But it’s entering a crowded field. And most similar streaming services have found it difficult to sustain low prices over time.

Quibi is an anomaly, not the norm, according to new research published by Parks Associates.
The number of over-the-top video services in the U.S. has now reached nearly 300, with those platforms exiting the market actually declining.
With the number of streaming services continuing to grow to record levels, Firstlight Media today announced expanded support for the industry, adding three executives to its sales and business development team. Bal O’Neil has joined the company as vice president of solutions engineering, Eric Goldstein will serve as head of business development and John Ferrandino […]