streaming

Marc DeBevoise, president and chief operating officer of CBS Interactive, can see viewers subscribing to about 10 OTT services on average.

The trends put it in a strong position as an “independent studio” that can also develop intellectual property from other units at Sony, Tony Vinciquerra said at a strategy meeting and investor day in Tokyo.

When the first output deal between Netflix and CW parents CBS and Warner Bros was announced in 2011, it was hailed as groundbreaking and, with its $1 billion windfall, a lifeline that may have helped save the then money-losing upstart network. The pact, re-uped by both sides in 2016 with some modifications, was up again this spring, and it’s not being renewed. The three new CW series — Batwoman, Nancy Drew and Riverdale spinoff Katy Keen— are being shopped for streaming deals individually by their respective studios.

Disney and Comcast announced today that Disney will assume full operational control of Hulu, effective immediately. In return, Disney and Comcast entered into a “put/call” agree regarding NBCUniversal’s 33% ownership interest in Hulu. The deal puts a minimum future valuation on Hulu of $27.5 billion.

The new capabilities available Monday come ahead of Apple’s plan to offer its own original shows, including ones from Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg. Those shows will be part of an Apple TV Plus subscription coming later this year for a yet-to-be disclosed price.

CBSN, the 24-hour free streaming video news network from CBS News, is now averaging more than 1 million video streams per day, according to the company. Roughly 80% of CBSN’s daily live streams are happening on live content versus on-demand clips of various news segments.

ABC News’ Kaizar Campwala, CBC’s Roma Kojima, Graham Media’s Jonathan Beard and Tribune Broadcasting’s Kerry Oslund will make up a panel examining some of streaming’s more vexing challenges at TVNewsCheck’s OTT News Summit on June 11. The Weather Channel’s Michael Senzon will moderate.

Reality TV, long-forgotten “classics” and movies that never made it to theaters — these are the types of lackluster shows and movies you’ll find for free. But finding gems in the junk, like the original Roseanne, can give you a treasure-hunting rush.

The Scripps ABC affiliate is rolling out seven hours of new newscasts on broadcast and streaming platforms beginning June 3.

CBS Interactive’s Ashutosh Nayak, CNN’s Rajin Persaud, CBC’s Roma Kojima and Local Now’s Jeremy Jones will make up a panel examine the pros and cons of building streaming technology in house or working with outside vendors at TVNewsCheck’s OTT News Summit on June 11. Frost & Sullivan’s Dan Rayburn will moderate.

There may be a big silver lining to Sinclair’s loss of its proposed merger with Tribune. In its wake the group has shifted its strategy from TV station acquisition to nonbroadcast ventures like regional sports networks, OTT services and possibly some kind of national news service. And it’s continuing to lead the way toward ATSC 3.0, which it is convinced will multiply the value of broadcast spots through targeting, and enable lucrative new businesses like datacasting.

Among the new outlets announced for the network’s revival that launches on May 8 are stations in 48 new markets owned by Meredith, Tegna, Nexstar, Quincy, Lockwood and American Spirit. Over-the-air coverage will be more than 80% of the U.S. at launch. It’s also added cable and OTT coverage.

Locast, the free over-the-air broadcast TV streaming service, said it has added iPad, Apple TV and Android TV to the devices/platforms on which it is now available. That is in addition to Apple iOS, Android, Roku and Hopper, as well as various browser platforms. Locast, which launched last year, does not have to get a TV station’s permission.

The 13-game package will stream on the MLB channel on YouTube platforms globally. The games will include pre- and post-game shows, and will be produced by MLB Network.

The Obamas say they “couldn’t be more excited” about the projects they’re announcing Tuesday for their Netflix production company. The lineup includes a series about food aimed at preschoolers, a scripted drama about the post-World War II fashion world and a documentary film focused on American factories.

What’s left for the media empress and icon of inspiration? In a wide ranging interview, Winfrey explains her streaming strategy (including a possible interview series), who she’s eyeing for 2020 (“I’d like to see what’s up with Butta” — aka Pete Buttigieg) and the creative fire that fuels her now.

When the internet TV service Philo led by CEO Andrew McCollum launched in November 2017, it had the cheapest pay-TV bundle on the market in the US. For $16 per month, people could buy a smattering of 45 entertainment TV channels, such as AMC, HGTV, Food Network, MTV and Comedy Central, and add on a small collection of other networks for an extra $4 per month. A year-and-a-half later, the streaming TV company still has one of the most affordable options for live TV services in the U.S. but is being forced to scrap its least expensive offering.

Disney and Comcast are holding talks about working out a deal for Comcast’s 30% stake, according to people familiar with the matter. Comcast is now weighing the pros and cons of doing a deal now rather than later, said these people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. It’s still unclear if a deal will transpire.