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| Monday, September 16, 2019 |
| Nielsen’s Gracenote is launching a new Video ID Distribution System enabling easier distribution of movies, TV shows, and short-form videos to global OTT services, smart device manufacturers and cable and satellite TV providers. Studios and networks will be able to register their content with Gracenote‘s Video Database and obtain connected Gracenote IDs to enable better search and discovery in program guides, interfaces and OTT catalogs. They can also submit their own descriptive metadata, tags and imagery which Gracenote will editorially review and prepare for broad distribution. “With the growing popularity of new original programs and short-form video, our global customers face new challenges connecting users to all the content they have to offer,“ said Simon Adams, Gracenote’s Chief Product Officer. “The new Gracenote ID Distribution system will help creators and owners secure the broadest possible distribution of their programming while providing leading VOD and OTT services a means to easily identify and access relevant metadata for next-generation search and discovery experiences.” Walt Disney and Microsoft are teaming for a five-year partnership to create, produce and distribute content using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. “The cloud has reached a tipping point for the media industry, and it’s not surprising that The Walt Disney Studios, which has its heritage based on a passion for innovation and technology, is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Microsoft president Kate Johnson. “The combination of Azure’s hyperscale capacity, global distribution, and industry-leading storage and networking capabilities with Disney’s strong history of industry leadership unlocks new opportunity in the media and entertainment space and will power new ways to drive content and creativity at scale.” Amazon’s Audible, facing a lawsuit from publishers claiming its captioning service infringes on their rights, filed papers last week with a U.S. District Court judge arguing that Audible Captions is not only “not a book of any kind,” it is permitted under fair use since its purpose is educational. The service helps listeners look up unfamiliar words, access reference materials, and “may break through troubling and persistent barriers to access that are reflected in declining reading rates,” said the company. Moreover, “The law is clear,” writes Audible. “Plaintiffs waived their right to sue for copyright infringement as a result of licensed conduct.” A hearing is expected to be held on September 25. MultiDyne Fiber Optics Solutions has acquired Census Digital, a specialist in signal processing, distribution, conversion and monitoring gear. “MultiDyne and Census Digital are known worldwide as problem-solvers in their areas of specialty: fiber transport and signal monitoring,” said Frank Jachetta, CEO, MultiDyne. “There is no question that the two areas are complementary for broadcasters and content producers working across a variety of live production environments, and Census Digital’s audio innovations add substantial power to our value proposition.” MultiDyne will keep Census Digital’s Toronto HQ. Video technology provider Kaltura is pledging to increase female leadership at the company to 50% by 2024, up from 32% today, as part of its new initiative to drive gender equality throughout the tech landscape. Kaltura will work to increase the number of female employees at all levels of the company, and to ensure that it is on track to reach these goals by 2024 will routinely monitor progress via bi-yearly check-ins for gender equality both in compensation and representation. IBM launched its new mainframe, called Z15. The new platform was designed with server consolidation, privacy and hybrid cloud applications in mind, and utilized design thinking, with an eye towards customer input. Data Privacy Passports give any data created on the Z15 encryption and protections as it moves to the public cloud or a third party. Eutelsat Americas announced at the IBC Show that it has been selected by Orby TV for capacity on the EUTELSAT 117 West A satellite. The multi-year, multi-transponder agreement follows Orby TV’s recent launch of its new satellite service across the lower 48 continental United States. Orby TV has two base programming packages priced at $40 (Essentials) or $50 (Extras) per month for up to four rooms, with optional premium network programming packages and DVR service available. Local channels and unlimited use of the Orby TV interactive program guide is provided at no additional charge, even if the subscriber decides to turn off the monthly paid Orby TV service. “With Orby TV prices starting at just $40 per month and the flexibility of the prepaid model to turn the service on/off, while always enjoying free local programming and use of the interactive guide, Orby TV is filling a void in the US marketplace,” said Michael Thornton, CEO of Orby TV. Data solutions company Lotame announced the launch of Lotame PDX, a private, curated marketplace of high-quality second-party data sellers, as well as niche third-party data providers from around the world. The standard asks data providers to offer “nutrition labels” for their data, informing segment quality, recency, provenance, criteria and beyond. “Our post-GDPR world has eroded trust and heightened standards – making the process of vetting partners and understanding data provenance an almost herculean task,” said Andy Monfried, founder and CEO, Lotame. “Lotame knows that quality and reliability are paramount when choosing a data partner, which is why we have created a venue for highly regarded providers and authenticated sellers.” OpenVault, a provider of industry analytics and technology solutions for broadband operators, has partnered with TVC Communications to drive increased availability of OpenVault product offerings within the Latin American and Caribbean markets. “The near-term ability of Grupo TVCable to improve user experiences and satisfaction has significantly increased interest in OpenVault solutions,” said George Kassas, founder and CEO of Bireme Systems and an advisor to OpenVault. “TVC’s tradition of excellence in the region will help us augment OpenVault’s market reach and identify new opportunities in a vibrantly growing region.” The agreement follows the announcement earlier this year of OpenVault’s first CALA customer, Grupo TVCable, the largest cable system operator in Ecuador. Roku is expanding its TV licensing program to Europe. Manufacturers can now license Roku TV reference designs and use Roku OS to build smart TVs for sale in European markets. The news was announced during the IFA trade show in Berlin. A number of US Senators joined forces to ask Google CEO Sundar Pichai to expand Content ID, YouTube’s copyright infringement technology, to more members of the creative community. The Senators asked that YouTube send representatives to participate in a roundtable to answer their questions. “Google has demonstrated an interest in protecting original content on YouTube. However, by limiting the use of Contend ID to more popular users, Google hinders copyright holders with smaller catalogues from reaping the benefits of its actions,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). “Talented creators, including Nashville’s song-writing community, are disproportionately at risk of infringement.” A new sharing option will allow Spotify users to recommend tracks and podcasts directly to their friends and followers on Snapchat. The feature lets users either add albums, tracks or podcasts to a story, or share them directly. Users who see a shared song in a story, or receive a listening recommendation from a Snapchat friend, will get to see the full album art. To listen, they can swipe up and tap on the context card. It automatically opens the Spotify app, if it’s installed on their phones. |
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| APPLE BITES Disney CEO Bob Iger resigned from Apple’s board of directors on September 10, according to an SEC filing. While no reason was given for Iger’s exit, the fact that Disney and Apple are both just months away from starting streaming services could be a factor. Iger joined Apple’s board in November of 2011. Apple released a launch date for its forthcoming streaming service. Apple TV+ will make its debut on November 1 at an introductory price of $4.99 per month and will be available in over 100 countries. The service will roll out its first original series at launch, then add more each month, shared CEO Tim Cook during the company’s product event at its Cupertino headquarters. News of the surprisingly low price for Apple’s upcoming streaming service sent shares of Netflix, Disney and Roku lower. “The pricing of Apple’s streaming TV service at $4.99 per month is a ‘show stopper’ and a major shot across the bow at the likes of Netflix and Disney among others,” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives told clients in a research note on Wednesday. “In our opinion with an installed base of 900 million active iPhones worldwide we believe Cook & Co. have an opportunity to gain 100 million consumers on the streaming front in the next 3-4 years.” At its press event Tuesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 11 Pro, the 11 Pro Max and the less pricey iPhone 11, replacing the iPhone IX, IX Max and XR. Apple CEO Tim Cook called the Pro models “the most powerful and most advanced iPhones we have ever built, with a stunning design.” The iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, with three cameras as the back of the device, will start at $999 and $1,099, respectively, comparable to what Apple charged for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. The iPhone 11, with a dual-camera system, will start at $699 – less than the $749 charged for last year’s XR. ADVERTISING Tremor Video is bringing its video advertising platform to webOS smart TVs from LG Electronics. The ad units will run in a visible position the LG smart TV’s home screen, aiming to drive viewers to an app or drive tune-in campaigns for specific shows and movies. Comcast Spotlight has launched TV Ad Planner, a new industry offering that allows advertisers to purchase TV in a similar manner to buying digital media. It also opens up TV advertising to a new set of local advertisers and small businesses. In addition to being able to buy their own TV ad campaign, small business owners can create a TV spot for as little as $295 in less than 72 hours. “TV Ad Planner provides a seamless, independent experience, allowing all customers, regardless of size, to use one of the most influential and powerful mediums to grow their businesses,” said Hank Oster, SVP and COO at Comcast Spotlight. TV Ad Planner is now live in 57 markets and will be rolling out to additional markets later this year. Imagine Communications, provider of ad tech solutions for broadcasters, content owners, MVPDs and vMVPDs, announced that core OTT monetization functionality from its Targeted Delivery portfolio is now available as OTT Monetization Service, powered by Amazon Web Services. The cloud-based, cross-platform managed service features functionality and simplified browser-based management, without requiring local equipment and hosting. Imagine is collaborating with global streaming TV platform provider MOBITV to incorporate content monetization capabilities into live connected TV and OTT video services, to eventually include VOD and cloud DVR. “Video delivery business models have been turned upside down and distributors need every edge they can get to continue offering robust, profitable services,” said David Heppe, Commercial General Manager for Imagine Communications. “Our OTT Monetization Service removes many of the heavy lifts that come with installing, operationalizing and updating next-gen ad tech.” |
Cynopsis Team
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