The headline on 23 December 2019
BBiTV filed a patent infringement lawsuit against AT&T alleging that it infringes on BBiTV’s streaming media patents for set top boxes and mobile app technology. Source: BBiTV Files Patent Infringement Suit Against AT&T
Over-the-top TV streaming service Vidgo is expanding its lineup with ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, Freeform, FX and National Geographic Networks. Source: Vidgo Expands Streaming Lineup With ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, Freeform, FX and National Geographic Networks
ViacomCBS has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 49% stake in MIRAMAX, the global film and television studio. Source: Seeking Alpha > ViacomCBS to Make Strategic Investment in beIN MEDIA GROUP’s MIRAMAX
The headline on 18 December 2019
You.i TV appointed Jason Press, executive vice president of direct-to-consumer technology and program management at WarnerMedia, and Brooks Tobey, former head of technology strategy and business operations at Turner, to its board of directors. Source: You.i TV Appoints Media Tech Titans to Board of Directors
The headline on 17 December 2019
Roku CFO Steve Louden is leaving the company. Source: Steve Louden to Step Down as Roku Chief Financial Officer
Comcast signed a five-year extension with CSG to keep the company as the provider of billing services for Comcast’s residential broadband, video, home, and voice customers. Source: CSG and Comcast Announce a 5-year Contract Extension
The headline on 16 December 2019
Bigscreen and Paramount Pictures have a multi-year agreement to distribute classic 2D & 3D films in 10 countries worldwide. Source: Bigscreen and Paramount Pictures sign multi-year agreement to distribute movies in virtual reality
LG says its TVs are the first in the world to exceed the strict requirements established by the Consumer Technology Association to define the new generation of 8K Ultra HD products and services. Source: LG TVs First To Exceed Official Industry Definition For 8K Ultra HD TVs
The headline on 13 December 2019
Disney+ has now been downloaded more than 22 million times to mobile devices alone, estimates independent app-tracking company Apptopia. Source: MediaPost > Disney+’s Mobile Downloads Now Exceed 22M
The headline on 12 December 2019
Sony is reportedly looking into deals with other virtual MVPDs about transitioning over its 500,000 PlayStation Vue subscribers. Source: Multichannel News > Sony Playstation Vue’s 500K Subscriber Base Still in Play
The headline on 11 December 2019
AT&T’s Xandr ad-tech unit has begun selling a new version of what has been called a “pause ad.” Source: Variety > Pausing Your Show? New AT&T Ads Will Start to Roll (EXCLUSIVE)
Netflix is testing a new feature that lets users skip browsing and automatically start watching. Source: Variety > Netflix Tests TV-Like ‘Watch Now’ Experience to Start Streaming Without Browsing the App (EXCLUSIVE)
TiVo signed a new partnership with SpotX for monetization on TiVo+. Source: TiVo Chooses SpotX for Monetization of Ad-Supported CTV Inventory on TiVo+ and Beyond
The headline on 10 December 2019
FandangoNow has launched the first-ever on-demand movies and TV store on Facebook’s home video calling device, Portal TV. Source: FANDANGONOW LAUNCHES ON-DEMAND MOVIE & TV STORE ON PORTAL TV
Ericsson announced late Friday afternoon that it had agreed to pay $1.06 billion in fines to U.S. regulators after pleading guilty to bribery charges. Source: ZDNet > Ericsson hit with over $1 billion in fines for bribing government officials
The headline on 9 December 2019
The New York Times took a closer look at Quibi’s strategy. Source: The New York Times > Release the Influencers! Quibi’s Plan for Streaming Success
Netflix lead with 17 Golden Globes nominations. Source: Hollywood Reporter > Golden Globes: Full List of Nominations
The headline on 6 December 2019
Netflix is working on new audience metrics for its films. Source: Variety > Netflix Film Chief Scott Stuber Says Streamer Planning to Release More Audience Numbers
Vizio said it sold more than half a million smart TVs from the week of Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Source: VIZIO Exceeds Retailer Expectations, Sells Over Half A Million Smart TVs Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The headline on 5 December 2019
The ViacomCBS merger has officially closed. Source: ViacomCBS Announces Completion of the Merger of CBS and Viacom
Atlantic Broadband is partnering with TiVo to offer the Amazon Prime Video app to its cable customers. Source: Atlantic Broadband Announces Amazon Prime Video App on Select TiVo Devices
The headline on 4 December 2019
Amazon will reportedly stream New York Yankees baseball games next season. Source: New York Post > Yankees teaming up with Amazon to stream games
Fastly expanded adoption of its edge offerings and services across European media and entertainment brands. Source: Fastly Empowers Media & Entertainment Brands Across Europe With High-Performance Content at the Edge
The headline on 3 December 2019
ONE Media 3.0, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, promoted Sesh Simha to vice president of advanced technologies. source: Sesh Simha Promoted to Vice President, Advanced Technology-ONE Media 3.0
The Country Network launched its streaming app, TCN. Source: The Country Network Launches TCN Streaming App
The headline on 2 December 2019
The Washington Post took a deeper look at NBCUniversal’s plans for ShoppableTV advertising. Source: WSJ > NBC’s latest gamble depends on the idea that you’ll want to shop while you watch TV
Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, has hired Keri Reisbeck to lead human resources for the newly rebranded company. Source: Comcast’s Effectv Appoints Keri Reisbeck As Its First Human Resources Lead
