Christopher Slaughter
CEO
|
When Bob Iger talks, it’s worth listening; especially when the Disney CEO makes it pretty clear that ESPN will one day be a direct-to-consumer offering. Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, Iger drew comparisons between both the sports network and the Disney Channel and HBO’s standalone digital service, although he also pointed out that such a change wasn’t “right around the corner.” Meanwhile, there’s also a very in-depth look at ESPN’s “Push” into digital — especially mobile — in The Atlantic, in case you missed it. |
John Medeiros
Chief Policy Officer
|
A really interesting copyright-wolf-wearing-antitrust-clothing has appeared in Europe. The European Union notified the six major Hollywood studios and Sky Broadcasting in London of a competition case against them. Far from being a conventional trust-busting enforcement action against back-room deals, this is a far-reaching challenge to the system of copyright licensing based on national boundaries. The Commission’s statement was forthright about the problem: “European consumers want to watch the pay-TV channels of their choice regardless of where they live or travel in the EU. Our investigation shows that they cannot do this today.” The action is a companion to the EU Commission’s attack on internet geo-blocking announced in May. It is seeking to erase copyright boundaries between European nations, such that content licensed to one market is available in all. This is no doubt the first of what promises to be a string of actions with possible far-reaching consequences for the video content, sports, and satellite TV industries. |
Mark Lay
Vice President, Singapore
|
As the pay TV business morphs, many different players are reacting in many different ways. Fast Company has a great article about one of the leaders in this change, HBO, who recently reached a deal under which Verizon will sell the $15-per-month HBO Now. Sky in the UK is coming out with a swanky next generation set-top box, SkyQ, that will allow more simultaneous recording and viewing on various televisions, smartphones and tablets inside and outside the home. Then again, some think that Media Companies Hope Box Office Bounty Masks TV Troubles. Interesting times, for sure. |
Kevin Jennings
Programme Director
|
Australia’s Telstra has announced it will launch Telstra TV in September hosting streaming video services such as Netflix, Stan and Presto. At its heart will be the Roku 2 – that will connect TVs to hosts’ apps that play catch-up TV and streaming video. Telstra aims to use media products and services to keep existing customers loyal while winning new internet subscribers without paying the hundreds of millions of dollars required to become a media producer. The Roku experience is noted for its ability to search for content across all available services, so you can find what you want to watch directly from the main interface. |
Anjan Mitra
Executive Director, India
|
Incoming Chairman of TRAI, R S Sharma, will have to hit the ground running. Top of the pops for him is to give clearance to a yet-to-be-released report on OTT services and net neutrality. Both issues need expert helming. Good thing is that Sharma, being a Secretary in Department of Information Technology in Telecoms Ministry, would — or should — have a better understanding of the subjects. PM Modi’s Digital India dream may hinge on such proposed regulations… |
Christopher Slaughter
CEO
|
The 6th annual VidCon has just wrapped in Anaheim California, a three-day online video festival featuring tens of thousands of screaming teens and tweens and, of course, all the YouTube stars they adore. It’s easy to be snarky about the whole phenomenon, especially if you’re not part of the demographic devoted to these “creators,” but increasingly, VidCon is also becoming a focal point for business. And if you can look past the endless selfies, apparently, there were quite a few takeaways from the event. |
Mark Lay
Vice President, Singapore
|
Most people in our business have been dealing with subscription revenues for years though it seems that YouTube may face a myriad of challenges as it moves to squeeze new coin from the millions of free videos on its service. At the same time YouTube creators are looking beyond ads for money, with one YouTuber saying, “my overall goal is take my brand outside of YouTube and move it directly to television.” But why stop with TV, Smosh: The Movie is now out, with a full 5.0 on IMDB. |
John Medeiros
Chief Policy Officer
|
China’s Ministry of Culture has said it will lift its long-standing ban on the manufacture and sale of video game consoles, allowing companies like Sony and Microsoft to start tapping the huge potential market. Last year, the ban was lifted, but only for certain companies, and the new regulations only applied to consoles produced within the Shanghai free trade zone. China still has strict controls on violent video games but lurking in the background is the ability to use game consoles in online video streaming. |
Jane Buckthought
Advertising Consultant
|
According to the latest International Ad Forecast from Warc, the internet is expected to overtake TV to become the largest medium for advertising in 2016. Across all key markets, internet adspend is expected to register rapid growth, rising 15.6% to $135.9bn in 2015 and 12.7% to $153.1bn in 2016. |
Christopher Slaughter
CEO
|
As if to prove Jane’s piece correct, it’s fair to say that the Superbowl is as much about advertising as it is about football, and in 2016 US network CBS will be taking the ad-stravaganza online, livestreaming the ads as well as the game. This year, rival network NBC also streamed the game live, but just 18 of its 70 advertisers chose to buy online slots, too; CBS won’t give advertisers the option NOT to. Too early to say how advertisers will respond, but at least the strategy is consistent with the network’s digital ambitions, as the CBS All Access online service it launched last year continues to gather steam. |
Kevin Jennings
Programme Director
|
Streaming app Meerkat may be trailing its Twitter-owned rival Periscope when it comes to popularity, but the underdog has proven itself to be creative and nimble. Recent updates have added Facebook integration along with the ability to stream from high definition GoPro. Only available for Iphone for now but something for broadcasters to be concerned about for future live events such as the next Pacquiao fight if Periscope claims are to be believed from last time around. |
Anjan Mitra
Executive Director, India
|
In a scathing criticism of India’s Department of Telecoms (DoT), Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a Member of Upper House of Parliament and a telecoms entrepreneur, dubs a DoT report on net neutrality “bland” and being completely out of touch with reality. Even as Telecoms Minister struggles to defend and clarify the report, Chandrasekhar said the government wants net neutrality but can’t tell us what that is, which has left the debaters of the issue confused and wary. An apt summation indeed. |
Jane Buckthought
Advertising Consultant
|
Gossip is circulating in Thailand with UK-based Kantar Media, one of the three companies submitting viewing measurement tenders, is expected to be named the official national TV-rating and multi-platform audience meter. |
