Tag: netflix

Netflix Follows Amazon With PBS Deal

Posted on by Lab Team

On the heels of Amazon’s PBS announcement last week, Netflix today announced a similar deal with the broadcasting network, with a few PBS exclusives thrown in. The service will become exclusive streaming video, on demand. Amazon, though, has PBS’ biggest hit on its hands after winning the rights to Downton Abbey. This is another battle in the long war for streaming supremacy in the U.S.. Users are increasingly using mobile and portable devices to stream shows and movies, and the “appointment television” market is what’s at stake. 

Amazon Aims For Appointment Online TV

Posted on by Lab Team

Although Netflix is out to the early lead in the original streaming content category, Amazon is quickly becoming its leading competitor. Its show, Alpha House, debuts soon, but with one important distinction: you won’t be able to binge-watch the entire series in one sitting. Though the details haven’t been ironed out entirely as of yet, Amazon confirmed that the show will be released through Amazon Prime, and the goal for Amazon is to learn from Netflix’s mistakes with the all-at-once release strategy, which reduces the theorizing, buzz, and conversation around the one-episode-per-week show form. 

Amazon Streams Viacom’s Kids Shows

Posted on by Lab Team

After a deal between Netflix and Viacom expired last month, Amazon swept in to clean up the scraps, which included Viacom’s children’s programs like Dora the Explorer and Comedy Central shows like Key and Peele. Amazon made the announcement that it will be streaming these shows through Prime Instant Video this morning, and claimed that they’ll be adding more than 3,900 episodes of TV to their streaming program. This, in combination with Amazon’s announcement that they will film five new original series shows, puts them directly at odds with Netfilx, their main competitor. 

CW Network Comes To Apple TV

Posted on by Lab Team

CW Network has announced that it will be delivering a dedicated app to the Apple TV ecosystem, allowing users to access their content directly through the set-top box. This marks a big shift in terms of traditional TV programming entering the connected TV space. The enhanced interactivity on these platforms creates plenty of opportunities to innovate, without the need for second screen programs. Content will be available a day after the TV broadcast and will be ad-supported.

Netflix And YouTube Working On Open Second Screen Protocol

Posted on by Lab Team

Netflix and YouTube are taking a crack at an open second screen protocol called DIAL. DIAL hopes to power second screen experiences for connected TVs, content services and app makers. Unlike Apple’s wildly successful Airplay, DIAL will not simply mirror your mobile display, but instead can detect and launch applications on your TV. From there, the specific use cases are up to the app makers and device manufactures. Expect a ton of new features coming to connected devices from big players like Sony and Samsung in the future.