Internet Video Junkies and the DOCSIS 3.0 Solution
The high cost of clearing cable's clogged pipes, the true value of free content on the Web and a solution to the Malone/Diller duel.
By Steve Goldstein
News briefing for Tuesday, Feb. 12 »
Consumers' insatiable appetite for Internet video is straining cable operators' broadband networks, and it's only going to get worse, the Associated Press reports. Some Internet video viewers are total gluttons and ruining the party for the more dainty online addicts, which has led Comcast to block some file sharing and Time Warner Cable to test monthly bandwidth caps. DOCSIS 3.0 will increase capacity for cable operators, but can they afford to roll it out fast enough to prevent Internet video junkies from rebelling and seeking new sources of that which sustains them? [Associated Press]
The Internet is going to eventually resemble TV's cable/broadcast dichotomy, Ephraim Schwartz writes in InfoWorld. Free content on the Internet will be lousy, and subscription-based content will be pretty good. [InfoWorld]
John Malone could conceivably end his efforts to take control of IAC/InterActiveCorp from Barry Diller if home-shopping network HSN falls into his hands, the Wall Street Journal speculates. [Wall Street Journal]
Yahoo signed an agreement with T-Mobile to be its Web services provider in northern and central Europe, usurping Google’s partnership role with the mobile provider, Reuters reports. Google’s deal with T-Mobile expires in March. [Reuters]
Microsoft is apparently unwilling to raise its purchase offer for Yahoo, which the Internet services company rejected, and may now take steps to oust Yahoo’s board of directors. [New York Times]
Hollywood producers never thought striking writers would stay unified for as long as they did, the New York Times reports. Ultimately, producers made concessions on sharing revenue from the streaming of content on the Internet and on mobile devices. But it is the writers who are feeling the pain now, and will continue to do so for the immediate future, as the elimination of development deals and pilot episodes reduces opportunities for fat paychecks. [New York Times]
Madison Avenue is hoping that the writers’ strike will bring an end to the spring upfront advertising market and the September-to-May TV schedule, the New York Times reports. Ad agencies would prefer year-round introduction of new series and more flexibility in the striking of ad deals. [New York Times]
Cox customers in Topeka, Kans., will have to wait an estimated two weeks for delivery of a DVR that has been ordered because of a national shortage in inventory. [WIBW.com]
Randy Rieland was promoted to SVP, interactive media, Discovery Channel and Science Channel, from VP of new media for Discovery Channel. Iain Langridge has joined Discovery Channel as VP of interactive media; previously he was VP of international product management for AOL.
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Cable's stars turned out for the first annual CableFAX 100 luncheon at New York's Grand Hyatt last December. Catch Mad Men's Jon Hamm, Cash Cab's Ben Bailey as well as Sundance Channel's Larry Aidem and Cable Pioneer Bill Bresnan and others in our video from the wintertime event.
Who are cable's most powerful women executives?
Help CableFAX: The Magazine decide by nominating the executives you think should be included in our annual list of the Most Powerful Women in Cable. We will rank the top 50 most powerful women, and run a list of the second 50, in the November issue of CableFAX: The Magazine. Nominations are open to all cable operators, programmers, vendors and trade associations. Click here for nomination form. Deadline for nominations: Sept. 8.
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