The Multichannel Cord Cutting Mystery
February 8, 2011
Hulu Reworks Its Script as Digital Change Hits TV - Hulu Online Cable Move? | online.wsj.com
1. To what extent does the "cord-cutting" phenomenon present a credible threat to the pay TV industry; or has the trend been oversimplified, overhyped and overstated.2. The digital terrestrial transition of 2009 drew many former over-the-air only viewers into the pay TV fold as the multichannel players, such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable and DISH, offered great incentives.
NBC Universal: Comcast’s Bargain Deal
December 3, 2009
Comcast, GE form new NBCU joint venture | www.telecompaper.com
The NBC U deal moves Comcast into the group of top 5 cable channel owners, alongside The Walt Disney Company, News Corporation, Time Warner and Viacom. The NBC broadcast network and its 10 owned and operated stations contribute a mere 10% of the new NBC U JV's pro-forma annual cash flow.
Bing Challenges Google Again? Don't Hold Your Breath.
October 7, 2009
Google refines search results to counter Microsoft | www.businessweek.com
Microsoft continues to roll out features for its Bing search engine, and Google seems to be able to leapfrog them without a second thought.
Coinstar’s Redbox Expands Relationships with Studios
August 31, 2009
Redbox Sues Studio Over Access to Films | online.wsj.com
Redbox’s future will ultimately be affected by a number of variables, starting with whether or not the Universal (NYSE: GE), Fox and Warner Brothers studios succeed in their struggle to create a kiosk release window.
With Financing in Place, DreamWorks to Produce Six Movies a Year
August 20, 2009
Spielberg Gets Funds to Start Up New Studio | online.wsj.com
DreamWorks is able to achieve what many Hollywood producers have been unable to do: secure new sources of film funding in financially difficult times.
Sony Pictures Signs Multiyear Agreement with Redbox
July 24, 2009
Studios Rethink Redbox | online.wsj.com
1. Sony Pictures (NYSE: SNE) has signed a multiyear deal to supply Redbox's (NASDAQ: CSTR) video rental kiosks. 2. Deal minimizes sell-thru of used Sony DVDs, while maximizing Sony non-theatrical titles.
Nuance Speech Capabilities Can Fend off Microsoft, Google
July 13, 2009
Nuance Communications Acquisition Facing U.S. Probe | www.bloomberg.com
Nuance can expect to continue to grow by acquisition. With Philips, Dragon, and IBM's speech capabilities, they already control a significant swath of language technology. Plenty of acquisition opportunities remain in the application space, however, and there are no antitrust reasons to stand in their way, especially in light of the fact that Google and Microsoft remain potential competitors in everything they do.
Hulu’s Traction Causing Friction with Multichannel Operators
May 14, 2009
Disney Teams Up With Other Networks Online, Buying Stake in Hulu Site | online.wsj.com
1. As online viewership grows, Pay TV companies reconsider sharing their content for free 2. Multichannel companies such as Comcast (CMCSA), Time Warner Cable (TWC) and DIRECTV (DTV) pay cable networks billions of dollars each year to carry programming
3-D Cinema to Add $1 Billion to Box Office Revenues
April 13, 2009
'Monsters vs. Aliens' in 3-D: Taking filmmaking to another dimension | www.latimes.com
1. Year to date domestic box office revenues are 14% higher than the record year of 2008 2. Driven by 3-D, 2008 saw a 33% year-to-year rise in the number of digital screens available worldwide.
Broadcast TV Slump Translates to Cable Network Viewer Growth
March 26, 2009
TVB's Revised Spot Forecast: Down 7-11% | www.tvnewsday.com
1. Top 35 advertising supported cable networks have seen a 7% increase in total viewers this season while the broadcast networks are down 5%. 2. There is a growing consensus among viewers that there is no real differentiation between broadcast TV and the top cable networks.
February 7, 2012
SOPA and the wisdom of Yogi Berra
January 19, 2012
Larger wafers present a growth opportunity for LEDs
January 6, 2012
Smartphones threaten digital camera industry
December 1, 2011
Google music launches: The end of the end for the music industry
November 22, 2011