Comcast announced this week that they are raising their data cap from 250 gigabytes to 300 gigabytes per month. The company says they are taking a more “flexible” approach in managing customer data use. Comcast said “as the market and technology have evolved, we’ve decided to change our approach and replace our static 250 GB usage threshold with more flexible data usage management approaches that benefit consumers and support innovation and that will continue to ensure that all of our customers enjoy the best possible Internet experience over our high-speed data service.” Comcast plans to try two data usage models in different test markets:
The Avengers and The Hunger Games will be streaming on Netflix early next year. EPIX originally acquired the rights to these flicks. But thanks to a deal Netflix cut with EPIX back in 2010, two of the biggest movie releases so far this year will be available on both services. According to the agreement, The Avengers and The Hunger Games will show up on Netflix 90 days after they premier on EPIX. These movies will also be available for streaming through EpixHD.com. The LA Times said that “Netflix is expected to pay Epix close to $1 billion in licensing fees over the life of the deal.”
One drawback of Roku devices is the limited content. Sure you can get Netflix along with numerous other channels. Yet there’s still a big world outside of Roku’s walls. Even current network shows are hard to come by on Roku without a Hulu Plus subscription. NokNok is one way to do it, but it’s clunky and not ready for primetime. But MediaMall Technologies’ Playon software blows through Roku’s barriers.
- Comcast Customers Finally Score Access To ESPN’s Live Streaming Service - Venture Beat
- Sen. Al Franken To FCC: Still Unhappy About Comcast – NBC Merger - Ars Technica
- Dish Chairman Claims Digital Streaming “Devalues” TV Content – MediaPost News
- Google TVs Made By LG Expected In U.S. On May 21 - PC World
- Google + Hangouts On Air Now Offers Live Broadcasting For All - PC World
- Streaming Mobile TV Surges – Rapid TV News
- Pandora Says its Share of US Radio Listening Reaches Nearly 6% – Radio Info
- Apple In Talks For Streaming Rights With Movie Company That Has Exclusive Netflix Agreement–For Now – Mercury News
Are you a cord-cutter who watches Hulu? Well your days may be numbered. The NY Post has reported that Hulu is planning on requiring users to sign in with their cable or satellite account. So if the Post story is true, no more Hulu unless you’re a pay-TV customer. According to the Post, “the move toward authentication, which could take years to complete, will make cable companies happy because it could slow cord-cutting by making cable subscribing more attractive.” Don’t forget that Comcast, who has been losing video subscribers, is part owner of Hulu. So this move could definitely be to their advantage. But most likely this plan will backfire. Hulu’s free service had 31 million unique viewers in March. Many of these users are already venting their disdain in comment sections around the web. And rightflully so. If Hulu follows through on an authentication plan, it could spark a backlash that will dwarf last fall’s Netflix revolt.
Netflix Falls As Analysts Doubt Subscriber Target – Businessweek
Netflix Erodes Kids’ Networks, Syndicated TV Audiences (Study) – Hollywood Reporter
Microsoft Plans Music Streaming Service – UPI
YouTube is 27% Of Mobile Video Traffic In N. America, Netflix Just 2% – TechCrunch
Sony Sends 15 Million Songs To Cloud To Close iTunes Gap – Bloomberg
Media To Get More Of Hulu – The Wall Street Journal
DirecTV App Adds Streaming For HBO, Starz And Cinemax – Android Community
Spotify To Move In On Pandora’s Territory – SF Chronicle
Infected PCs May Lose Internet In July – USA Today
Popcornflix Aims To Be Top Ad-Supported Movie Streamer – PaidContent
Cartoon Network Expands Live Streaming To Apple’s iOS – Fierce Mobile Content
Walmart’s Vudu Plans Big Int’l Expansion: Streaming Service To Compete With Netflix, Local Players – Chicago Tribune
Hulu Adds New Original Series, Including ‘The Awesomes’ From Seth Meyers – LA Times
Time Warner Cable Brings ESPN, Fox, And Turner Sports Live Streaming To Apps, Website – Engadget
Tricky Time For Netflix As Loss Expected – Reuters
Justin.tv, UFC Settle Copyright Lawsuit – MediaPost
Chin Implants On The Rise; Face Time, Skype May Be To Blame – KABC
Google Ordered To Stop Copyright Violations On YouTube – NY Times
Netflix Plans to Debut All 10 New ‘Arrested Development’ Episodes At The Same Time – Washington Post
NBC To Stream Entire 2012 Summer Olympics Live – Time
Hulu, After Hitting 2M Paying Subscribers, Revises Its Ad & Content Strategy – Venture Beat
Google TV’s TV And Movie App Gets To Know You Better With Ratings, Favorites And More – Engadget
LG Launches 3D World On Smart TVs – ITProPortal
Starz Content Coming To DirecTV Everywhere – Mashable
PlayOn Adds HBO Go Workaround – Seattle Times
MGM Movies Coming To YouTube, Google Play – LA Times
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Blasts Comcast On Facebook – Business Insider
Roku Begins Selling Set-Top Boxes In Canada – Streaming Media
