New data from analytics firm Flurry indicates that mobile app traffic is heavy during the middle of prime time television hours. On weekdays, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., more than 50 million U.S. consumers are using mobile apps, according to the research. While mobile app usage has exploded in the last two years, ratings for numerous prime time shows have fallen. However, shows with older audiences are maintaining viewers — and original online programming continues to grow. Continue reading Mobile App Traffic During Prime Time TV Hours on the Rise

As an increasing number of television viewers are accessing content via tablets and smartphones, apps from the likes of HBO, ESPN and Netflix are growing in popularity. Local TV stations may soon be taking a similar approach to pursuing online and mobile viewers. For example, NBC affiliate KHQ in Spokane, Washington launched its “Watch KHQ” app earlier this month. While content is currently limited, the app suggests a new direction by local broadcasters. Continue reading TV App: Local Station Pursues Online and Mobile Viewers

Last week, Cinedigm announced it was partnering with BitTorrent to help promote the release of Dante Ariola’s “Arthur Newman,” starring Colin Firth and Emily Blunt, which debuted in limited release over the weekend. In less than five days, users of the file-sharing app downloaded one million copies of the film’s 10-minute preview. By comparison, the studio’s official trailer had less than 20,000 views on YouTube over the past three weeks. Continue reading Will BitTorrent Prove a Viable Marketing Tool for Hollywood?

The Huffington Post has finally found a cable TV home for its eight-month-old Internet video channel, HuffPost Live. Starting in mid-May, HuffPost Live will air on Mark Cuban’s AXS TV (previously known as HDNet) daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some of the online interactivity is expected to be emulated by showing online comments on the side of the TV screen, and an app will later encourage viewers to submit comments. Continue reading Online Video News Channel HuffPost Live Coming to Cable

Google announced last week the YouTube Comedy Week, “a seven-day cyber extravaganza designed to showcase some of the best comedy across its expansive video platform,” reports AP. The special online venture is slated for May 19-25, will kick off with a global live stream from Los Angeles, and marks the first of additional event weeks planned around various themes to be held in the near future. Continue reading YouTube Themed Weeks to Grow Platform as Next-Gen TV?

Netflix is spending billions as television evolves from a linear delivery model to a world of competing apps and new screens. CEO Reed Hastings released an 11-page paper this week on the company’s investor relations site that outlines ambitious plans for the future. While we’ve heard some of Hastings’ points in the past, the paper offers new insights regarding the transition from traditional linear TV to a new era of Internet-delivered on-demand content. Continue reading Netflix Spends Big in Effort to Lead Internet TV Transition

In its seventh Transparency Report, Google notes that the number of government requests to censor online content continues to grow. Additionally, it has received court orders to remove blog posts criticizing government officials. “From July to December 2012, we received 2,285 government requests to remove 24,179 pieces of content — an increase from the 1,811 requests to remove 18,070 pieces of content that we received during the first half of 2012,” explains Google. Continue reading Google Transparency Report: Increase in Global Requests

The Chernin Group is producing an unscripted reality series that plans to skip television distribution in favor of a new social media model. The series will be distributed entirely via social platforms including Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Tumblr. The concept is a bold experiment that hopes to target younger viewers on the devices and platforms that have replaced their traditional television viewing. Continue reading Reality Series to Play Out Entirely on Social Media Platforms

Amazon reportedly has plans to launch a television set-top box that would stream video over the Internet to televisions and provide access to the company’s expanding video services, including the Amazon Video on Demand store. The new device, expected as early as sometime this year, would compete with Apple’s set-top box, Apple TV, in addition to video-delivery products from Roku, Boxee, Microsoft and Sony. Continue reading Could Amazon Set-Top Box be an All-In-One Media Center?

Microsoft announced this week that it has scheduled a special Xbox event to be held May 21 at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The company is expected to unveil its next-generation Xbox videogame console during the event, and is believed to be prepping the new console for a holiday release to compete with Sony’s anticipated PlayStation 4. Continue reading Microsoft Plans Event to Unveil Next-Gen Xbox Console

Google has joined a consortium of technology companies that plans to make online accounts more secure. The FIDO Alliance, which was founded in part by Lenovo and PayPal, launched a set of technology standards earlier in the year that could reduce reliance on passwords. The group hopes hardware can have more of a role in authenticating users, and has been working on different ideas such as security chips and voice recognition. Continue reading Google Joins FIDO Alliance: Hopes to Replace Passwords

Beverage giant Coca-Cola has unveiled its multi-year initiative called “The AHH Effect,” produced with ad agency partner Wieden+Kennedy. The campaign will leverage the trend of mobile becoming a first screen for younger demographics and eventually plans to include dozens of digital games and other “snackable” digital experiences. The initiative also marks the first all-digital campaign for the company and a new approach to marketing. Continue reading Coca-Cola Goes All Digital with Focus on Teens and Mobile

According to new projections from DTVE publisher Informa Telecoms & Media, the number of 3D TV homes will jump from 13.5 million in 2012 to more than 100 million by 2017. Asia Pacific is expected to have the highest penetration with 49.6 million, while North America will follow with 33.2 million and Western Europe should see 18.3 million. The 112.7 million 3D homes projected by 2017 will represent 8 percent of global TV households. Continue reading Report Projects Spike in Global 3D TV Adoption by 2017

3D printing company Shapeways, that creates made-to-order products, has raised $30 million from Andreessen Horowitz, Union Square Ventures, Index Ventures and Lux Capital. With the new financial infusion, the company is planning to build factories and bring on new hires. The investment is also expected to enable more companies and individuals access to high-end 3D printers to create and sell their products. Continue reading Shapeways Ready to Become the Amazon of 3D Printing?

The live streaming site Ustream increased its viewership recently with the help of citizen journalism. During the manhunt for Boston bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev, live information was streamed from a police scanner via the free platform. The site drew an audience of 2.5 million, with 265,000 simultaneous viewers at its peak moment. Notably, nearly half tuned in from their mobile devices. Continue reading Citizen Journalism: Ustream Covers Boston Manhunt Live