Netflix has been through some well-documented ups and downs, but for those who still have doubts about the company, Netflix had a resounding answer this week: 27.15 million. That’s the number of American homes that presently subscribe to the streaming service, a number exceeding even the company’s own expectations for the fourth quarter of 2012. Continue reading Netflix Strategy Takes Root, Numbers Surge in Fourth Quarter

According to a new study from research firm GfK Media, consumers are streaming online video more than ever before, but only a reported 17 percent of pay TV subscribers have watched cable programming online using TV Everywhere services. The study represents the “latest bad news” for the TV Everywhere initiative, reports the Wall Street Journal. Continue reading New Research Indicates TV Everywhere is Not Yet Everywhere

The use of second screen apps is on the rise and many companies are looking to not only capitalize on that growth, but to continue transforming the interactive viewing experience. Among them, TweetTV is trying to separate itself from the pack by offering a real-time social TV guide that serves as a one-size-fits-all solution across all devices. Continue reading TweetTV in Beta: Your Real-Time Interactive Social TV Guide

Akamai wants to leverage the largely untapped potential of second screen viewing. Nielsen recently reported that 40 percent of U.S. television viewers use a smartphone or tablet while watching television. While individual shows and networks have created their own second screen apps, most have failed to effectively capture large audiences. Akamai hopes to change that with one service that streams relevant content in near real-time. Continue reading Akamai Demonstrates New Real-Time Second Screen Solution

Twitter has released the Twitter TV Book, a breakdown of tweet-based analytics of second screen viewers in the United Kingdom. The analysis includes details regarding user demographics, devices used, television program genres and tweeting habits. Twitter says about 60 percent of the UK’s 10 million active users tweet while watching television. Continue reading Twitter TV Book Examines Second Screen Tweeting in the UK

Do Aereo’s search marketing tactics prove that the TV service infringes copyright? A coalition of networks suing the company “says in court papers that it needs to examine records from Google about Aereo’s AdWords campaigns. That advertising information allegedly ‘bears directly’ on whether Aereo’s $8-a-month service potentially harms the market — which can be a factor in copyright infringement,” reports MediaPost. Continue reading Aereo: Will AdWords Campaign Prove Copyright Infringement?

Samsung unveiled its new Smart TV Evolution Kit at CES, which will bring software updates to older Samsung Smart TVs including improvements to CPU, GPU, and other software features. Samsung knows rapidly advancing technology can in some cases act as a sales deterrent, and hopes the Evolution Kit will convince consumers to invest in current Smart TVs by promising technology updates to keep the functionality from becoming stale. Continue reading Evolution Kit: Samsung to Provide Smart TV Software Updates

According to former Microsoft Windows President Steven Sinofsky, this year’s CES was about “refinement across many product lines.” This includes mobile, service integration, build quality, social integration, connected life and more. Mobile took top prize for being “front and center for every product” at CES, which goes hand-in-hand with social integration and connected life — all of which is happening via mobile devices. Continue reading CES 2013: Former Windows President Reflects on Trade Show

DISH unveiled a second screen app at CES complete with remote control, discovery and a programming grid. The app will challenge competitors like Zeebox and Peel, and unlike the third party competitors, DISH has the built-in advantage of working as the supplier of both first and second screen content. This eliminates some of the complications third party developers must overcome and could give DISH a leg up. Continue reading CES 2013: DISH Introduces New Second Screen App for iPads

ETCentric correspondents Carolyn Giardina and George Gerba discuss the major trends on display at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. During the 5-minute video recap, Carolyn and George review this year’s breakout star — 4K — by discussing displays, content, cameras and upscaling technologies. They also address areas such as tablets, smartphones, second screen apps, and glasses-free 3D. Continue reading CES 2013: ETC Provides Show Recap, 4K Leading Trend (VIDEO)

In addition to flat OLED panels at CES, both Samsung and LG generated attention with prototype 55-inch Curved OLED TVs. According to Samsung, the curved panel provides depth for a more “life-like viewing experience” and an immersive panorama effect not possible with flat panels. The curved screens are said to be ideal for vast landscapes and nature scenes, similar to that of an IMAX experience. Continue reading CES 2013: Curved OLED Prototypes on Display in Las Vegas

Canon is showing it line of cameras including the EOS-1D C, EOS C100, EOS C300 and EOS C500 (which began shipping last month with a $30,000 list price). It also announced two additional Cinema EOS Primes, a 14mm and 135mm, both slated to ship in the spring. Larry Thorpe, national marketing exec and senior fellow at Canon USA, offered his take on the direction of 4K. Continue reading CES 2013: Larry Thorpe Discusses Canon and a 4K Viewpoint

Toshiba showed that it is serious about 4K with a range of Ultra HDTVs, including the L9300 series that will be available in 58-, 65- and 84-inch LED models. To demonstrate what native 4K would look like on its displays, the company showed 4K content shot with a RED Epic camera and played from the soon-to-be-released, $1,450 REDRAY 4K Cinema Player. Continue reading CES 2013: Toshiba Teams With RED For 4K Ultra HD Demo

Sharp showed a 32-inch 4K IGZO monitor, initially aimed at professional applications such as CAD, architecture and medical applications. The Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) technology increases the amount of light transmitted per pixel. Continue reading CES 2013: Sharp Shows 4K IGZO Monitor, 4K and 8K TVs

Cisco forecasts that by 2016 all forms of video (TV, VoD, Internet, and P2P) will account for some 86 percent of global consumer traffic. So how are they addressing such a future? At CES, the company presented its vision for the “Future of Television” by showcasing its newest version of Cisco Videoscape Unity, a hardware/software platform for video service providers (and we have video). Continue reading CES 2013: Cisco Intros New Take on Videoscape Unity (VIDEO)