Broadband Video Companies Category
Companies that have an interest in Web Television, video and TV via the Internet (IPTV)
It continues to amaze me and many others how online television and video offerings are being compartmentalized by territory, when the Internet is a truly global playground. An International Hulu shouldn’t actually be necessary but unfortunately it is. But at least it’s on its way, which is better than nothing.
International Plans
Hulu has reportedly had plans to roll-out internationally for a while. In March, the company hired a senior vice president of international operations whose role was described as being “responsible for leading Hulu’s expansion efforts outside the United States.” Then in May, these plans to expand outside of the U.S. borders were revealed.
There were newspaper reports at the time stating that Hulu was in negotiations with several large British broadcasters, including ITV and Channel 4. The plan was to make the UK the first port of call in an international roll-out of Hulu. Each country would get a localized service, with some American shows available alongside shows from that territory.
Joost seems to heading ever closer to death. It’s refocusing on becoming a white label video provider, is letting go of most of its staff, and has lost Mike Volpi as CEO. Less than three years after being founded, the Joost story looks set to come to an end fairly soon.
The Pirate Bay has sold out, to a Swedish company no one has ever heard of. The acquisition has been confirmed but the future of the site is still mired in confusion. Could this be a Napster moment for the file-sharing community, or could this actually be a good thing?
Michael Jackson’s death has dominated all areas of the media since Thursday, online video included. The King Of Pop may be no more but his influence on the world continues on.
Big-hitting and ever-popular shows such as The Simpsons and CSI now carry a higher advertising rate on the Web than they do on television. Is this the moment we have been waiting for - when the digital revolution starts to pay for itself?
The social side of online video is becoming an increasingly important tool in demonstrating the divergence between traditional broadcasts and Web-only broadcasts. Facebook is now taking advantage of this sector of the market with its new Live Stream Box. Ustream is the first company to take advantage of the Facebook Connect feature.
