Amazon has taken on the episodic version of Zombieland in order to add to its Instant Video lineup. Which further cements the feeling that television networks are becoming a resource we could well do without, either now or in the near future.

Amazon Takes On Zombieland

Amazon is developing a TV series based on Zombieland, a hit movie starring Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and a cast of unnamed zombies. Oh, and featuring a cameo by Bill Murray.

Zombieland began life as a proposal for a TV series, with CBS buying a pilot. The network decided not to proceed, so writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick turned it into a screenplay for a movie which was eventually released in 2009.

There have been rumors of a sequel, which then morphed into rumors of a TV show based on the movie. That looks like it’s going ahead, but funding is coming from Amazon rather than CBS or any of the other big U.S. networks.

Zombieland looks set to be an Amazon Prime exclusive, but with the project only just getting underway it could be some time before it sees the light of day.

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Google is currently carrying out a full-on assault aimed at cementing its place on iOS and Apple devices. We’ve already witnessed the Apple Maps vs. Google Maps conflict, and the latest front in this ongoing war is Capture, a new YouTube app clearly aimed at usurping the current default camera app.

YouTube Capture

YouTube Capture, which will appear simply as Capture on the homescreen of your iOS device, is designed to simplify the process of capturing, uploading, and sharing video clips recorded on mobile devices.

It’s currently only available on iOS for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but Google is already working on bringing the dedicated app to Android as well. Capture gives you multiple options in one complete app, all of which benefits YouTube, and, consequently, Google.

After recording your video clip you can label it, use enhancements such as stabilization and color correction, trim the length, and even add a soundtrack. You can then upload it to YouTube and/or share it with various social networks. All without ever having used Apple’s own camera app.

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Netflix has signed a new deal with Disney which will see first-run movies from the media company streaming through the service from 2016. This is a big deal for Netflix, and its shares immediately rose after the news was revealed.

Blurred Lines

The lines between release windows and methods of viewing content are being blurred more and more as time goes on. We’ve already seen films released on demand as well as, or sometimes even instead of, in theaters.

This trend is set to continue, especially as the streaming companies find more money to offer traditional media companies for their wares. Money talks, even (or perhaps especially) when it comes to the big players.

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You may very well be sick of Gangnam Style by now, but there are more people discovering this song every single day. With YouTube crucial to Gangnam Style becoming a worldwide phenomenon, it’s no wonder the PSY hit has become the most watched video on the site.

Most Liked, Most Viewed

Gangnam Style became the most liked video of all time on YouTube in September, knocking LMFAO off the top spot. Now, Gangnam Style has become the most viewed video of all time on YouTube as well.

This time PSY knocked Justin Bieber off the top spot, with his Baby having held the top spot since 2010. Gangnam Style has been watched more than 835 million times, and all since it was first posted to the Google-owned video-sharing site on July 15, 2012.

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Nintendo launched the Wii U, its new home games console, in North America on Sunday (Nov. 18). Netflix and Hulu Plus are now both available through the Wii U, and both take advantage of the GamePad tablet controller to offer a second screen experience.

Netflix

Netflix arrived on the Wii U on day one, with existing Netflix users able to access the app by signing in. Non-members are instead invited to sign up for a free trial.

The Netflix app on Wii U takes advantage of the GamePad, the tablet-style controller that is Nintendo’s big idea with this console. Information about whatever you’re watching shows up on both the television and the GamePad, while the latter acts as a remote control while content is being played on the TV.

By selecting the ‘Play on GamePad‘ option playback switches from the TV to the controller, which also supports 1080p video. In this way you can leave the room while continuing to watch whatever content was previously playing on the television.

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Hulu Kids is a new dedicated section for children where Hulu will host commercial-free programming for younger generations. This is something Netflix introduced a while back, but for Hulu it’s a case of better late than never.

The Internet Generation

Children have always been avid television viewers. They’re also very open to new experiences, so many have switched to online options such as YouTube, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer much more quickly and readily than their parents.

This means that the online television portals have a need to cater to this younger generation of viewers, or risk losing them to the competition. With the online video sector still evolving, losing young viewers now could mean losing them for the longterm.

Netflix introduced a section named ‘Just For Kids‘ that is, unsurprisingly, just for kids, some time ago, and now Hulu has finally followed suit.

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Up until now there has been one noticeable absence from the programming line-up offered on Hulu. But a new deal struck between Hulu and CBS means all the major networks are now on board. Just as Hulu seems to be heading into choppy waters.

Hulu Bags CBS

ABC, NBC, and Fox have been on board the Hulu ship since it set sail in 2007. These three networks are all partners in the initiative, and they’ve added other networks and channels to the line-up over the course of the five-year voyage.

CBS opted to remain behind and offer its content on its own terms on its own site. However, it has previously licensed The CW slate of programming to Hulu, as well as offer some content through Hulu Japan.

After a new deal was struck, CBS content will now be found on Hulu from January 2013. Hulu Plus subscribers will get first dibs on the programming, with a selection of shows also being rotated through the free Hulu service.

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