Tag: streaming

YouTube Blames ISPs

Posted on by Lab Team

Shots fired, again! Joining the blaming game that was just played by Netflix, YouTube is now publicly shaming the internet service providers for the low streaming speed experienced by some users. Now when your buffering speed is less than optimal, a blue notification bar pops up under the video that directs you to a comparison page between other ISPs in your area, which ranks providers based on the average speed they provide for their customers on YouTube.

The message is loud and clear: ISPs are responsible for whether your video playback is smooth. As the heat between OTT service companies and ISPs continues to rise, especially with the debate over net neutrality caught in recent media spotlight, Google, along with other internet-based companies, is no doubt working this user-experience angle as a subtle PR campaign. The effectiveness of this campaign, however, remains to be seen.

Spotify Hits 10 Million Paid Subscribers

Posted on by Lab Team

Spotify is managing to stay ahead of the pack – that pack including the recently-purchased Beats Music – as it hit its 10 millionth paid subscriber, doubling the number of premium customers it had just a year and a half ago today. It took Spotify four years to land its first five million, so to double its paid subscriber count in just a year and a half represents a massive accomplishment, and evidence of growing support. Though profits still remain hard to come by, 10 million users is nothing to scoff at.

Yahoo Moves Into Video

Posted on by Lab Team

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo is looking to acquire the type of video content that is propelling Netflix to the forefront of peak domestic Internet traffic. Those on the inside say that Yahoo wants to purchase four web series, and is looking to push them via a new streaming medium. Although Yahoo declined to comment for now, it seems as though Yahoo wants to very seriously push the content out as a major source of new revenue – as the TV market continues to fragment, Yahoo would love to pick up some of those pieces from traditional TV markets. Yahoo wants to have the content ready for up-fronts starting on April 28th. And, knowing Yahoo’s stance on advertising, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a very big push into the marketing and native space in conjunction with TV shows. 

Millenials Spend More Time Watching TV Content On Other Devices

Posted on by Lab Team

A study from Deloitte has found that teens and younger twentysomethings spend more time watching TV shows and movies on other devices than their TV. Not surprisingly, desktop was leading the charge as the greatest TV competitor while approximately 8% of all viewing occurred on a gaming device. These stats point to why Chromecast and Roku streaming sticks are gaining traction as they couple the interactivity of mobile with the larger display of TV.

Amazon To Shoot Originals In 4K

Posted on by Lab Team

Amazon is planning to shoot its original content in 4K, the ultra-HD format that will be the industry standard in the living room…eventually. For now, 4K is practically a proof-of-concept with the lack of 4K TVs on the market and even less content available. It’s a ‘chicken or the egg’ scenario as TV manufacturers require content and content creators require an audience. Nevertheless, Amazon is positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation and will unquestionably give 4K some much needed momentum.

Beats Launches Streaming Music

Posted on by Lab Team

Beats Electronics announced a new streaming music service called Project Daisy. On the heels of acquiring MOG last year, Project Daisy aims to sell listeners – and Beats owners, of course – music by every artist you can think of. According to Beats, Trent Reznor had a big hand in the project. There’s no word on when the service will launch, and there’s no word about pricing or the complete artist library that’s promised; nor is there any word on royalties or how the service will actually run on a profit. What’s for sure, though, is that the music streaming sphere is becoming awfully saturated, awfully quickly. 

Disney Releases Shows Before TV Air Date

Posted on by Lab Team

In a move aimed at children, the Disney Channel is promoting its new phone and tablet apps by giving away 9 episodes of “Sheriff Callie’s Wild West” online, several months before the show airs on TV. It’s an acceptance of the fact that children specifically live in a world where they’re used to on-demand entertainment service, and expect this sort of delivery from shows. It’s a new paradigm that favors Amazon, Netflix, and other digital services, that cable providers and networks are going to have to contend with, perhaps sooner than later. The next generation of children simply don’t understand – or want to live within – the limits of live television anymore. 

YouTube Plans Spotify For Music Videos

Posted on by Lab Team

YouTube, the number one destination for music is preparing a premium on-demand music video service that looks a lot like Spotify. With both free and premium models, users get access to a breadth of music that is organized by album and artist in a way that makes it a more lean back experience than YouTube currently offers. Amidst serious competition from Spotify and Pandora and a precedent of free services, can YouTube breakthrough the clutter?

NBA Will Allow Local Cable Subscribers To Stream Games Free

Posted on by Lab Team

In a move that would be the first of its kind in sports history, the NBA is close to signing an agreement that would let cable customers stream their local teams online, for free. It’s a bold play by both the NBA and the TV networks involved, as it’s a drastic increase in services at no cost. Nonetheless, given the pace at which options like Aereo and Roku are encouraging young cable subscribers to cut the cord, it’s a concession to the simple fact that expectations are changing: sports fans increasingly want to live-stream games, wherever they are, on whichever device is suited to that moment. 

Spotify Now Available In Taiwan, Turkey, Greece, & Argentina

Posted on by Lab Team

Spotify today announced that Greece, Turkey, Taiwan, and Argentina are all getting access to the music streaming service. According to the company, they’re now in 32 total “markets” worldwide with over 24 million active users over the course of 7 years of existence. The last major expansion, in April, was when it arrived to Mexico, Malaysia, and many others. The most notable country left out of Spotify’s realm thus far is Canada; regardless, Spotify – if it wasn’t already – is a certifiably global service.