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Interesting News Dave Hasn’t Covered

I just couldn’t seem to find the time… Philips patents digital flags to prevent channel changing or content advancing during commercials. (New Scientist) The facts and fiction of 1080p. (Team Xbox) Podcasts outnumber radio stations. (eWeek) Windows Media Player 11 to be released this summer. (Thomas Hawk) Portable VLC released. (PortableApps) Windows smart-phone maker HTC … Read more

CNET To Expand TiVo VOD Programming

CNET’s weekly holiday tech downloads must have been successful, because they’ve announced an expansion of VOD segments — this time ad supported. They plan to launch 2-3 hours of monthly programming, broken into 15 minute segments, beginning in June. Neat, I guess… but where’s my TiVo movie download feature?

CNET Announces CNET TV; Cox Communications, TiVo Inc., and TVN Entertainment Sign on to Launch CNET TV On-Demand; CNET to Bring On-Demand Experience to Its Web site

SAN FRANCISCO–April 17, 2006–CNET, a source of information and inspiration for a world gone digital, and a property of CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET), today announced “CNET TV,” a new video-on-demand (VOD) service that packages a selection of CNET’s popular video content for distribution on television and online. CNET TV will launch initially with partners Cox Communications Inc., TiVo Inc., and TVN Entertainment, as well as on CNET in the second half of the year.

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March Madness: SportsLine v. Slingbox

Ah, March Madness… definitely amongst the top sporting events. The first two days are especially exciting, each consisting of about 12 hours of competition and, if we’re lucky, some amazing upsets. I have no idea who Northwestern State is, but they sure were dramatic in sending Iowa home.

As I mentioned last week, CBS is webcasting games for free via March Madness on Demand. So I decided to check it out and compare the service to Slingbox.

My CBS SportLine experience didn’t get off to a good start with a 10 minute wait (see image below) followed by a Marriott commercial before I could access the feeds. Once in, I had several games to choose from — though one was blacked out due to regional restrictions. I’m not certain if that was determined by my IP address and/or the information in my profile. The CBS SportsLine site had banner ads as promised, but what I hadn’t realized is that they’d also be serving commercials during time outs. Though, they must not have sold all their ad space as static “Stay Tuned” graphics often replaced commercials.

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March Madness Webcast Free

Awesome! A network finally gets it. We don’t want to pay for content online — something about that model irks; we’ve grown accustomed to web content being free. CBS will broadcast every game of the first three rounds in the NCAA basketball tourney. March Madness on Demand does require you to register and will blackout … Read more

TiVo Hosts… Speed Dating?

This one’s pretty amusing… TiVo is hosting a match-making singles party (free drinks!) at a “hip” San Francisco hotel. I can’t decide if this is marketing genius or lunacy. TiVo says: Ever wish your TiVo WishList or TiVo Suggestions could score YOU the perfect match? Come flirt with the possibility of finding your own special … Read more

TiVo Analyzes Super Bowl

TiVo has released their annual Super Bowl analysis compiled from an “anonymous” sampling of data from 10,000 boxes. On average, TiVo viewers hit rewind, replay, or pause more than 100 times during the broadcast. Two of Pittsburgh’s touchdowns were replayed more than four times each and Ameriquest topped the most replayed commercials. Many of the … Read more

TiVo Opens New York Office?

Based on two recent job postings, it appears TiVo is expanding their Media and Advertising team into New York. Under CEO Tom Rogers, TiVo has been aggressively seeking out partnerships and deals — this move is indicative of that trend. I posed some questions to TiVo’s media relations agency, but haven’t heard back yet. Director … Read more