Gary Arlen's blog

Retransmission Consent Policy Making in 2013 Unlikely

By: Gary Arlen Dec 4 2012 - 8:30am

It’s gratifying when an hour-long discussion about the contentious issue of retransmission consent concludes with unanimous agreement from broadcast and cable lawyers.

The title of the Nov. 30 webinar was “Is 2013 the Year for a Revolution in Retransmission Consent Rules?”  Ultimately, all parties said, “No.” 

Cable Questions Broadcasters’ Plan to Push Interactive Triggers

By: Gary Arlen Nov 29 2012 - 3:04pm

In about a month, the Advanced Television Systems Committee will issue a “candidate standard” for broadcast triggers – tiny bits of code embedded into the TV video stream that will tell smart TV sets to open an app or enable some other interactive function.

The cable industry is not thrilled about the plan.

Andy Scott, vice president-engineering at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, wonders if “this is the right way to deliver triggers to receiving devices.”

Cable Program Opportunity as Google Reduces Original Channel Funding

By: Gary Arlen Nov 20 2012 - 1:15pm

When Google reveals the program creators who will receive the next $100 million in funding for original YouTube channels, the list will only include about 30% of the producers who got Google’s money in last year’s initial program investment round.

Crystal Balls: Home Networking and TV Sets

By: Gary Arlen Nov 8 2012 - 4:30pm

For this week’s episodes in the never-ending saga of “Encouraging Forecasts,” we turn our attention to two promising prognostications involving home networks. As always, we offer the proviso: check back next year – or in a couple years – to see if these predictions, like any others, come even close to future reality.

PON Unlimited Called 'Successor to RFoG Long-Range Architecture'

By: Oct 4 2012 - 12:48pm

Two ARRIS executives will introduce hybrid architecture they call “Passive Optical Network Unlimited” (PONU) at this month’s Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers Cable Tec-Expo.

MVPD Issues Punctuate FCC’s Broadcast Spectrum Auction Plan

By: Gary Arlen Oct 5 2012 - 3:46pm

Deep within the FCC’s broadcast spectrum incentive auction plan are frequent sections affecting cable and satellite operators or, in FCC parlance, Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs). 

"Phablet"- And What It Represents - Encourages Telecom Law Rewrite

By: Jun 4 2012 - 11:22pm

Among the worst neologisms of the current multi-platform frenzy is “phablet,” a term coined in the computer/communications world to describe devices that fall between a smart “phone” and a “tablet.” In other words: a jumbo phone or a shrunken tablet with about a 5- to 7-inch screen.

In a new forecast, ABI Research predicts that more 208 million phablets will be shipped globally in 2015. That tally includes products such as the Samsung Galaxy Note and new devices from HTC, LG, Huawei and, presumably, many others, including Apple.

“The larger screen sizes make a significant difference to the user’s experience when compared to conventional-sized touchscreens between 3.5 to 4 inches,” says senior ABI analyst Joshua Flood. (The ungainly term “phablet” was apparently first used in 2010 to describe the failed Dell “Streak” small-screen tablet.)

ABI’s report (released coincidentally about the same time as the recent Cable Show) resonated because of the convention’s extensive discussions about wireless services and use of mobile devices. Interpreting the ABI forecast - with its underlying implications about the growing role of handheld devices - serves as a blunt reminder about the increasing overlap between wired and wireless services.

Even more significantly, the roles of carriers - in both categories - continue to be redefined as the providing companies intersect and overlap. Those confrontations will spur more calls for a true overhaul of the telecommunications law. Although Congress, in its current disarray, is unlikely to prioritize any such action, the revised communications landscape - and “airscape” - will increasingly call for a truly integrated policy assessment. The historically diverse regulatory regimen - separate approaches for media and telecom - is increasingly irrelevant.

At the Cable Show, the launch of Cable Wi-Fi by a quintet of MSOs featured the promise that subscribers could use the unlicensed local spectrum to watch TV shows. That’s a strong, appealing alternative - competitive service - to the broadcasters’ much-heralded mobile Digital TV (mDTV) initiative. Comcast’s “Video2go” service promises a way to offload cell phone traffic to Wi-Fi networks, and enable free calling.

You can bet that the legacy “phone companies” heard that one!

During the past decade as phone and cable companies shed their traditional tech-specific corporate names and became “Communications” firms - as in Verizon Communications, Comcast Communications, Cox Communications - they have also positioned themselves as all being in the same industry. Even the dysfunctional policy-makers have figured out that situation, and some may be savvy enough to recognize the need for a new omnibus approach to legislation.

Devices like the “phablet” - or whatever names emerge to describe the new products that deliver all kinds of communications to end-users - are further reminders about the collision of once-separate systems. The value of multi-functional cross-platform services is appealing to customers, although most of them will surely never understand why they might have to use different products in distinct ways because of arcane regulatory systems.

Revised telecom legislation is coming, despite the inevitable, formidable roadblocks that industries will put in it way. You can look that up on your phablet.

Silver-Haired Wisdom and Perceptions

By: May 26 2012 - 2:05am

Did anyone notice what else the four executives on the “Sports Panel” segment of Wednesday morning’s General Session had in common? Yes, of course, they were all white males, but that comes as no surprise, especially for a sports/media conversation.

Cable Show 2012 sports panelThe shocking uniformity was the lack of hair-stylist coloring or even a dab of Grecian Formula. David Hill of Fox Sports, David Levy of Turner Broadcasting and David Stern of the National Basketball Association all sported their silver or white manes; for John Skipper of ESPN, the stubble on his shaved dome looked, shall we say, “seasoned.”

The image was astounding at event where peppy youth or color-corrected seniors are usually taking the stage. As a graying guy myself, I was pleased to see my kind of people expounding on second-screen opportunities, the options for studio sports and global digital distribution.

The quartet offered real wisdom as well as engaging humor, all with a competitive undercurrent.

One reason I was so attuned to the silvery patina of this particular panel was the feedback I received during the Cable Show about my roster of memorable moments from previous annual NCTA conventions. The list appeared in Monday’s Multichannel News show daily.

Of the many kind comments, I noticed that “older” executives had read it in the print edition, probably the ones slipped under their hotel doors early Monday morning. Younger readers - let’s say under 45 years old - had almost all seen the digital version, probably via their tablet or smart phone. It was a striking reminder about who reads newspapers and who relies on electronic information. Both contingents were loaded with suggestions for events that I should have included - rightly so, but print does have its (space) limitations.

My favorite comment came from CableLabs president Paul Liao (I promised not to divulge his age, but it’s definitely above 45).

“Was it in print, too?” he asked.

No Appointment Needed for Seinfeld on Thursday at 9

By: Jul 18 2012 - 10:10pm

What are you doing Thursday at 9 pm? Watching Seinfeld.

But this time - starting at 9 pm on July 19 - it’s not “appointment television” as was the 1990s hit in the same “time slot.” Tune in anytime to the new Jerry Seinfeld show, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” to see a show that really is “about nothing.” In each streamed web episode, Seinfeld and one of his cronies, including (of course) Larry David, Michael Richards, Bob Einstein, Alec Baldwin, Ricky Gervais and others, will sit around sipping and schmoozing.

Crackle.com, the Sony Pictures Television subsidiary that is distributing the new Seinfeld show, offered scant details about the web programs - not even how many episodes or whether the show will be ad-supported. Not coincidentally, Sony Pictures TV handled the original linear Seinfeld series.

Nowadays it is hardly surprising that big stars are opting for Web distribution rather than conventional linear shows on cable or broadcast channels. Seinfeld himself is no stranger to the webisodes world. In 2004, he created short branded entertainment web videos for American Express, appearing with Superman.

What is fascinating about the Crackle/Seinfeld venture is its timing. It debuts in mid-July - a favorite time for premieres of many linear cable TV series - rather than in the conventional autumn “new TV season.” It’s a reminder that the Web really has no seasons.

By coincidence, this week has also seen a new slew of reports about the growing attention to the value of web advertising - both the viewers and to ad agencies.

A report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau not only shows increasing appetites for short programs, often delivered by mobile devices. It also points to the growing appeal for such content across many demographic groups.

Separately, BrightRoll Inc., a digital ad network, published its annual “US Video Advertising Report,” a survey of agency executives.  Among its findings is that while significant ad spending is moving toward online video, agencies are perplexed about how to measure the success of web video commercials. About equal portions (roughly one quarter) of respondents cited “views,” “brand lift” and “sales impact” - while others prefer measuring click-through rates, gross rating points or other factors.

Yet another analysis from Videoplaza contends that online video advertising is not keeping up with Internet video consumption. The study indicates a 53% growth rate from 2011 to 2012 in the revenues for online video ads, but warns that media owners “risk missing out on growth” if they don’t monetize services to “a full range of connected devices,” which includes mobile handsets, laptop and desktop computers and smart TVs as well as ‘net-connected Smart TVs.

This latest confluence of research - and yes, I know we can find such upbeat promises almost ubiquitously - underscores the drive behind Sony and Seinfeld’s “comedians in cars” direction. Will Seinfeld’s followers want to see old comics drinking coffee?

We’ll be watching to see if “something” actually happens.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Gary Arlen is president of Arlen Communications LLC in Bethesda, Md., and a long-time interactive TV enthusiast. Reach him at GArlen@ArlenCom.com  

Doubling The Viewing Value

By: Jul 24 2012 - 7:37pm

“Multiscreeners” - viewers who use a tablet or smartphone while watching TV - are significantly more likely to stay in the room and not change channels during commercial breaks.

They also become more engaged in the program and advertisements, according to a new British study, “Screen Life: The View from the Sofa.”  The Thinkbox research was designed to help marketers understand the increasingly popular context in which viewers simultaneously look at their handsets while watching TV.

Although there’s a popular misconception that such viewers are distracted from the program and commercials, the Thinkbox report, based on COG Research findings, points to new opportunities in developing two-screen experiences. The report takes on added timeliness, given the multiscreen emphasis that Comcast and NBCUniversal are placing on the Olympics coverage.

For example, the study identified that 81% of multiscreeners stayed in the room and did not change the channel during the ad break. That compares to 72% of TV-only viewers who stayed tuned during commercials. Screen Life study participants said that multiscreening - like other new TV technologies, such as digital video recorders - makes them feel closer to TV by enabling them to research what they watch, share with online friends and participate in the show.

Nearly one-third of multiscreeners chat about TV shows or ads on a second screen; this rises to 56% for viewers aged 16 to 24 years old. The study found that 22% chatted via text; 18% via social media; 10% via mobile messenger services.

Thinkbox’s simultaneous viewing/texting findings are almost identical to those in the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project report last week about “connected viewers” who use their mobile devices to supplement their TV viewing.

The complex Thinkbox/COG psycho-physiological analysis acknowledges that many viewers conduct non-video-related functions while watching TV, such as checking email or general web surfing. But the study also uncovered a variety of TV-enhancing behaviors.

For example, when only one person was in the room and was multiscreening, 64% of their TV viewing sessions lasted for longer than 15 minutes. This compares to 47% when watching with no accompanying activity. When two people were present, the increased personal interaction dropped the level to 41% of viewing sessions lasting longer than 15 minutes.

That was a reminder about the growing role of personal viewing. Yet the researchers also concluded that multiscreening may encourage more shared and family TV viewing. Study participants said that partners and children are more likely to keep a TV viewer company if they can multiscreen. Previously they might have not stayed in the room.

Most significantly, the study found that multiscreening does not affect ad recognition. In a companion lab test, Thinkbox found that there was “no significant difference in the level of ad recognition between people when multiscreening or only watching TV.”

Neil Mortensen, Thinkbox’s research and planning director, concludes that multiscreening gives viewers “the ability to act on what they see immediately. We’ve always multitasked in front of the TV, but two screening is an incredibly complementary accompaniment.”

The report adds to the growing evidence that viewers will take advantage of the new tools available to them. Networks from HBO and Showtime to ESPN are already capitalizing on the enhanced opportunity. For example, Showtime will present a simul-viewing feature (offering character info, plot summaries and more) to accompany every major primetime show during the coming season. ESPN is readying similar multiscreening options, such as personalized instant replays via second-screen devices, for the coming college football season.

Clearly, there is more than one way to watch what happens at the same time.

Gary Arlen is president of Arlen Communications LLC in Bethesda, Md., and a long-time interactive TV enthusiast. Reach him at GArlen@ArlenCom.com  

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