TV Apps

One-Fifth of U.S. Homes Have 3DTVs: CEA Study

Trade Group Estimates 5.6 Million Units Shipped in 2012
By: Todd Spangler Jan 3 2013 - 11:52pm
Trade Group Estimates 5.6 Million Units Shipped in 2012

While 3D television sales have fallen well short of the consumer-electronics industry’s hopes, 3DTVs have steadily made headway with 21% of U.S. homes now owning at least one 3D-enabled set, according to a study by the Consumer Electronics Association.

Unit sales of 3DTVs in 2012 were an estimated 5.6 million, representing 18% of total TV sales, according to the CEA. That’s up from 8% of total TV sales in 2011.

CBS Syncs Up New Second Screen App

CBS Connect iPad App Offers Social Media Tools, Enhanced Experiences for TV Viewing
By: George Winslow (Broadcasting & Cable) Jan 3 2013 - 3:47pm
CBS Connect iPad App Offers Social Media Tools, Enhanced Experiences for TV Viewing

CBS is launching a new free second screen iPad app for its programming that allows viewers to access a variety of social media tools for all of its daytime, primetime and late-night programming. The app also offers additional synchronized content and interactive features for three of its popular dramas, with more to follow.

CES: Zeebox to Add Content Recognition to Second-Screen Apps

Startup Picks Gracenote’s ACR to Automatically Identify TV Programming
By: Todd Spangler Jan 3 2013 - 1:18pm
Startup Picks Gracenote’s ACR to Automatically Identify TV Programming

Zeebox, the U.K.-based startup whose backers include Comcast, NBCUniversal and Viacom, plans to integrate Gracenote’s Entourage automatic content recognition system into its TV companion apps to “listen” to audio and identify programming on the big screen.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The companies plan to demo Zeebox featuring Gracenote Entourage next week at the International CES in Las Vegas.

LG Revamps Google TV Lineup

Consumer-Electronics Maker to Launch Two New Models at CES 2013 Next Month
By: Todd Spangler Dec 27 2012 - 5:22pm
Consumer-Electronics Maker to Launch Two New Models at CES 2013 Next Month

Still hoping to gain traction with its Google TV products, LG Electronics will show off two revised TV models based on the Internet giant’s software platform at the 2013 International CES next month that the company says are easier to use and feature a sexier industrial design.

The new models, GA7900 and GA6400, are available in various sizes screen sizes. Both feature LG’s redesigned Magic Remote Qwerty to work with Google TV to “enhance the effectiveness” of voice search and the PrimeTime quick guide, according to LG.

Nintendo Turns Wii U Game Controller Into TV Remote

Company’s TVii Service to Launch in U.S. and Canada on Dec. 20
By: Todd Spangler Dec 19 2012 - 11:44am
Company’s TVii Service to Launch in U.S. and Canada on Dec. 20

After a one-month delay, Nintendo on Thursday expects to launch a service for its new Wii U game console in North America designed to let users find programming in pay TV listings and online video sources, and control their cable or satellite set-top box.

Nintendo’s TVii (pronounced “TV”) service merges multiple content sources, such as a Comcast channel lineup or Hulu Plus subscription, letting Wii U owners use the GamePad touchscreen controller to find and launch video content.

DirecTV Brings Shows From 30-Plus Networks Into TV Everywhere Lineup

New Programming Partners Include A+E, Scripps, Showtime and Viacom
By: Todd Spangler Dec 18 2012 - 2:45pm
New Programming Partners Include A+E, Scripps, Showtime and Viacom

Giving the authenticated pay TV model another push forward, DirecTV has added on-demand titles from more than 30 networks to its TV Everywhere website and apps, through deals with media companies including A+E Networks, Scripps Networks Interactive, Showtime Networks, Smithsonian Channel and Viacom Media Networks.

TWC Plugs VOD Into iPad TV App

Operator Offers More Than 4,000 Titles from 91 Content Providers
By: Todd Spangler Dec 12 2012 - 12:54pm
Operator Offers More Than 4,000 Titles from 91 Content Providers

Time Warner Cable released an update Tuesday for its TWC TV app for iPad tablets that offers access to more than 4,000 TV and movie video-on-demand titles from 91 providers, in addition to more than 300 live TV channels depending on video package and market.

Cablevision Streams Live TV, VOD to Android Devices

MSO’s App Compatible With Select Samsung and Motorola Devices
By: Todd Spangler Dec 3 2012 - 1:22pm
MSO’s App Compatible With Select Samsung and Motorola Devices

Cablevision Systems announced that its Optimum App -- which among other features provides video and broadband subscribers access to their full TV and video-on-demand lineup over home Wi-Fi -- is now available for select Android devices from Samsung Electronics and Google’s Motorola Mobility.

Starz Wants to Marshal 'Spartacus' Superfan Digital Army

Programmer Launches Second-Screen Campaign, Sweepstakes for Series’ Final Season
By: Todd Spangler Nov 29 2012 - 10:57am
Programmer Launches Second-Screen Campaign, Sweepstakes for Series’ Final Season

Looking to rally tune-in for the fourth and final season of its Spartacus sword-and-sandals original series, Starz Entertainment has launched Battle For Nuceria -- a season-long “transmedia” experience for the show’s superfans -- ahead of the January 2013 premiere.

The Battle For Nuceria campaign will provide more than three hours of exclusive video and include elements for devoted viewers to follow along in real time during the upcoming Spartacus: War of the Damned.

FiOS TV's Multiscreen Lineup Diverges

Telco Provides 75 Live Channels via LG Smart TVs and iPad, But Only 26 to Xbox and Samsung TVs
By: Todd Spangler Nov 28 2012 - 3:56pm
Telco Provides 75 Live Channels via LG Smart TVs and iPad, But Only 26 to Xbox and Samsung TVs

Verizon Communications is streaming up to 75 live TV channels to FiOS TV and Internet subscribers on LG Electronics’ Internet-connected TVs and Apple iPad tablets -- but the telco still offers just 26 through Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles and Samsung Smart TVs.

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