TV Apps

Disney Junior Appisode App Launches

Combines Interactive Features with Full Episodes of Some Network Shows
By: George Winslow (Broadcasting & Cable) Apr 11 2013 - 9:42pm
Combines Interactive Features with Full Episodes of Some Network Shows
 

Disney Junior has expanded its app offering with a new Disney Junior Appisodes app for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.

The app, which went live on April 11, was developed by the Disney/ABC Television Group's Digital Media team. It features a variety of activities and interactive features embedded into episodes of some Disney Junior shows.

Animal Planet Launches Live Animal Cams

`Animal Planet L!VE' Available Online, Samsung Smart TVs
By: R. Thomas Umstead Apr 3 2013 - 2:28pm
`Animal Planet L!VE' Available Online, Samsung Smart TVs

Fans of cockroaches and puppies can now watch them live on a 24-hour basis with the debut of Animal Planet's new digital service for iPods and connected TV’s.

The Discovery-owned network, in partnership with Audubon Nature Institute, explore.org, National Acquarium, South MountainCreamery and the Washington Animal RescueLeague, is launching Animal Planet L!VE, featuring 10 live animal cams that viewers can access on  the network’s APL.TV website as well as through select Samsung Smart TV’s, according to network officials.

Xbox Wraps Tablet App Around HBO's 'Game of Thrones'

New Game Console Content Partners Also Include Discovery’s Revision 3, PopcornFlix and IndieFlix
By: Todd Spangler Mar 27 2013 - 3:24pm
New Game Console Content Partners Also Include Discovery’s Revision 3, PopcornFlix and IndieFlix

Game of Thrones fans who watch Season 3 replays of the popular HBO series on an Xbox 360 will have a new way to immerse themselves in the show’s sex, violence and dragons -- on a tablet synched with the action on TV.

Microsoft this week is releasing Xbox SmartGlass apps for Game of Thrones, ahead of the Season 3 premiere March 31. The feature works with the HBO Go service on an Xbox, and is available for Apple’s category-leading iPad as well as Windows 8 tablets.

Like, No Way: Facebook Says TiVo Doesn't Have Rights to 'Thumbs Up'

Social Giant Contends TiVo Has Failed to Protect Its DVR Thumb Marks
By: Todd Spangler Mar 26 2013 - 2:26pm
Social Giant Contends TiVo Has Failed to Protect Its DVR Thumb Marks

Facebook and TiVo are wrestling over an icon of the digital media age -- the “thumbs up” indicator -- with the social-media giant arguing the DVR maker has no valid trademark claims on tiny gloved thumbs.

Samsung Bows Fox, Univision Apps With Internet TV Refresh

CE Maker Redesigns 'Smart Hub,' Adds Content Recommendations
By: Todd Spangler Mar 20 2013 - 4:34pm
CE Maker Redesigns 'Smart Hub,' Adds Content Recommendations

Samsung Electronics America this spring will light up Fox and Univision video apps on its Smart TVs, as it also begins shipping its 2013 line of Internet-enabled sets with a revamped interface that includes -- for the first time -- content recommendations.

The Fox Now “TV Everywhere” app provides access to new episodes of shows the day after they air, available to customers of participating pay TV partners. Currently, AT&T U-verse, Mediacom Communications and Verizon FiOS are the three providers that offer access to the Fox Now app for iOS devices.

Big Tweets Map to Big #TVRatings: Nielsen Study

Research Firm Finds Clear Correlation Between Twitter Volume and Viewership
By: Todd Spangler Mar 20 2013 - 10:38am
Research Firm Finds Clear Correlation Between Twitter Volume and Viewership

While TV shows with a Twitter-happy fan base definitely have higher ratings, it still isn’t clear that heavy tweet traffic actually leads to a bigger audience, according to a new Nielsen study.

Nielsen, along with SocialGuide, evaluated fall 2012 premiere and midseason program ratings across more than 140 broadcast and cable programs. The finding: Twitter volume on the day of broadcast was one of only three variables analyzed -- along with prior-year ratings and advertising spend -- that affected TV ratings in a statistically significant way.  

Netflix Finally Pals Up Facebook in the States

Video Service Enables Social Sharing After Congress Updated Privacy Law
By: Todd Spangler Mar 13 2013 - 10:26am
Video Service Enables Social Sharing After Congress Updated Privacy Law

In a bid to ratchet up video viewing hours, Netflix is now letting U.S. subscribers share their favorite TV shows and movies with friends on Facebook, after Congress earlier this year amended a 1980s-era video privacy law.

Weather Channel Moves Elemental to Internet Storm Front

Programmer Uses Encoders for Live Streaming Video to Mobile Apps, Web Services
By: Todd Spangler Mar 5 2013 - 11:33am
Programmer Uses Encoders for Live Streaming Video to Mobile Apps, Web Services

The Weather Channel is using Elemental Technologies’ video-encoding systems to deliver live programming over the Internet to millions of users through its mobile apps and Web properties, as well as YouTube.

The programmer has deployed the Elemental Live software, which runs on off-the-shelf graphics processing units (GPUs) instead of special-purpose chips, in its Atlanta operations center, according to the companies.

Rate Hikes Fuel Pay TV Subscriber Discontent: Survey

Only 0.8% of Cable, Satellite Customers Have 'Cut the Cord' in Last 12 Months, According to Poll
By: Todd Spangler Mar 1 2013 - 11:56am
Only 0.8% of Cable, Satellite Customers Have 'Cut the Cord' in Last 12 Months, According to Poll

While just 0.8% of pay TV subscribers surveyed said they canceled their cable or satellite TV service in the last 12 months, steady price increases are a major factor prompting millions to ponder pulling the plug, according to a new study.

The survey, commissioned by video search and discovery vendor Digitalsmiths, found that about 80% of pay TV customers are satisfied with the value provided by their current provider.

Viggle Founder Lends $25 Million More to TV App Startup

Second-Screen Venture Posts Q4 Loss of $12.4 Million on Revenue of $3.9 Million
By: Todd Spangler Feb 14 2013 - 2:27pm
Second-Screen Venture Posts Q4 Loss of $12.4 Million on Revenue of $3.9 Million

Second-screen startup Viggle, which offers users prizes like Starbucks and Best Buy gift cards for watching TV shows, is continuing to rapidly burn through cash -- posting a $12.4 million net loss on revenue of $3.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 -- and with the company in need of additional capital, founder and CEO Robert F.X. Sillerman has extended a second line of credit of up to $25 million.

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