HBO Talking about pay-per-view online.

HBO are in talks for broadcasting over a web service like Apple TV and Google as an 'a la carte' version - in other words, pay-per-view. 

HBO Go is already on Apple TV but only for subscribers only - so this pay-per-view version makes total sense and something we blogged about before. In fact in April 2014, where we suggested (!) that the only way to go for cable TV was "to introduce pay-per-view to supplement subs".

You can search the blog top left of this page or copy here;

http://streamabout.blogspot.ie/2014/04/pay-tv-is-going-to-be-in-decline.html

This will push HBO to compete with Netflix given they have 'True Detective', 'Game of Thrones' and many other quality series.

A huge amount of online viewers watch 'on demand' rather than on subscription and this will capture those. This is also now a fundamental issue for 'Sky' this side of the water and they need to take notice.

But online broadcasting, online TV, is taking a further twist. Better content online will continue to drive viewers away from traditional TV Stations. Their days are numbered.

(And thanks to Adforce's Kevin Foley for pointing it out. Always on the ball.)

Updated March 9th - HBO Announce Apple as their streaming partner so the service will be available on all Apple devices.

Amazon Instant Video gets Airplay Support on Apple TV. This changes things. Again.

Amazon instant video has now got fully updated with Airplay support on Apple TV.

What does that mean?

It means you can use their App to watch Prime Instant Video and The Amazon Instant Video store on your Apple TV. Like Netflix, it's a big upgrade for their competitor as Apple (who may control connected TV's) have reached a deal with Amazon.

It also allows full integration with Amazon's IMDb which you might be familiar with and which also gives information on movie casts, soundtrack, history etc. In turn that allows them to offer you a Movie by the same Director? or including the same cast? So a lot more integration.

You can also have other features which traditional TV doesn't give you; like customer reviews or ratings; like "if you like this, watch this"; like concurrent downloads; like so much stuff enhancing your viewing.

The App is free and fully compatible too. Amazon, having tried to buy 'Roku' and not completing it, were rumoured to be producing their own set-top box. This may indicate that they've decided not to. 

As I see it, it's a clear example of a "deal" being done between a content provider (Amazon) and a device supplier (Apple). In other words, if you want your content on a device such as Apple TV, you'll need to do a deal too.

Which will worry many because "free to air" on standard TV's, might not be a distribution route in the future simply because, standard TV's will phase out as they're replaced with Connected TV's. I suggest it's unlikely that your next TV will be a standard TV and more likely a connected one.

And if you want to "do a deal" say as a traditional content supplier, Apple will need to be convinced that they want your content firstly. And even if they do (they may not want 'home produced' features or local content for example), you can be outbid by cash rich dotcoms to keep you off.

How would Irish news for example, fit into this platform? Streamed online means moving around whilst a free App might do it? Don't know, but it will disrupt.

So this will change the world. 
Because it changes distribution.

Connecting Internet TV. Easy to do, saves a fortune (no more cable sub), greater choice and the licence fee goes. Not a bad day's work then.

In a recession, one way to reduce your costs is to switch from cable TV to internet or "connected" (as it's called) TV.

After all, the channels that you currently have are all online and about a million more. Plus you get your videos on demand (like Netflix), YouTube content, Facebook/Social Media, a music centre through itunes and a whole lot more. So it makes sense anyway - but when money is that bit tighter, now's the time to make the move.

What you do need is a good, strong internet connection which most of us already have and are paying for anyway. The better the connection the better the download speeds but generally things are improving all the time.

Next you need a "smart" TV. Don't have one? No problem. Most Blue Ray players and gaming consoles have this capability of internet connection but failing that, buy a streaming box (like a Roku box as illustrated circa 100 euro) in somewhere like Peats in Dublin. Easy to buy, easy to connect and job done.

It's as simple as that.

Some obscure programming is not online but that's more than compensated by what is and you'll just have saved yourself that monthly cable subscription as well as, the licence fee if you're in backward Ireland.

So internet connected TV makes sense economically as well as by choice. It's cheaper and better, which are the watchwords of Irish businessman, Denis O'Brien. Make it cheaper and better and it's a winner.

So a little trip to the electrical retail store to buy a streaming box (if you don't already have a connected device) and you're up and running.

It's going to happen anyway so you might as well get in first and impress your friends as well as save some money. And in Ireland, I'm guessing you don't have to pay a licence fee either? Why would you. After all you're using a computer not a TV and you're watching other stations rather than the national broadcaster, RTE. Because if you've choice, you'll move on.

So does this mark the end of the licence fee? I can't think why it doesn't. Apart from anything else, you'd have a monitor on your wall and a laptop - not a TV in sight. So it would be impossible to police. Maybe RTE would like to correct me?

Another saving.

Is this the start of the end of licence fee income?
It's sure going to have a massive impact on viewership.

Apple's worth is 539 billion, with 117 billion cash, new financials show 20% growth. But shares fall 6% and Media are on their case. Why?

 
Apple have just posted their financials.
And everyone is on their case - like they hate to see you doing well.

They used to say the Irish hated two things. Success and Failure.
But the disease seems to be spreading globally. Virally.

The company is doing fine but below expectations....particularly because of a slide in Iphone sales after 5 years on the market....but being well replaced by a surge in 2 year old Ipad sales and as the Ipod starts to move well down the food chain.

Apple TV has also gained (and very quietly) 4 million sales which sure surprised me.

Iphone still accounts for the bulk of revenue at 16 bilion usd (46% of total income) although well below its previous quarter and is still in a battle with Samsung both in the courts and in the shops. Clearly Samsung is winning on the street probably due to lower price points for pretty good phones (which Apple claim, they copied). Or possibly, people are holding off to buy the new Iphone later this year.

Following behind is Ipad with sales of 26 milion units and 9 billion revenue. The Mac portable is at 3.6 billion with Itunes and the App store at 2.1 billion. The poor Ipod is only now at a mere 1.1 billion. So you see the typical brand lifecycle as older products move aside to allow for new ones - which is the clear point, that you have to keep innovating.


Apple TV sold 1.3 million devices in the last quarter alone which points to a reason for Apple to further their interest in this market with a fully fledged push late in 2012. Just wait until they start marketing it properly! And of course, this is Samsung's space too.


This is the most valuable company on the planet and still growing with a value of 539 billion. Rumours of the new "Mini Ipad" will further bolster sales when it is launched, as well as, the new Mac Retina Pro.

Wall Street didn't like the numbers forcing CEO Tim Cook to explain the Europe as a market was "flat" and notably Germany, France, Greece and Italy. Although UK sales were up 13%. Greater China posted a nearly 50% growth and growing at an "incredible rate" according to Cook!

But the headlines are, such as just posted on Ireland's national broadcaster today, RTE, that "Apple results miss target, first time since 2003, shares fall 6%".

What?

Overall, the company's revenue is up 20%, although lower than expected but what a performance.

It has 117 billion usd in cash reserves and the App store ploughs on as well as 150 million Icloud users.


This is a company that deserves its status.

A company that understands brands and the need to keep on developing products as older ones reach the end of their lifecycle. Apple TV will be the next big thing, make no doubt about it.

They just seem to get everything right and I would think, with that amount of cash reserves, it's hard to see what Apple cannot do. 


A quality brand, a quality company.
Incredible in fact.

Everyone wants to tell you how badly everyone else is doing.

And when they do, share price falls.

In the case of Apple, the headlines are beyond ridiculous.