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VideoNuze Podcast #364: Top Takeaways from Industry Conferences
I’m pleased to present the 364th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
First, Colin and I are proud to announce our very first podcast sponsor, Akamai Technologies, which will show its Media Acceleration capabilities and range of cloud-based solutions at the NABShow in Las Vegas, in booth SL3324. Click here to schedule a meeting.
Colin was in London for the TV Connect show earlier this week and on today’s podcast, he shares his 3 top takeaways. Meanwhile earlier this week I was in NYC for the Advanced Advertising conference and I then share my 3 top takeaways.
As you’ll hear, data was on both of our lists. Interestingly though, our conversation reveals a very different approach to how users’ data is being treated. Colin elaborates on the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which will enforce minimum collection standards on Internet companies in Europe, whereas just this week, the U.S. House voted to repeal the broadband privacy rules.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (24 minutes, 3 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Advertising, Data, Podcasts, Technology
Topics: Akamai, Podcast, YouTube
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VideoNuze Podcast #363: Interview With FOX Sports’ SVP Clark Pierce
I’m pleased to present the 363rd edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week Colin and I interview Clark Pierce, who is SVP, TV Everywhere and Special Projects at FOX Sports. Online delivery of sports has become a big driver of video consumption, as FreeWheel’s Video Monetization Report for 2016 highlighted earlier this week. As Clark explains, FOX Sports has fully embraced streaming sports, including 2 different Super Bowls, the World Series, multiple soccer tournaments, professional golf, NASCAR and more.
Clark details how Fox Sports has focused on the authenticated TV Everywhere model for sports streaming to an ever-growing array of connected and mobile devices. He shares insights about how FOX Sports approaches delivery quality, with detailed modeling of live audiences. Clark also talks a lot about how FOX Sports is continuing to innovate the viewer experience, incorporating data, multiple streams, audio and much more.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (30 minutes, 6 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Podcasts, Sports, TV Everywhere
Topics: Fox Sports, Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #362: Connected Devices Go Mainstream
I’m pleased to present the 362nd edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
It’s no secret that we’re all using all kinds of connected devices these days to consume video. To help illustrate just how mainstream a behavior this has become, this week Colin and I review data from a number of recent research reports that have hit our radar. The takeaway is that consumers are taking advantage of the myriad choices they now have. See how your own video consumption aligns with the key trends.
Listen in to learn more!
(Note, we had a little problem with audio quality which we’ll hopefully fix for next week)
Click here to listen to the podcast (22 minutes, 10 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Topics: Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #361: Pay-TV’s Woes Illustrated in TiVo’s Research
I’m pleased to present the 361st edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week Colin and I discuss TiVo’s 16th quarterly Video Trends Report, which we both covered this week (here and here). We agree that the pay-TV industry has painted itself into a high-cost corner. The consequences of this are increases in cord-cutting, cord-shaving and adoption/use of SVOD, reduction in perception of per channel values and budding interest in new skinny bundles.
All of this is bad news for the industry and the report illustrates the specifics of each of these trends.
The report is available as a complimentary download here.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (20 minutes, 38 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Cable TV Operators, Podcasts, Satellite, Telcos
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VideoNuze Podcast #360: YouTube TV’s Pros and Cons
I’m pleased to present the 360th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
Earlier this week, YouTube took the wraps off its skinny bundle, YouTube TV. In today’s podcast, Colin and I explore the pros and cons of YouTube TV and also revisit our debate over skinny bundles’ value proposition. We’re both somewhat skeptical about YouTube TV, given the sheer number of popular cable TV networks missing from its lineup. But with YouTube’s massive user base and promotional opportunity, we both believe YouTube TV will attract an audience.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (23 minutes, 51 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Podcasts, Skinny Bundles
Topics: Podcast, YouTube TV
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VideoNuze Podcast #359: Interview With Cisco’s Mobile Video Analyst Arielle Sumits
I’m pleased to present the 359th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week Colin and I interview Arielle Sumits, who is the senior analyst and founder of Cisco’s Visual Networking Index (“VNI”), which has become the gold standard for forecasting data traffic on fixed and wireless networks globally. The interview is focused on mobile video, which the latest VNI forecasts will account for 78% of mobile traffic in 2021.
Arielle shares many insights about what’s driving mobile video as well as the nuances of the market. We dive into the role of smartphones, the trend toward unlimited data plans by mobile carriers, the impact of “reverse migration” from WiFi networks, how video applications like social, live-streaming and long-form viewing will grow, which companies are driving mobile video content usage, how zero-rating will impact mobile viewing, 5G’s rollout schedule and lots more.
Overall, Arielle provides terrific context on mobile video’s future and her comments reinforce my belief that mobile video is at a tipping point.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (32 minutes, 26 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Mobile Video, Podcasts
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VideoNuze Podcast #358: Apple and Facebook Have Contrasting Ambitions in Video
I’m pleased to present the 358th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
Apple and Facebook have contrasting ambitions in video, with the former pursuing a very modest approach while the latter appears to be embarking on an all-out company pivot to being video-first.
Earlier this week I wrote about Apple’s new TV series, “Planet of the Apps” and “Carpool Karaoke” spinoff. They each have their own appeal, but are far from the expensive undertakings we’ve seen from Netflix and Amazon, for example. That means that far from re-inventing TV as Apple was one predicted to do, it will in fact continue to play a very small role, which Colin and I see as a real missed opportunity.
Meanwhile, Facebook has confirmed it will launch connected TV apps as the company aims to have users expand how they engage with the social media giant. Colin and discuss some of the pros and cons of the CTV approach and also Facebook’s motivation, which is to attract TV ad dollars.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (24 minutes, 30 seconds)
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Topics: Apple, Facebook, Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #357: Super Bowl Streaming and NFL Viewing; Assessing HBO Now’s Growth
I’m pleased to present the 357th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
First up, Colin shares his experiences streaming the Super Bowl on numerous services and devices. Overall the video quality was pretty strong, especially on Sling TV. Colin also used the Fox VR app with Google Cardboard and relays his reactions.
While Super Bowl LI was one of the best-viewed in history, NFL ratings this past season declined across the board and we discuss what’s likely happening. As I wrote earlier this week, the wide adoption of ad-free SVOD feels like a major culprit.
We then transition HBO Now, which Time Warner reported earlier this week now has over 2 million subscribers. Neither Colin nor I are super-impressed with HBO Now’s growth, especially by comparison with Netflix’s performance in the same time period. We both think HBO Now’s relatively high price of $15/month is the key issue.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (25 minutes, 53 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Cable Networks, Podcasts, Sports, SVOD
Topics: HBO Now, Podcast, Super Bowl
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VideoNuze Podcast #356: Exploring "TV As An App," Super Bowl Ads
I’m pleased to present the 356th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week we explore the concept of “TV as an app,” which represents a paradigm shift in how TV is accessed by viewers. Of course the rise of Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and others has paved the way for app-based viewing, but an entire TV lineup being delivered via an app to a connected TV device is still a significant change from conventional set-top box-based viewing.
“TV as an app” got a boost this week with Comcast’s beta release of the Xfinity TV app for Roku. I’ve given it an initial try and provide some observations. In addition, Colin was moderating a panel on video apps this week and shares further insights he heard.
We then shift focus to this Sunday’s Super Bowl, which will once again feature multiple free streaming options as well as localized dynamic ad insertion in the streams, which is a first. I’m keeping an eye on the ads to see if they offer any meaningful viewer engagement.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (23 minutes, 8 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Advertising, Apps, Cable TV Operators, Devices, Podcasts, Sports
Topics: Comcast, Podcast, Roku, Super Bowl
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VideoNuze Podcast #355: Millennials Go Cordless, Netflix Reality TV, YouTube Targeting and FCC’s Overhaul
I’m pleased to present the 355th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week we discuss four topics that caught our attention and we wrote about: research from GFK MRI that 30% of U.S. millennials are now “cordless” (here), Netflix’s move into reality TV programming (here); Google enabling YouTube ad targeting based on users’ searches (here) and the new chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai (here). We dig into all of these topics and discuss their implications.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (24 minutes, 49 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Advertising, Millennials, Podcasts, Regulation, SVOD
Topics: FCC, GfK, Netflix, Podcast, YouTube
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VideoNuze Podcast #354: Interview with Sling TV’s Chief Product Officer Ben Weinberger
I’m pleased to present the 354th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week Colin and I interview Sling TV’s chief product officer Ben Weinberger. We’ve known Ben for many years from when he was CEO and founder of Digitalsmiths, which was acquired by TiVo.
As loyal listeners know, we’ve discussed “skinny bundles” like Sling TV many times on the podcast and so the interview was a great opportunity to get Ben’s views on the category in general and how Sling TV specifically is doing. We discussed many different topics, including the role of broadcast TV networks and antennas, sports and regional sports networks, how subscribers use the service on different devices, how Sling TV fits with SVOD services and much more.
Importantly, Ben talks a lot about Sling TV’s value propositions including offering more choices and flexible packages. We wrap up with Ben sharing his views on where the market is heading over the next few years.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (33 minutes, 15 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Podcasts, Skinny Bundles
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VideoNuze Podcast #353: Lots of Reasons to be Optimistic About Mobile Video’s Growth
I’m pleased to present the 353rd edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
There are lots of reasons to be optimistic about mobile video’s upcoming growth and on this week’s podcast, Colin and I explore them. 2017 is setting up as a major year of change for mobile video, with numerous positive catalysts.
These include wireless carriers zero-rating their video services and investing in content, mobile data plans becoming more flexible, cable operators entering the wireless market, Facebook emphasizing video, smartphones’ enhanced capabilities, a more conducive regulatory environment and much more. (Colin and I also wrote about these earlier this week here and here)
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (20 minutes, 25 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Mobile Video, Podcasts
Topics: AT&T, Comcast, Facebook, Podcast, T-Mobile, Verizon
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VideoNuze Podcast #352: Predictions for 2017
Happy New Year! I’m pleased to present the 352nd edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week Colin and I share our top predictions for the video industry in 2017. We also look back at our predictions for 2016 and rate how we did, which was pretty good.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (27 minutes, 33 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Podcasts, Predictions
Topics: Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #351: The Top 10 Online Video Stories of 2016
I'm pleased to present the 351st edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
In this week’s podcast Colin and I discuss our top 10 online video stories of 2016. It’s been another incredibly busy year with tons of industry innovation and progress. As always, it has been a lot of fun to analyze all of this and report on it. Let us know what you think of our choices, whether you agree or disagree!
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (29 minutes, 45 seconds)
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Topics: Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #350: Lots of Reasons Why Sports TV Will Be Under Pressure in 2017
I'm pleased to present the 350th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week we return to the cost of sports and specifically why sports TV will be under pressure in 2017. Colin noted new SNL Kagan data this week that sports programming now costs pay-TV operators $18.37/month, which is 40% of their total programming budget. Colin also noticed that DirecTV is planning to increase its rates by $2-$6/month next month, which it blamed on the rising costs of programming.
These types of increases will no doubt contribute to a rising level of cord-cutting and cord-nevering, especially for entertainment-centric viewers who now have more choices of great TV shows to watch than ever and therefore have less reason to pay for expensive multichannel bundles. We’ve seen some of this effect already in the soft NFL ratings this season. Then there’s the question of where skinny bundles will fit in with sports; they’ll almost certainly have to keep sports to a minimum to maintain low rates.
As we discuss, all of this threatens the unique value of sports as a firewall for pay-TV, live viewing and advertising - the reasons why sports rights have ballooned in the first place. 2017 is going to be a very important in redefining sports’ actual value in the video ecosystem.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (22 minutes, 45 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Topics: DirecTV, Podcast, SNL Kagan
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VideoNuze Podcast #349: DirecTV Now Has Potential and Limitations
I'm pleased to present the 349th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
DirecTV Now, the latest skinny bundle to launch, was unveiled on Monday. In this week’s podcast, Colin and I provide our initial assessment. Given AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson’s bold reveal a few weeks ago that it would include over a 100 channels for just $35/month, there’s been a lot of anticipation that DirecTV Now could be a genuine industry disruptor.
Well, it turns out the 100+ channels are actually available at $60/month (the “Go Big” tier), though temporarily on special for $35/month. However, the base tier (“Live a Little”), which includes 60+ channels, turns out to be pretty decent itself, especially with a very aggressive $5/month HBO offer. What’s gained by moving up to Go Big for an extra $25 is actually not that impressive.
Still, as we discuss, with no DVR, limited VOD, scarce broadcast TV (and no CBS at all) and a 2-stream cap, DirecTV Now feels like a niche product. At least for now, that means it will have little impact on incumbent pay-TV operators, tamping down concerns it could roil the industry. Skinny bundles still have lots of challenges, though 2017 is going to be an active year, especially with Hulu and YouTube coming, so it will be worth keeping a close eye on whole category.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (23 minutes, 43 seconds)
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Topics: DirecTV Now, Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #348: Cord-Cutting Update; How Do Ads Fit Into Video’s Future?
I'm pleased to present the 348th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
We lead off this week with a cord-cutting update, based on reported Q3’16 results from the 11 largest pay-TV operators in the U.S. Video subscriber losses expanded a bit, to 255K in Q3 ’16 vs. 210K in Q3 ’15, with a continuing shift to cable operators and away from satellite and telco. As I wrote on Wednesday, depending on how the DirecTV Now, Hulu and YouTube skinny bundle launches in 2017, subscriber losses could accelerate.
We then shift to discussing new TiVo survey data that provides insights about online video viewers’ tolerance for ads. As Colin points out, despite respondents stating they have a low tolerance, their behavior suggests otherwise. That suggests there’s more potential for ad-supported premium video, in addition to the SVOD model that has thrived.
Speaking of ads, I also point out the surprising research from Brightcove this week, that 46% of people who watched a branded video on a social platform then made a purchase. That’s the kind of performance that gets marketers’ attention and could portend an increase of more TV ad dollars moving to social.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (24 minutes, 24 seconds)
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The VideoNuze podcast is also available in iTunes...subscribe today!Categories: Advertising, Cord-Cutting, Podcasts
Topics: Brightcove, Leichtman Research Group, Podcast, TiVo
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VideoNuze Podcast #347: Facebook’s Video Ambitions
I'm pleased to present the 347th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
On this week’s podcast we discuss Facebook’s video ambitions. Colin was in London at the OTT TV World Summit where he saw a fascinating presentation by Matthew Corbin, who’s in global product marketing for Facebook. Colin shares highlights of what he learned, including how Facebook thinks of itself as the “world’s discovery agent.” Matthew said Facebook thinks of itself “not as a broadcast network, but as a network of broadcasters,” which feels like an apt description. Combined with Facebook’s targeting capabilities, this translates to lots of potential.
On Facebook’s Q3 ’16 earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg also highlighted how he wants video to be at the center of all of Facebook’s apps and services. It’s becoming clearer that the primary way Facebook is going to be able to continue its torrid revenue growth is by shifting over more TV ad spending, hence the push toward video.
After discussing Facebook, we shift gears and spend 5 minutes reviewing the excellent Comcast-Netflix integration which I wrote about earlier this week.
Listen in to learn more!
Click here to listen to the podcast (23 minutes, 26 seconds)
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Topics: Comcast, Facebook, Netflix, Podcast
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VideoNuze Podcast #346: Is YouTube’s Own Success Hurting YouTube Red’s Prospects?
I'm pleased to present the 346th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
This week Colin and I discuss YouTube’s continued success, picking up on my post from earlier this week. Google’s executive team highlighted YouTube’s contribution to the company’ Q3 ’16 financial results. One of the big reasons is the viewer- and advertiser-friendly TrueView ad format, which can be skipped in 5 seconds.
But TrueView’s popularity has created a high bar for ad-free subscription services based on YouTube content, to succeed. Vessel was one victim and now even YouTube’s own YouTube Red SVOD service, which has a reported 1.5 million subscribers, is under the same pressure. Colin and I explore the issues YouTube Red faces.
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Click here to listen to the podcast (22 minutes, 58 seconds)
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VideoNuze Podcast #345: At $35 Per Month, Is DirecTV Now Going to Disrupt the Pay-TV Industry?
I'm pleased to present the 345th edition of the VideoNuze podcast with my weekly partner Colin Dixon of nScreenMedia.
What a week it’s been. Google Fiber’s expansion being put on hold. Vessel sold off just for its technology to Verizon. Twitter planning to close Vine. And yet, none of those are the big story of the week for today’s podcast.
Rather, we dig into the news that DirecTV Now will be priced at just $35/month, a level which virtually guarantees it will be a money-loser from day 1 for AT&T. Worse, it runs the risk of cannibalizing high-margin existing pay-TV subscribers from both DirecTV and other pay-TV operators. We don’t know yet which “100+ premium” channels will be in DirecTV Now, but if they include most of what people are currently paying 2-3 times as much for per month, it could be very disruptive.
More broadly we discuss AT&T’s pay-TV strategy, the DirecTV acquisition last year and now the pending Time Warner deal. All of it is a real head-scratcher for me.
Listen in to learn more!
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Topics: AT&T, DirecTV Now, Podcast