Telecommunications
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HBO Max Adds Nonfiction Executives
HBO Max, the pending subscription streaming video service from WarnerMedia, Sept. 23 announced the hiring of three senior executives to its nonfiction content production team. Max named Lizzie Fox, SVP of nonfiction programming, and Rebecca Quinn, VP of nonfiction programming. Brett Boydstun was hired as SVP of nonfiction programming as well. “Nonfiction storytelling will be … Continue reading “HBO Max Adds Nonfiction Executives”
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Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Again Top Binge, ‘Criminal: United Kingdom’ Top ‘Show on the Rise’ on TV Time Charts
Netflix’s “Elite” held onto the top spot on the “Binge Report” for a third week, while another Netflix show, “Criminal: United Kingdom,” led the “Shows on the Rise” on the TV Time charts for the week ended Sept. 22. Netflix’s animated Matt Groening series “Disenchantment” took the silver on both charts. TV Time is a free TV viewership tracking app that … Continue reading “Netflix’s ‘Elite’ Again Top Binge, ‘Criminal: United Kingdom’ Top ‘Show on the Rise’ on TV Time Charts”
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AT&T Reportedly Considering Spinning Off DirecTV or Merging Unit With Dish Network
Facing mounting mergers-and-acquisition debt, criticism from an activist investor and changing consumer habits toward pay-TV, AT&T is reportedly considering spinning off its DirecTV subsidiary or combining it with competitor Dish Network. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the situation, said CEO Randall Stephenson is exploring the option despite telling an investor event this … Continue reading “AT&T Reportedly Considering Spinning Off DirecTV or Merging Unit With Dish Network”
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Activist Investor Seeks Ouster of AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, COO John Stankey
With AT&T spending more than $163 billion acquiring DirecTV and Time Warner (now WarnerMedia), the telecom remains challenged paying down debt and orchestrating a clear strategy for the combined assets in an age of cord-cutting. That appears to be the gist why activist investor Paul Singer’s Elliott Management sent a 24-page letter to the AT&T … Continue reading “Activist Investor Seeks Ouster of AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, COO John Stankey”
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AT&T Inks New Tower Agreement for 5G, Wireless Distribution
With more than 160 million wireless subscribers and big 5G aspirations, AT&T needs towers to distribute its network of communication and entertainment properties. The telecom and American Tower Corporation Sept. 3 announced the signing of a new long-term agreement designed to streamline wireless network deployments on American Tower’s U.S. sites, enhancing AT&T’s deployment of 5G … Continue reading “AT&T Inks New Tower Agreement for 5G, Wireless Distribution”
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Report: Comcast Plans to Drop Starz Platforms
In what could be a major blow for Lionsgate and its Starz business unit, Comcast has reportedly told the service that it plans to drop the multilevel video distributor at the end of the year. Should Comcast sever ties with Starz and Starz Encore, the loss of subscribers to Starz would be significant — about … Continue reading “Report: Comcast Plans to Drop Starz Platforms”
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AT&T, Starz Ink New Carriage Agreement, Including OTT Video
AT&T and Starz, a Lionsgate company, Aug. 30 announced a new multiyear content carriage agreement. The deal secures rights for AT&T to offer the full suite of Starz and Starz Encore premium linear and HD channels, on-demand, HD on-demand to subscribers of DirecTV, AT&T TV (formerly DirecTV Now) and U-verse video platforms. “Our customers want … Continue reading “AT&T, Starz Ink New Carriage Agreement, Including OTT Video”
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Survey: U.S. Consumers Cite Video Streaming as Top Use for 5G
The 5G era is set to drive the next wave of growth in video streaming, with 78 percent of U.S. consumers indicating they will expand this activity as they adopt the next-generation wireless standard in smartphones and home-networking solutions, according to a survey conducted by IHS Markit, Digital Orbit. When asked to name which types of … Continue reading “Survey: U.S. Consumers Cite Video Streaming as Top Use for 5G”
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Disney+ Sets Key International Launch Dates, Pricing
The Walt Disney Co. on Aug. 19 said its much-ballyhooed new subscription streaming service, Disney+, will launch in Canada and the Netherlands on Nov. 12, the same day it launches in the United States. The international rollout continues a week later with a push into Australia and New Zealand. Initial pricing is similar to the … Continue reading “Disney+ Sets Key International Launch Dates, Pricing”
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New Disney-Charter Deal ‘Contemplates’ Disney+ Access
Chalk up another positive for Disney+: The Walt Disney Co.’s much-hyped new subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, set to launch in November, may be available to Charter Communications subscribers. A new distribution deal between Disney and Charter, announced Aug. 14, calls for the country’s No. 2 cable operator to continue carrying Disney’s TV and ESPN programming … Continue reading “New Disney-Charter Deal ‘Contemplates’ Disney+ Access”
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Pay-TV Lost 1.5 Million Subs in Q2
As expected, pay-TV took another beating when it comes to retaining video subscribers. New data from Leichtman Research Group found that the largest pay-TV providers in the U.S. — representing about 93% of the market — lost about 1.53 million video subscribers in the second quarter, ended June 30. The loss was up 264% compared … Continue reading “Pay-TV Lost 1.5 Million Subs in Q2”
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Comcast Upping HD Video Charge for Mobile Video
Comcast Cable has begun charging new mobile customers a $20 surcharge for HD video resolution during peak network congestion. Dubbed “HD Pass,” the upgrade is for Xfinity Mobile unlimited lines (720p on phone and 1080p on tablets) to access faster speeds during concerts and sporting events. Without the upgrade, video speed will slow to 480p … Continue reading “Comcast Upping HD Video Charge for Mobile Video”