Retail
-
Another Cable TV Operator Switching to Streaming Video
The migration from pay-TV to over-the-top video among distributors is gaining momentum. Gigabit Minnesota, a regional pay-TV operator near Minneapolis, is getting out of the TV distribution business. In an acknowledgment of changing market forces toward streaming video, Gigabit has begun informing its 10,000 customers that it would cease distributing linear TV on Jan. 31. … Continue reading “Another Cable TV Operator Switching to Streaming Video”
-
Comcast Loses 149,000 Q4 Cable Subs; Record 733,000 Subs in 2019
In another reminder the traditional pay-TV business model’s leak is widening, Comcast Cable Jan. 23 reported a drop of 149,000 video subscribers in the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2019. The nation’s largest cable operator lost a record 733,000 video subs in 2019 — underscoring consumers’ growing disinterest in the cable bundle and migration toward … Continue reading “Comcast Loses 149,000 Q4 Cable Subs; Record 733,000 Subs in 2019”
-
Another Cable TV Operator Switching to Streaming Video
The migration from pay-TV to over-the-top video among distributors is gaining momentum. Gigabit Minnesota, a regional pay-TV operator near Minneapolis, is getting out of the TV distribution business. In an acknowledgment of changing market forces toward streaming video, Gigabit has begun informing its 10,000 customers that it would cease distributing linear TV on Jan. 31. … Continue reading “Another Cable TV Operator Switching to Streaming Video”
-
Netflix Opening Italian Office in Rome
Netflix continues its European charm offensive, reportedly setting up Italian operations (with 30 employees) in Rome — a week after doing the same in Paris. Both regional headquarters include increased investment in local content production, in addition to paying taxes. “Since the launch of the service in Italy in 2015 we have been welcomed with … Continue reading “Netflix Opening Italian Office in Rome”
-
‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ Conjures Up First Place on Disc Sales Charts
Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil debuted at No. 1 on the NPD VideoScan First Alert chart, which tracks combined DVD and Blu-ray Disc unit sales, and the dedicated Blu-ray Disc sales chart the week ended Jan. 18. The fantasy sequel, a follow-up to the 2014 “Sleeping Beauty” adaptation Maleficent, earned $113.8 million at the domestic … Continue reading “‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ Conjures Up First Place on Disc Sales Charts”
-
Comcast CFO: We’re Not ‘Chasing’ Unprofitable Consumers
Following the disclosure that cable giant Comcast lost 149,000 pay-TV subscribers in the quarter, and 733,000 subs in 2019, with increased sub losses mounting in 2020, CFO Mike Cavanagh went on the offensive on the Jan. 23 fiscal call, dismissing much of the sub losses to so-called unprofitable customers. It’s a slippery strategy considering ongoing … Continue reading “Comcast CFO: We’re Not ‘Chasing’ Unprofitable Consumers”
-
Trans World Entertainment Selling f.y.e. Retail Chain
Trans World Entertainment Jan. 23 announced it is selling its flagship f.y.e. (For Your Entertainment) home entertainment retail chain to Sunrise Records and Entertainment Ltd. for $10 million. The deal, pending shareholder approval, would transfer the retail brand (operating in U.S. malls and Puerto Rico) and web properties (www.fye.com and www.secondspin.com) to the parent of … Continue reading “Trans World Entertainment Selling f.y.e. Retail Chain”
-
BYUtv Creates Distribution, Format Partnership with Kelencontent
Brigham Young University’s branded television and streaming video platform, BYUtv, has announced a partnership with Kelencontent to represent the distribution and format rights for its long-running hidden camera prank TV series, “Random Acts.” Now in its fifth season, “Random Acts,” features unscripted half-hour episodes offering audiences a new twist on the hidden camera genre with … Continue reading “BYUtv Creates Distribution, Format Partnership with Kelencontent”
-
Comcast Loses 149,000 Q4 Cable Subs; Record 733,000 Subs in 2019
In another reminder the traditional pay-TV business model’s leak is widening, Comcast Cable Jan. 23 reported a drop of 149,000 video subscribers in the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 31, 2019. The nation’s largest cable operator lost a record 733,000 video subs in 2019 — underscoring consumers’ growing disinterest in the cable bundle and migration toward … Continue reading “Comcast Loses 149,000 Q4 Cable Subs; Record 733,000 Subs in 2019”
-
Kansas Pay-TV Operator Switching to Streaming Video Only
In a sign of the times, Rainbow Communications, a 67-year-old pay-TV operator based in Everest, Kansas, has begun notifying customers that it will cease distributing linear broadcast TV channels, effective June 30. In the place of pay-TV, Rainbow will enable customers direct access to third-party over-the-top video distribution through its broadband network. “Most of our … Continue reading “Kansas Pay-TV Operator Switching to Streaming Video Only”
-
Amazon Music Tops 55 Million Subscribers
Amazon Jan. 22 disclosed that entering 2020 its branded music streaming service — Amazon Music Unlimited — has generated more than 55 million customers globally, with subscriptions growing more than 50% in 2019 across the U.S., U.K., Germany and Japan; more than doubling in France, Italy, Spain and Mexico. In the second half of 2019, … Continue reading “Amazon Music Tops 55 Million Subscribers”