The Slingbox Q&A - shaking up the TV industry with technology
Launched six months ago in the UK, Sling Media’s ‘place-shifting’ devices have shaken up the TV value chain to such an extent that broadcasters, ISPs and mobile operators are all seeking deals with the firm.
They use a disruptive technology that allows people to watch TV content remotely from PCs, laptops or mobiles.
We asked Stuart Collingwood, the company’s VP of Europe, how mobile, web and IPTV developers can make sure they're not left out of the action.
Blog round-up: The Venice Project, Friendster and Wal-Mart’s Web 2.0 woes
A summary of today's major stories doing the rounds throughout the blogosphere...
Google to buy YouTube for $1.65bn in web video push
Google is to acquire YouTube for $1.65bn in an all-stock deal, in a move that may spark a flurry of M&A activity across the internet sector.
YouTube will remain a distinct, standalone brand, with the founders and all 67 employees remaining with the company.
Battle for YouTube commences - Google vs News Corp?
Michael Arrington has reported a rumour that Google “may be in the final stages” of a US$1.6 billion deal for video sharing behemoth YouTube.
If the rumour is true and the deal goes through it could be another coup for Google, though it might yet turn out to be a big headache for the search giant, as YouTube has some significant issues with regards to copyright and content control.
Nonetheless, YouTube is now a real A-list website among the world's internet users and surely it is just a matter of time before the founders accept an offer. The mooted valuation reflects the company's meteoric growth.
Google, for obvious reasons, told us that it couldn't comment on the rumour either way, as is company policy. YouTube is being reported as keeping schtum too.
BT signs music deal with Sony BMG
Sony BMG has struck a deal with BT to offer on-demand access to music videos through the telco’s upcoming IPTV service, BT Vision.
EU plans are threat to new media firms, says Ofcom
Ofcom has warned that the EU’s proposed Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) directive could force new media companies to relocate outside Europe.
The UK media regulator said research it had commissioned from RAND Europe showed the proposals could “significantly increase regulatory costs and uncertainty” for multimedia firms.
BT enters social networking space
BT has teamed up with American group Podshow to launch a UK version of the popular aggregation service for user generated content.
The site – an interesting link between social networking sites and traditional TV programming - provides a platform for individuals, record companies and media outlets to post and edit audio and visual content online.
Sky to stream Champions League matches
Sky Sports has announced its digital Champions League plans ahead of tonight’s group games, including live online coverage of matches for the first time.
Digital Bites - A Week In The Video Downloads Sector
LOVEFiLM's Craig Sullivan provides a weekly overview of the key news stories to emerge this week in the online video sector...
Craig's digital video roundup
Here's LOVEFiLM's Craig Sullivan's weekly digest of the key news affecting the digital media sector.
Social media: the best and worst of 2009
Email marketing: six steps to improving customer engagement in 2010
Web 2.0
Graham Charlton
Strategy & Planning
