Welcome to the broadband and cable news roundup, holiday catch-up edition.
Intel Corp.'s plan to create a broadband-based TV service that runs on its own hardware is delayed because the chipmaker is having trouble hammering together content deals with media companies, The Wall Street Journal reports. Intel reportedly had been pitching programmers on a "virtual cable operator" model, with intentions of getting a subscription video service off the ground before the end of 2012. Tossing some cold water on a rumor that Intel is poised to introduce its broadband TV platform at this month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the paper says Intel's launch may not occur until mid-year or the fourth quarter of 2013. Intel's clearly playing both sides of the video equation, as its over-the-top (OTT) plans run alongside its strategy of providing chips that power Docsis 3.0 gateways and a new class of hybrid QAM/IP boxes that run Comcast Corp.'s expanding X1 platform.
The new year is already shaping up to be a good one for Netflix Inc. CEO Reed Hastings. He's set to receive a $2 million salary and another $2 million in stock options this year, about double the value of his 2012 remuneration package. The big raise comes as Netflix inks a key streaming deal with Walt Disney Co., but feels pressure from activist investor Carl Icahn, who bought a 10 percent stake in Netflix last year.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new rules designed to streamline and accelerate the deployment of Internet services on board aircraft. Rather than having airlines obtain licenses on an ad hoc basis, the new rules will provide them with the ability to test systems that meet FCC standards and establish that they do not interfere with other aircraft systems. The FCC estimates that the rules should allow the Commission to process Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA) applications up to 50 percent faster than before.
CSG Systems International Inc. has extended its master subscriber management deal with Comcast through Jan. 31, 2013, as the billing and customer care company irons out a longer-term deal with the cable operator, reports Broadcasting & Cable. CSG's deal with Comcast was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2012. About 21 percent of CSG's revenues were generated by its Comcast relationship during the third quarter of 2012.
Eagle Communications enters 2013 as a service provider that is 100 percent owned by employees after the company executed a stock ownership plan on Dec. 27. Eagle operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, and cable TV systems in 30 towns and cities in Kansas and Colorado.
Exactly. It's not a hardware problem. Apple TV could have taken over the Cable business if they could line up a la carte channels of everything. Intel should look into starting their own reality TV or an alternate to the NFL :)
The problems Intel appears to be encountering are no different than what just about every other OTT/'virtual' cable operator has come across... getting content is not easy or cheap. It's why Microsoft decided to go the partnership route with cable operators and telcos rather than trying to create its own subscription TV service. Same as it ever was... JB
The blogs and comments are the opinions only of the writers and do not reflect the views of Light Reading. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
To save this item to your list of favorite Light Reading content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
