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DISH Network to buy BlockBuster for $228 million
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment
In a somewhat surprising move, DISH Network said Wednesday that the company had been selected as the winning bidder in BlockBuster's bankruptcy auction, and will acquire BlockBuster's assets for about $228 million after various cost adjustments.
The total bid was $320 million, DISH said. The acquisition is expected to be completed during the second quarter, the companies said, if the bankruptcy court approves the deal.
DISH, a satellite provider, didn't say why it wanted to acquire BlockBuster, with 1,700 physical stores and a streaming service on top of it. But DISH has recently made moves to acquire licenses to content, enhancing its video-on-demand services with a deal with EPIX on Tuesday to bring its movies to DISH's online service, DISHOnline. DISH extended remote streaming to the iPad in December.
Adding a chain of stores and BlockBuster's existing relationships with content providers will help facilitate DISH's transformation into more of a provider of on-demand content than simply a "linear" provider of scheduled broadcasts.
Click to continue reading DISH Network to buy BlockBuster for $228 million
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Netflix secures syndication rights for ‘Mad Men’ on Watch Instantly
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment
"Mad Men" fans might not get a new dose of Don Draper until 2012, but Netflix has inked a deal with Lionsgate to stream all seasons of the show via Watch Instantly.
The first four seasons of the AMC drama will be available to U.S. viewers on Netflix starting July 27. Canadian customers already have streaming access to the show.
"Mad Men has been and continues to be a representation of TV at its best and Netflix is proud to be the syndication home for this acclaimed series," Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix, said in a statement. "This deal secures long term instant access to an iconic show for Netflix members for years to come."
The deal is noteworthy because Netflix is paying for the syndication rights to "Mad Men"; reruns will not air on other broadcast or cable TV channels.
Click to continue reading Netflix secures syndication rights for ‘Mad Men’ on Watch Instantly
Apple set to open up AirPlay video to electronics manufacturers
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Home Entertainment
Apple is reportedly interested in expanding its AirPlay audio-streaming technology to include video, and possibly licensing it to consumer-electronics manufacturers, according to a report.
Bloomberg reported that Apple already licenses the AirPlay technology to Pioneer Corp. and D&M Holdings.
Bloomberg quoted executives from Philips as well as Pioneer; the Philips executive was quoted as being interested in the technology, while the Pioneer executive called AirPlay a "blessing for an industry trying to move the needle forward on sales".
In November 2010, Apple issued iOS 4.2, which added AirPlay connectivity to Apple TV and the iPad. Specifically, the update added enables AirPlay—wireless streaming of video, photos, and music from your iOS device to Apple TV—and AirPrint, the wireless printing solution for the iPad. Currently, CE manufacturers are prohibited from taking advantage of the video capabilities inherent in AirPlay, Bloomberg reported.
Click to continue reading Apple set to open up AirPlay video to electronics manufacturers
Bleeding Edge TV 375: Looxcie wearable video recorder
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Gizmatic, Short Bytes, Accessories, Cameras, Features, Podcasts, Videocasts, Videos
If you've ever wanted to be able to capture a moment that you knew was coming, but weren't sure exactly when, you may want to check out Looxcie. It's a wearable video camera that constantly records. You can stream what you are recording live over the Internet, and if you wanna capture something, you just hit the button and it clips the last 30 seconds and saves it for you. If you have an iPhone or Android device, then you can even get an app that lets you use the phone as a viewfinder.
You can pick up Looxcie at Amazon.
Big thank you to JackThreads for sponsoring the show - be sure to check them out, we've got exclusive invite codes that give you $5 to use towards anything you'd like.
Netflix rates broadband providers in US and Canada by bandwidth performance
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Broadband, Home Entertainment, Internet
Netflix published a very interesting set of charts showing the performance of various networks in Canada and the US. Taking only HD content, they rate each network based on how much throughput they can achieve, or how much bandwidth they can provide to their customers over the length of a streamed movie. While the Canadian Internet providers are very close to each other, there are major differences for the US. If you're streaming video or high demand data online regularily, Netflix or otherwise, this may give you a good indication on which carrier fares better. Hit the break for a look at the numbers.
Ready for a Netflix button on your remote control?
Posted by Patrick Lambert Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Internet, Movies
Netflix today announced that streaming from Watch Instantly movies on your TV will be even simpler, as they've struck deals with several device makers including Dynex, Haier, Memorex, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba that will see a dedicated Netflix button added to the remote control. Starting this spring, new devices will apparently come with a remote that features the Netflix logo prominently, giving one-button access to the service. This will include some Blu-ray disc players and Internet connected TVs. According to the company's Chief Product Officer: "No more turning on the TV, going to a home screen and searching for the Netflix icon. With the Netflix one-click remote, it's simply a matter of pushing the Netflix button to instantly watch any of the vast selection of TV shows and movies available to stream from Netflix." The company has been working steadily to increase its reach, and is now available on almost any connected device one can think of.
Read More 
| Yahoo! News
Sears and Kmart announces Netflix competitor Alphaline Entertainment
Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Movies, Videos
Looks like all the giants of the superstore world are looking to own a piece of territory in the online movie market. Just ask WalMart who recently purchased Vudu, a non-subscription service for buying and renting movies that stream online.
Sears and Kmart are partnering with RoxioNow on their service, called Alphaline Entertainment, which is going to be available on a multitude of devices. Whether Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii will want to be home to yet another movie service that does pretty much the same thing as all the others isn't known yet. What is known is that 'Alphaline Entertainment' is looking to succeed against an already established king of the online movie world where many have failed. And it doesn't help that the name doesn't roll off the tongue as easily as 'Netflix'.
Do you think Alphaline Entertainment stands a chance? Let us know.
Read More | TechCrunch via Alphaline
2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Apple TV
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Home Entertainment, Family, Techies, Under $100
The newly redesigned Apple TV is next up in our 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, and for good reason. You can stream movies, TV shows, photos, and music to the device, and setup just requires plugging it into power, and into your television. A couple minutes later and you're connected to Wi-Fi and streaming Netflix. With iOS 4.2 and the AirPlay feature, you can even send videos and music directly from your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch directly to your television. Mix in HD movies rentals from $3.99 and TV show rentals for $.99 cents, and you have a nice little wireless media extender. You can pick one up now for $99 from Apple, or $98 from Amazon with free shipping.
Netflix goes discless, 1080p, Dobly Digital Plus 5.1 for PS3
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment
All you PS3 owners out there who are tired of having to manually insert that Netflix disc whenever you wanna get your streaming on, listen up! Netflix has just announced that, starting October 18th, the PS3 disc will no longer be required. Even better news? PS3 owners will be able to stream some content in 1080i 1080p resolution, and 5.1-channel Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. The PS3 is the first to get these oft-requested features, and even more curious is the fact that they seem to be left out of the Xbox 360's upcoming dashboard update that is set to drop in November.
So, yeah Netflix, it's definitely cool and all that you are finally bringing out the big guns with your instant streaming service, and we'll definitely be defaulting to the PS3 for our viewing starting on the 18th--but can we get a little device parity here?
Wanna get a look at how it works? Hit up the video after the break.
Click to continue reading Netflix goes discless, 1080p, Dobly Digital Plus 5.1 for PS3
Hulu Plus coming to Roku and TiVo Premiere
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet
If you’re ready to cut the cable cord, it looks like Hulu Plus may be just the thing to facilitate that. Already available in beta on the PS3, as well as on the iPad and iOS devices, it was just announced that the service is coming to Roku‘s line of set top boxes, and that it’ll also be added to the TiVo Premiere as a service. Hulu Plus will also be made available to the general public on the Xbox 360 in 2011 as well. Depending on which shows you watch, the $10 Hulu Plus monthly fee may very well allow you to ditch your cable TV package, especially if paired with Netflix. Get ready for a shift in the way television gets consumed.
The only thing we are wondering now is if the new Apple TV will also be picking up Hulu Plus at some point, or if Apple plans on just going with Netflix plus $.99 TV rentals.
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