Closing the TV Gap6

By Marti Resteghini, Nov 08, 2009 in Pop Culture

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Closing the Gap Between Traditional and Web-Served TV

In an effort to avoid being next on media’s endangered species list, there has been a palpable embrace of the concept of TV Everywhere by media giants.  The term refers to access to premium content (cable television, movies) on the Internet, only after executing an authentication process proving your right to view the respective video library.  The initiative, started by Time Warner and Comcast, is in response to the pull of consumers wanting their entertainment when and where they want it – making no distinction between satellite, cable or DSL connections.  Keeping this same principal in mind, it’s only logical that the same applies to premium web television content.  Why shouldn’t the best of web television be available to you anywhere, including your living room and master bedroom TV’s?  This is exactly the motivation behind KoldCast TV’s most recent push towards expanding the methods by which we deliver our programming.

As of today, KoldCast TV shows are also available as Zune and iTunes podcasts as well as through TiVo’s Video On-Demand library.  In an effort to continue expanding the reach of KoldCast TV, viewers will see the addition of two new distribution partners, Roku and Boxee, later this month.

Although TV Everywhere is a relatively new term that Time Warner claimed this summer, its concept existed beforehand.  Roku, for instance, has been streaming Netflix videos since May 2008.  Founded in 2002 by Anthony Wood, the man responsible for the DVR, Roku aims to capitalize on expanding ways to bring consumers their favored entertainment.  As part of this continued growth, Roku announced the addition of Amazon Video On-Demand and MLB.com earlier this Fall.  Their next initiative includes a growing number of entertainment partners from all walks of media, including KoldCast TV.  As for the viewing experience, much like the Netflix experience on XBOX Live, the Roku player detects Internet bandwidth and makes on-the-fly adjustments to provide the highest quality picture and audio possible. For homes with wireless Internet, the player is Wi-Fi ready.

CNET 2009 Review:

Also joining KoldCast’s distribution network is Boxee, the free, open-source software platform that integrates social networking with entertainment. Boxee’s social networking component allows users to share information, over social networks like Twitter and Facebook, about what they’re watching or listening to, with other Boxee users. Although there is no additional hardware, Boxee is designed for your TV with the use of an additional DVI/VGA to HDMI cable.  With over 150 applications already onboard, it provides an extensive collection of television options while always staying socially connected.

CES 2009:

The Internet is about social publishing, interactivity and access, but its entertainment that drives it all. While social publishing sites are transforming the way we communicate, it’s entertainment networks that are defining the future of what we watch and how. With a growing number of networks and studios approaching entertainment from every single possible angle, this is an exciting time to be entertained and, yes, you’ll soon have TV everywhere you want it.

Marti Resteghini is VP of Network Programming and Acquisitions here at KoldCast TV. Formerly, as vice president of development and production at Warner Bros.-based production company, HDFilms, Resteghini oversaw the development, production and distribution of feature films, television and new media content across multiple platforms. In this post, Resteghini produced many high-profile Web series including “Chadam,” “Creepshow: Raw,” based on the 1980s cult classic feature film, and Crackle’s “The Jace Hall Show.”