Features
Eight out of 10 users prefer iTunes In less than a week, iTunes will be 10 years old and, according to recent research, Apple still rules the digital music downloads roost. According to the latest information from The NPD Group, Apple had a 63% unit share of that market in Q4 last year. The closest follower, AmazonMP3, got 22%. Eight out of 10 digital music buyers downloaded their tracks and albums from Apple’s iTunes store in Q4 2012. And one in three still believe that owning music is important, even with various free streaming services.
Second screeners avoiding specialist apps Surprise statistics: PCs are the most common second screen device, and specialist apps like Viggle and zeebox are not appealing to the majority of TV viewers. According to The NPD Group, second-screening consumers are not widely using those applications designed by broadcasters for specific programs. NPD figures show that 88% US households own at least one device that can be used as a second screen, with 87% of US entertainment consumers reported to be second-screening while watching television. However, of TV viewers who use second-screen devices, only 47% have participated in second-screen activities.
D2D News
Royal remastering by JCA
London-based digital specialist JCA had announced its digital remastering in HD of A Queen is Crowned for ITV Studios Global Entertainment. The lavish documentary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, narrated by Laurence Olivier, won a BAFTA Certificate of Merit in 1954, the year of its release, as well as a Golden Glove for Best Documentary of Historical Interest, and an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary, Features. It is timed to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated this year.
Continue reading »JPMorgan increases Technicolor stake
Technicolor has announced that it plans to launch a capital increase of up to €158 million, a stake to be acquired by an investment vehicle jointly owned by One Equity Partners, the private investment arm of JPMorgan Chase, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. This will, said Technicolor, help to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance its capabilities to implement its ‘Amplify 2015’ strategic roadmap. The planned capital increase, which is subject to shareholder approval, will also contribute to stabilizing Technicolor’s shareholder base.
Warner dominates BVA Awards
Last night’s British Video Association (BVA) Annual Awards ceremony in London was a sell-out event was, hosted by comedian Miles Jupp who presented the awards and led tributes to the recipients. It was a great night for Warner Home Video, who dominated the night as Retail Distributor of the Year and picked up three further awards with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2, the final chapter of the best-selling franchise of all time (having sold over 41 million discs in the franchise).
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Old meets new with Antiques Roadshow app
The BBC has announced plans to launch a ‘guess the value’ companion experience for the next series of Antiques Roadshow in September, enabling audiences to play along with the program via BBC Red Button or on a companion device.
Continue reading »Dramatic rise predicted for connected Connected TVs
Approximately 25% of the TV sets shipped globally in 2011 were internet-connected, a figure forecasted to approach 70% of total TV shipments during 2016, resulting in more than $117 billion in revenues, according to a new report by IMS Research (recently acquired by IHS, parent company of research company IHS Screen Digest). “Internet connectivity is becoming a standard on high-end TV sets, and it’s increasingly being added to mid-end televisions,” said Veronica Thayer, market analyst, IMS Research, and author of the Connected TV Sets – World – 2012 report.
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Gaikai and WikiPad announce first gaming tablet
Cloud gaming service Gaikai has announced the signing of a partnership with WikiPad Inc makers of the Wikipad, the first tablet to offer an attachable, console-quality gamepad controller, which debuted at this year’s CES. The partnership will see the Gaikai client integrated into the tablet, making game streaming available to Wikipad users.
Continue reading »Cinram lenders extend waiver
Cinram has announced that its first and second lien senior lenders have agreed to extend their waiver of certain financial covenants, consistent with previously granted and disclosed waivers. These waivers have been extended to May 30, 2012 but can be terminated under certain circumstances by the lenders on or after May 15, 2012.
Continue reading »Consumers engage with Connected TV ads
While recent research indicates that only one in four UK Smart TVs are actually connected, it appears that the ones who do connect are engaging with the advertising content. Rovi Corporation has released the findings from its Smart TV advanced advertising study, conducted in the United Kingdom with Decipher Research. The study showed connected TV owners are receptive to interactive advertising, which they perceived as contextual and engaging. “We are on a constant mission to further understand the in-home family dynamic as it relates to changing entertainment consumption habits, and to better acquaint ourselves with consumers' preferences and engagement levels with interactive advertising,” said Jeff Siegel, senior vice president of worldwide advertising at Rovi Corporation.
Continue reading »Savtira files for Chapter 11
Following a series of legal wrangles and financial difficulties, Florida-based a B2B cloud e-commerce provider Savtira has filed for Chapter 11. Timothy Munro Roberts, CEO and Chairman, one of the founders of Savvis, issued a statement to counter what he called “bad press in the form of a defamation blog and reports published in a local business journal”.
Continue reading »Blu-ray and digital growth help home video spend
According to figures released on both sides of the Atlantic, the home video industry saw some stabilization and even growth in the first quarter of this year. It was good news for both Blu-ray Disc and digital delivery: Blu-ray sales grew by 23% in the US and 15% in the UK, while digital sales in the UK grew by 14%. There are now nearly two million active UltraViolet accounts in the US.
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