The rise of over-the-top (OTT) Web TV services might drive video subscriber losses at cable TV companies, but cable firms will continue to grab the lion’s share of broadband customers as the industry’s profit center shifts, say upbeat reports. Internet video services target young adults and other consumers that “cut the cord,” those people who disconnect from pay-TV service in favor of more affordable video content via the Internet. Even if
CBS is going all out with its Internet television plans. The media company announced late Wednesday that it plans to offer its Showtime premium channel as an online subscription service and CBS News as an advertising-supported online channel. CBS (CBS) Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves made the announcements during the company’s third-quarter earnings conference call. The Showtime over-the-top (OTT) video channel would premiere sometime in 2015, he said. The CBS News online channel called CBSN launched Thursday. CBSN is the first streaming news channel on the OTT TV market. The network is available 24/7 and features live, anchored coverage 15 hours each weekday (from 9 a.m. to midnight Eastern time). It is accessible on PCs, Internet-connected TVs and mobile devices. “CBSN is an important example of how CBS is able to leverage the unique strengths, talent and competitive advantages of its businesses to create exciting, highly competitive new…
Federal regulators aim to shake up the pay-TV market by making it easier for online video providers to obtain programming, but out-of-home viewing rights for on-the-go millennials loom as a wild card. The Federal Communications Commission last week proposed giving online video providers the same regulatory status as cable and satellite TV companies. The regulatory makeover would affect over-the-top (OTT) online video providers that provide bundles