On Demand Weekly

ODW rounds up stories affecting the VOD Industry.

Cable Providers Move to Counter Apple’s TV Venture

"If Disney and CBS believe this is the model to embrace, it’s worth pondering whether they’ll embrace that for all distributors,” said Melinda Witmer, Time Warner Cable’s chief programming officer.” (Wall Street Journal)

Why Apple can't kill cable

The blogs may position this as Apple vs. Cable but that's not how programmers probably see it. To them, it's Apple AND Cable. And Amazon. And Netflix....(THR)

TWC ratchets up ‘Get Tough’ initiative with new ads

Time Warner Cable is launching new advertising as part of its “Roll Over or Get Tough” campaign against increased fees by programmers....(CED Magazine)

Congratulations to SnagFilms, Disney & the Smithsonian Channel. And New York Times, how about showing some love to our coverage of the On Demand industry??? - ODW

On-Demand Options for Hard-to-Find Films

Serious moviegoers may still see on-demand channels as a dumping ground for films that were in theaters six months ago or weren’t good enough to be in theaters at all. But as more and more “small,” serious films fight for screen time, a few distributors are starting to see on-demand television as a first option — which means that the quality of on-demand offerings is beginning to rise... (New York Times)

SnagFilms to Expand Library’s Reach to New Platforms

Documentary distribution outlet SnagFilms—the parent company of indieWIRE—will unveil later today an expansion of the platforms for its nonfiction titles that is timed to its second anniversary, as well as deals with a range of companies for more films. Snag will bring its library of 1,500-plus films to a suite of new sources beyond the original web platform upon which it was launched. New outlets will include the creation of VOD channels with cable network Comcast and Verizon FiOS TV… (IndieWIRE)

'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally' Makes Linear Debut Sept. 7, Flanked By On-Demand, Mobile Presentations

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally is set to make its Disney Channel debut on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., the same day the program will be available for purchase on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

The 50-minute special, though, will benefit from a full-length preview on Disney Channel On Demand on Aug. 31... (Multichannel News)

CBS, Comcast Sign 10-Year Contract to Carry TV Shows

The contract also provides Comcast customers with Showtime Networks, the new Smithsonian channel, expanded distribution of CBS College Sports and more on-demand access to CBS and Showtime online and on TV... (Bloomberg)

Previous On Demand & Links - ODW

We here at On Demand Weekly love all things TV & Film. And we love to catch up on all the TV series available On Demand because it allows viewers to timeshift their viewing habits around their daily schedule.

Until now, not all of the major broadcasters (ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC) offered their TV series on demand. Today, Comcast announced they are the first to offer current TV shows On Demand from all four major broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC – On Demand. This expansion of TV series, among others, nearly doubles the amount of hit TV series now available from the major broadcast networks, and brings customers the most TV episodes in high-definition On Demand.

Finally fans of TV subscribing to Xfinity On Demand can choose when they want to watch The Simpsons (FOX) and Modern Family (ABC), along with the most watch TV On Demand series, such as NCIS (CBS) and Parenthood (NBC).

“We are excited to team with Comcast to expand ABC’s fast-forward disabled VOD offering to their customers,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. “This is yet another example of our dedication to exploring innovative business models that super-serve the fans of ABC’s popular shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Castle, and add value to our distribution and advertising partners.”

“Our goal is to deliver customers the best and most-current entertainment choices anytime, anywhere so they can catch up and keep up with their favorite TV shows,” said Marcien Jenckes, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. “By nearly doubling the number of current TV series from broadcast networks, Xfinity TV On Demand offers our customers a one-of-a-kind experience that can’t be found elsewhere.”

Starting on Thursday, April 28, more than 20 popular TV series from ABC and FOX will begin to roll out On Demand the day after the TV series’ live broadcast and will be fast forward disabled. Each of the major broadcast networks will offer the four most recent episodes from the below TV series On Demand.

Let's hope other Pay TV providers will follow Comcast's lead.

ABC

· Body of Proof
· Castle
· Cougar Town
· Desperate Housewives
· Grey’s Anatomy
· Private Practice


FOX

· American Dad
· America’s Most Wanted
· Bob’s Burgers
· Bones
· Breaking In
· The Chicago Code
· The Cleveland Show
· Cops
· Family Guy
· Fringe
· Glee
· Hell’s Kitchen (available 7/19)
· Kitchen Nightmares
· Masterchef (available 6/7)
· Raising Hope
· The Simpsons
· Traffic Light


CBS

· Blue Bloods
· CSI
· CSI: Miami
· CSI: NY
· Hawaii Five-0
· Mad Love
· NCIS
· NCIS: Los Angeles
· Rules of Engagement
· Survivor: Redemption Island
· The Good Wife
· Two and a Half Men
· Undercover Boss


NBC

· 30 Rock
· America’s Got Talent (available 6/1)
· America’s Next Great Restaurant
· Celebrity Apprentice
· Chase
· Chuck
· Community
· Friday Night Lights
· Harry’s Law
· Law & Order: Los Angeles
· Love In The Wild (available 6/2)
· Minute to Win It
· Outsourced
· Parks and Recreation
· Parenthood
· Perfect Couples
· Saturday Night Live
· The Biggest Loser
· The Event
· The Marriage Ref (available 6/27)
· The Office
· The Voice
· Who Do You Think You Are?
 

You May Also Like...

VOD Trend Spotter is a new weekly column where Kendra Anderson explores the most watched TV Series On Demand (by looking at Comcast (America's largest cable VOD provider)  xfinity On Demand's weekly rankings). Sometimes the trends are obvious; other times, she adds her own spin to the psyche of the time-shifting audience.

Saying Goodbye to Our Favorite Boss, While CBS Loses its Edge, and A Good (Police) Story Matters Here (VOD Trend Spotter)
By Kendra Anderson

- Kendra Anderson

Kendra T. Anderson is a digital strategist specializing in social media and marketing, with an emphasis on independent film and branded content. She has worked with Cinetic Media, Magnolia Pictures and Focus Features, and now helps brands build digital and social communication strategies. Read more from Kendra on her blog and tweet Kendra @ktwanderson

You May Also Like...

VOD Trend Spotter is a new weekly column where Kendra Anderson explores the most watched TV Series On Demand on Comcast / Xfinity On Demand (The US largest cable on demand provider). Sometimes the trends are obvious; other times, she adds her own spin to the psyche of the time-shifting audience.

The Power of the Throne Reigns (VOD Trend Spotter)
By Kendra Anderson

VOD Trend Spotter is a new weekly column where Kendra Anderson explores the most watched TV Series On Demand (by looking at Comcast (America's largest cable VOD provider)  xfinity On Demand's weekly rankings). Sometimes the trends are obvious; other times, she adds her own spin to the psyche of the time-shifting audience.

Note: I will be traveling for the next two weeks and I won't be posting while I'm away, but will be back after Memorial Day.

Big Wins For VOD (VOD Trend Spotter)
By Kendra Anderson

This Week In TV On Demand

TV:
1. CSI: Miami - CBS
2. Hawaii Five-O - CBS
3. Game of Thrones - HBO
4. NCIS - CBS
5. South Park - Comedy Central
6. The Good Wife - CBS
7. The Voice - NBC
8. Survivor: Redemption Island - CBS
9. NCIS: Los Angeles - CBS
10. Bad Girls Club - Oxygen

HD TV:
1. CSI: Miami - CBS
2. Hawaii Five-O - CBS
3. NCIS - CBS
4. Game of Thrones - HBO
5. The Good Wife - CBS
Source: Comcast Xfinity and Rentrak On Demand Essentials (Week Ending May 8th, 2011)


• At last week's OnDemand Summit 3.0 (MSN), Rentrak announced that TV Entertainment is the fastest growing segment in On Demand watching, growing 31% year-over-year. The Movies-On-Demand category is also up, by 9.1%
⁃ What does it say about our collective attention span that we're watching more TV episodes than full length films? I'm sorry, you lost me there. What was I saying? - KA

• Cox Communications announced it's joining the fray of TV Everywhere by introducing TV Online, which expands viewing options for subscribers who can watch content on TV, On Demand, and now, online.
⁃ Still no word from other cable companies about providing content from all four major broadcast networks. It doesn't seem to matter, though, because content from Fox and ABC isn't registering in any of the most watched On Demand spots. - KA

• NBC's "The Voice" (Series Site) crescendoed into the 7th spot in most watched TV On Demand this week.
⁃ I can get behind this. At this point I think we're all sick of American Idol, so here's a refreshing alternative. And kudos to NBC for being the only broadcast network to keep fighting the good fight against CBS's total domination of On Demand. - KA

• Falling from grace is "Bad Girls Club," Oxygen's series that's consistently been in the top 5 most watched series On Demand. This week it's ranked #10.
⁃ America, are we finally coming to our senses? Look, I get that we're fascinated by the lives of crazy people, and smug that our own quotidian existence is so normal by comparison. But come on. If you're really that into watching people pummel each other, I suggest you turn on some WWE fighting. At least we know they're professionals. - KA

- Kendra Anderson

Kendra T. Anderson is a digital strategist specializing in social media and marketing, with an emphasis on independent film and branded content. She has worked with Cinetic Media, Magnolia Pictures and Focus Features, and now helps brands build digital and social communication strategies. Read more from Kendra on her blog and tweet Kendra @ktwanderson

You May Also Like...