It’s show time
S03E03: Game of Streams (It’s show time)
Our Media Solution Consultant, Magnus Svensson, is sharing his reflections from the online streaming industry in this post. This is part of a monthly series so make sure to follow us here if you don’t want to miss an episode.
“It’s show time!”
Earlier this week Apple held an event at the Steve Jobs Theater and announced several new services, whereof a few related to TV and streaming. None of them a real surprise as these announcements have been expected for quite some time.
To start with, they will release a new version of the Apple TV app, according to Apple a one-stop-shop for video and finding recommendations on shows to watch. The “Watch Now” feature includes personalization depending on your interest and previously watched content.
Secondly, they announced Apple TV Channels, a collection of channels (HBO, Showtime, and others were mentioned) directly accessed and purchased through the TV app. The Apple TV app will provide the actual streaming and promises high-quality picture and audio for all content it offers.
Finally, Apple TV Plus, that is an ad-free video subscription service that Apple will launch in over 100 countries this fall. It will be possible to access Apple TV Plus through the new Apple TV app but also on Mac as well as Roku, Fire TV, and smart-TV’s.
So, a lot of expected news from Apple. Netflix will not be part of any of the above services which will make it less attractive in an already crowded SVOD market. In connection to the Apple event it was announced, and later partly denied, that YouTube has canceled their plans for high-end content to avoid the competition. What was confirmed was that they will have an ad-supported model for its programming by the end of the year. Similarly, Viacom has stated that they will focus on building ad-supported streaming, claiming that the global SVOD sector is becoming too “crowded” and “capital intensive”.
I believe a lot in ad-supported services moving forward. Each household will only subscribe to a limited amount of paid video services but could easily “fill up” with multiple ad-supported services. We see several initiatives where content owners join forces and share platform for this purpose, and more will come. With current technology, it is possible to separate the ad revenues, but still use the same platform and infrastructure.
To watch out for the coming months…
Game of Thrones’ 8th and final season premieres April 14. Let’s keep all fingers crossed that all streaming services and CDN’s will cope with the load that will come.
In April, the European Commission is expected to inform a decision regarding the Telia Company acquisition of Bonnier Broadcasting. Telia Company expects to be able to complete the acquisition of Bonnier Broadcasting during the second half of 2019.
Beginning of April, NAB Show, the annual trade show produced by the National Association of Broadcasters, will take place in Las Vegas. A lot of new product and company announcement will come during the week
Just in time for NAB, a Luxembourg-based company called Sisvel announced two new patent pools “relevant to the VP9 and AV1 specifications”. This is not a big surprise and it will be interesting to follow. I doubt that it will make any immediate difference, but it will for sure start the discussion around AV1 vs. HEVC.
Magnus Svensson is a Media Solution Consultant and partner at Eyevinn Technology. Eyevinn Technology is the leading independent consultant firm specializing in video technology and media distribution.
Follow me on Twitter (@svensson00) and LinkedIn for regular updates and news.
