Programs/Content
PBS starts same-time streaming in April as OTT work advances
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Local public TV stations continue to clear streaming rights as PBS negotiates with digital providers.
Programs/Content
PBS eyes streaming agreements to address ‘profoundly important’ platform goals, Kerger says
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The PBS president told an audience at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour to “stay tuned” for possible announcements involving Sling TV and YouTube TV.
NPR
NPR will shift to Triton Digital for stations’ audio streaming
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Stations had “high levels of frustration” with the reliability of the current provider.
Quick Takes
Wednesday roundup: WVIA buys out former president’s contract; KETC features St. Louis Symphony
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Plus: Invisibilia‘s big launch, and growth in listening to non-music web streams.
Tech
Aereo’s end comes with court-approved asset sale
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Bankrupt Internet TV service Aereo’s curtain call will be a sale of its assets, ending a series of legal setbacks that landed the company in Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. Aereo filed for bankruptcy Nov. 11 following legal losses that essentially prevented it from operating and thwarted its attempt to reinvent itself as a cable television operator. The bankruptcy court approved a process last month for Aereo to sell its streaming technology, allowing broadcasters who initiated the legal fight to weigh in on the sale. Aereo had operated a subscription service using banks of dime-sized antennas to capture broadcast signals and convert them into streaming video distributed over the Internet.
Quick Takes
Monday roundup: Iowa loves Doctor Who most of all; Sesame Street disappears from Netflix
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Plus: A former Shark Week host seeks redress from NPR, and NPR’s ombud considers an accusation of plagiarism.
Programs/Content
With ‘Smartbinge,’ WNYC aims to raise national profile for digital content
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In an effort to position itself as a national brand in public radio, New York’s WNYC is launching an ad campaign likening its programs’ listeners to Netflix-style binge watchers. The Smartbinge campaign will consist of targeted digital ad buys and a landing page on WNYC.org to encourage listeners from around the country to listen to substantial amounts of WNYC programming. Other elements include Twitter hashtags, geotargeted Facebook ads, paid search results and sponsored blog posts. WNYC is spending around $200,000 on the campaign, working with creative and public-relations teams Cataldi Public Relations and Eyeballs. As WNYC increases digital offerings with streams and a mobile app, it has its sights set on an audience beyond New York.
Programs/Content
PBS wades into over the top content streaming with new Roku apps
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As of May 8, owners of Roku Internet streaming TV set-top boxes gained access to the first-ever curated collection of PBS shows to be distributed for free on-demand viewings directly to television sets.
Quick Takes
Amazon will become exclusive paid streaming home for Downton Abbey
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Amazon announced today it has struck a deal with PBS to make its online video streaming service, Prime Instant Video, the exclusive subscription streaming outlet for Downton Abbey. Beginning June 18, Prime Instant Video will be the only subscription streaming service where viewers will be able to watch Season 3 of the smash Masterpiece Classic program. The first and second seasons of the show are currently available on Amazon as well as on rival subscription streaming services like Netflix and Hulu Plus, but will migrate exclusively to Prime on an unspecified date “later this year,” according to a press release from Amazon. Prime will also be the only paid streaming service to offer Season 4 and, if produced, Season 5 of the series. Downton Abbey is already the most popular TV series among Amazon Prime customers, according to Brad Beale, Amazon director of digital video content acquisition.