Cee Mee – Cee Who – Cee What

I got into interactive TV in the late 1990′s.  I was so happy Canoe Ventures took up the challenge of interactive advertising  (though they now seem to be dropping interactive TV) and conducted some research but I just read the report that was posted – very light.  We are talking about 4,000 televisionaries and results around their tests and experiences.  The market for this in USA alone is 115 million -  4,000 does not seem a big enough sample.  Why aren’t more brands and agencies getting into this?  Canoe Ventures got some $150 million to make some headway into the new media world for the cable industry.  I sincerely hope there is a more detailed report somewhere.  Love the concept but feel we are missing the Internet, mobile, ipad and tablets and user interaction with TV +++

What was the real outcome of the cable interactive solutions event?

The recent Cablelabs and Canoe Ventures initiative on advanced advertising seems to have been a real hit with brands according to several blogs.  Twenty four companies participated (not clear if they were selected guests or an industry invitation was sent – also not clear who paid for what which usually shows if the event was meaningful).  Key interactive vendors (mostly long time cable suppliers) also demonstrated solutions.

The event lasted a week and Id love to see the agenda and what was actually gleaned from the event.  I believe these insights are what Canoe needs to be learning and sharing with their investors and advertisers.  Any clues from Cablelabs or Canoe greatly appreciated but the summary that vendors were enthusiastic about a common platform was a bit lame – well yes – one platform, one format, easy implementation – but I had over ten companies working with me on interactive applications in 2001 and the interactive world of cable got bogged down with cable supplier battles and ad agency myopia.  Will it be different this time?  Yes, yes, yes – roll on interactive cable apps!

Comcast and NBC – interactive advertising goes mainstream!

The recent announcement by Comcast of its acquisition of NBC bodes well for the launch of real interactive advertising.  Comcast has already committed to interactivity with its Canoe Project investment and the roll out of interactive services in Chicago and other regions.  The combined viewing power of Comcast and NBC (with its Hulu online video service) now offers a serious stage to develop interactive and revenues sharing advertising and marketing applications.  Major brands such as P&G are already experimenting with new interactive formats and local advertising solutions.  As an early proponent of interactive advertising, I for one am excited that at last a player of this magnitude is taking the next step.  Park Associates forecasts that advanced TV advertising (including VOD, DVR and addressable commercials) could exceed $4 billion within five years.  That’s a big chu;nk of cable satellite and telco tv revenues.

Sony discuss Internet TV strategy for Europe with Ovum Research

Ovum recently summarized a briefing they attended on Sony’s European TV strategy.  Basically its splits into Video on Demand (VOD) service via the PlayStation Network and an Internet video strategy that provides catch-up broadcast TV content.  The content line-up is looking impressive with deals made with most of the big players in European broadcasting plus deals with popular sites such at YouTube and Dailymotion.

Roll-out is starting but the launch of Bravia Internet Video disc players, TVs and home theater devices in the first half of 2010 really set the strategy in action.

The challenge of quality of video services continues to be an unanswered question with Internet TV but VOD downloads should work and offer competition to satellite, IPTV and cable operators.  2010 may very well be the year interactive TV really happens!

Let the games begin – cable start charging for web content

Time Warner and Comcast – two industry cable giants have announced an ambitious pilot program to charge subscribers for viewing TV content on the web.  Not sure where this leaves the Hulu business model – maybe it becomes a primer and short form video place to visit.  The words walled garden creep into mind again with cable looking to keep control of its subscribers wherever they view programming.  Looking forward to watching this space emerge.