Amazon Now Wants to Sell You TV and Internet Packages (Ad Week)
Amazon quietly launched an e-commerce channel in the last couple of days that’s selling TV-and-Internet-bundles from Comcast Xfinity. Called Amazon Cable Store, the channel represents a partnership between the two companies.
NAB: FCC Needs to Start Repack Planning ASAP (Broadcasting & Cable)
The National Association of Broadcasters says it agrees with AT&T that the FCC needs to start intensive planning on the spectrum auction repack now given that channel moves may need to be coordinated carefully and moving delays could have serious consequences for stations and viewers.
Verizon: Open Internet Rules Are ‘Essential’ (Broadcasting & Cable)
Verizon—which challenged the FCC’s 2010 Open Internet order and won, which prompted the FCC to come back with Title II-backed rules—says it is OK with the ban on blocking, throttling and paid prioritization and even the general conduct standard, all of which it says are “essential” for it to thrive going forward.
Noam at FCC: OTT Will Be Concentrated, Regulated (Broadcasting & Cable)
Columbia Professor Eli Noam suggests that the Apples and Amazons of the world should expect their cloud-based video distribution systems to be regulated as are traditional video networks now. That came in the first of two FCC workshops on access to video distribution platforms held Monday.
FBI says it may have found a way to unlock shooter’s iPhone (Network World)
The FBI says it may have discovered a way to break into the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino mass shooters, and the agency has asked a judge to postpone a court hearing in the matter that was scheduled for Tuesday.
Jarvis: Video Part Of The Social Conversation (Net News Check) CUNY journalism professor and author Jeff Jarvis says broadcasters need to rethink how video is playing out in people’s lives, especially younger viewers who see it as an element of conversation. He also remains adamant that media companies need to work with platform-publishers like Facebook and Google.
The Next Revolution Will Not Be Televised, But Instant-Messaged (Media Post)
eMarketer released its Media Usage Around the World report this month. If you love data and stats, this is one for you. Also check it out if you’re in charge of figuring out where to place your next bet for connecting with where your consumers already are.
Obama: Google Plans To Bring Internet To Cuba (Media Post)
Google hopes to become the first American Internet provider to connect Cuba with the rest of the world by expanding WiFi and broadband access to the country’s businesses and citizens. Cuba is one of the least digitally connection nations, but President Barack Obama said that Google will start supporting the country’s WiFi.
Smartphone Streaming On The Rise (Media Post)
Apple may have a smaller-screen iPhone coming soon, but the trend — based on the amount of people using their phones for video streaming — will likely continue toward larger screens. According to new research from The NPD Group, more than 80% of all U.S. smartphone users stream video on their devices.
Supreme Court to Decide the Future of Patent Lawsuits in Apple v. Samsung (Inside Sources)
Apple and Samsung will face off in the final battle of their five-year patent war in the Supreme Court this year, where judges will decide if patent infringement can cost a company the entire profit of an infringing product. The nation’s highest court announced it would hear an appeal filed in December by Samsung.
FIRST LOOK: INTERNET USE IN 2015 (NTIA)
As the Obama Administration continues to focus on expanding broadband access and adoption, NTIA released new data that shows that some of the demographic groups that have historically lagged behind in using the Internet—such as senior citizens, minorities, and Americans with lower levels of education —are making big strides.
OPPOSITION TO MERGER (Free Press)
Twenty-two public interest organizations sent a letter urging the FCC to deny Charter’s bid to take over Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. The Center for Media Justice, CREDO Action, Daily Kos, Demand Progress, Free Press and Presente.org were among the media justice, Internet rights and public interest groups.
Why Hulk Hogan’s $140 Million Gawker Verdict Is a Signpost for the Future (Hollywood Reporter- Commentary)
Emboldened public figures, using sharper tactics, may be able to get their cutting-edge privacy disputes to juries not willing to give the American media any breaks.