Aereo is also giving new customers one month free when they sign up, and since there aren’t any contracts or commitments to sign your life away, new users could basically use that first free month as a free trial if they’d like. This is certainly a smart move on the company’s end, as it gives potential users the opportunity to try out the service in depth without paying any money at first.

By moving down to just two plans, Aereo got rid of three of its previous options, including the one hour free trial, as well as the $1 per day plan and the $80 per year annual plan. The annual plan allowed to save more money by committing for a year, but the new plans give you more incentive to upgrade to the $12 per month plan, which offers 60 hours of DVR time, as opposed to just 40 hours.

The $8 per month plan stays the same, and you’ll get free month of service instead of just an hour of trial time. Overall, the plans are a lot more simplified, but they aren’t all that much better or cheaper. The only big difference is that the $12 plan gives you 20 hours more of DVR storage, which Aereo is hoping that most people will opt for. The new plans officially go into affect on May 15.

If you haven’t heard of Aereo before, or aren’t really sure what it’s all about, it’s essentially a service that brings live broadcast television to users over the internet by taking regular antenna signals and streaming them online for customers. The company has been in some heat with television networks, claiming that Aereo is taking away viewers illegally. However, Aereo remains to stay for now, and it’s continuing its expansion across the northeast US as well speak, just recently hitting Boston.

Boston residents will be able to pre-order Aereo service, which will give them access on May 15, while a wider public release for everyone in the Boston metropolitan area will take place on May 30. Aereo didn’t mention the reach that its service would have in Boston, but they do say that the service should be able to support around 4.5 million customers in 16 counties in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Aereo allows users to watch live broadcast television on their mobile devices and computers. In New York currently, users pay $12 per month to stream live TV programming from over 20 local broadcast networks, including CBS, NBC, and FOX. The controversy is how the company is doing it: they’re essentially yanking the broadcast signals using their own antennas and beaming it over the internet for users to enjoy.

Aereo was announced back in January, and while it’s only available in New York City for now, the company will be launching it services in numerous states throughout 2013, including Miami, Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Detroit, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Cleveland, and Kansas City.

Starting tomorrow, the iOS app will allow users to stream live TV content from Aspire, BBC America, beIn, Big Ten Network, FearNet, Fox News Channel, Fox Business, GMC, Pac-12 Network, TV Guide Network, as well as NY1 for New York citizens. There will also be several video on-demand streaming services available from BBC America, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nick, Univision, and many more networks.

According to Engadget, Android users will receive this update sometime in Q2. Also, users on Verizon Wireless will see some limitations while streaming content over their 3G/4G networks. The limitation will be removed sometime in Q4. Time Warner will also reportedly be seeing a complete revamp of its web portal sometime next month. It’s recommended, for various reasons, that users stream content through WiFi.

When Time Warner launched its live TV app for iPad two years ago, it received an overwhelming demand for the service, so overwhelming that the company’s servers were overloaded. Letting users to stream live content, even while away from their homes, will drastically increase the company’s mobile activity. This will be especially true in the future as soon as it begins allowing more live TV content, as well as on-demand content, to be streamed outside of the user’s home. This is all a part of a new change in television known as “TV Everywhere”.

[via Bloomberg]

Of course, the biggest concern is whether or not customers will have to pay for the digital adapter. However, Comcast says that it’s making adapters available for free in some markets, and they will have an adapter that works with third-party set-top boxes. However, some users may have to pay for their adapter if Comcast doesn’t provide one in their location or for their specific device.

However, those using a Comcast set-top box or a CableCARD-enabled device won’t need the adapter, and those who need one will be able to get one for free for up to two years. After that, you’ll have to pay $0.50 per month per TV in your household. Only two adapters are aloud per household, though, so it seems you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket if you need a third or fourth.

As for when the encryption will officially begin rolling out, Comcast says that they’ll be rolling it out on a market-by-market basis in the coming months, meaning that some subscribers will get it before others. The company says that the transition to encrypted cable will provide greater convenience for customers because the encryption will reduce the need for in-home appointments.

[via GigaOM]

Based on a survey consisting of the thoughts and recommendations of 84,000 internet/cable/phone bundle subscribers, Verizon FiOS came out on top due to its reliability, great picture and phone call quality, and high service satisfaction. Of course, FiOS is only available in a select number of areas in the US, so some customers are out of luck if they’re looking for the best option.

However, Consumer Reports recommends some alternatives if you’re not looking for a complete “triple-play” bundle. For instance, they recommend DirecTV if you’re just looking for a television package, and they also mention Vonage and Ooma as great phone-only options if you’re already happy with your internet and television packages. Of course, many households are looking to cut the cable cord and just go with internet-only options, which many service providers are happy to do.

The report from Consumer Reports is rather extensive, and it features ratings of internet/TV/phone bundles from 14 different companies, as well as companies that offer individual phone, TV, or internet services. The full report can be found in the May issue of Consumer Reports, which is out now.

According to various analysts, it’s expected that advertisers are going to spend more of their ad dollars on cable television and web video outlets like Hulu. It’s expected broadcast networks’ dollar volume could drop by 2%, while cable television’s volume could rise about 5%. Of course, these aren’t huge gains or losses, but every percentage point matters, especially when you’re facing lower ratings.

However, CBS CEO Les Moonves says that ad demand for broadcast television (at least for CBS) is growing, and Moonves expects CBS to lead in “volume and CPM increases” this season. However, ratings have taken a dive at all four big television networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) since the start of the fall season back in September.

Specifically, among viewers ages 18 to 49 ( which is the demographic that’s most prized by advertisers,) the average numbers for primetime audiences were down 23% at FOX, 7% at NBC, 3% at CBS; and 8% at ABC. However, CBS was the only major network to see an increase in overall viewership this season, with a 2% rise.

[via The Wall Street Journal]

You will be able to watch every episode of TV’s most popular series, including: Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, Spartacus, Dexter, Girls, and Duck Dynasty. There will be select full seasons available for popular shows like Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Psych, Parenthood, The Americans, Revolution, Touch, and Chicago Fire. You will also be able to access all of the on-demand titles available on premium channels such as HBO, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and CINEMAX.

Comcast will make it easier for you to find a free TV show to watch. There will be a Watchathon Week website that displays a full list of all 100 TV series available for watch. You will be able to watch your TV shows through Xfinity on Demand, online via Xfinity.com/tv, or through the Xfinity TV Player App on your mobile devices. If you miss out on Watchathon Week, no worries, because Comcast will also be launching a “Catch-Up of the Week” program on April 1st. Catch-Up of the Week will offer you a select amount of free TV shows, both old and new seasons, to watch each week until the end of 2013.

Comcast says that this is the “biggest catch-up ever in TV history, offering Xfinity TV customers the opportunity to binge view the hottest shows on top networks for free.” It hopes to entice its Xfinity TV customers to subscribe to its premium channels after they get a taste of all the great content available. The Watchathon Week is also a way for Comcast to allow its TV subscribers to catch-up with Game of Thrones before its season 3 premiere.

[via Business Wire]

Nielsen released a report today that shows off the statistics on cord-cutting households (or “zero-TV” households according to Nielsen), and while the number of cord-cutters only accounts for 5% of households, an increase of 150% since 2007 is pretty staggering. Nielsen says that 95% of Americans still get their information and entertainment through “traditional cable or satellite options.”

There’s even some fascinating statistics about cord-cutters and how they watch television content. More than 75% of those who cut the cable cord still have at least one television in there house, and 67% of cord-cutters get their content from devices other than a TV, with 37% of people using a computer, 16% using the internet, and a combined 14% on smartphones and tablets.

Of course, you may be wondering why 75% of the cord cutters still have a television, and it’s mostly because that there are many streaming devices that plug into TVs, including the Apple TV, Roku, and Boxee devices. The TV itself is actually still a popular method for watching content, only this time around, there’s no coaxial cable tethered to the television set.

Time Inc., on the other hand, will be operating as a publicly traded company. It will focus all of its efforts on its publications, including very popular magazines like In Style, People, Marie Claire, Sports Illustrated, Time (of course), Entertainment Weekly, and a whole bunch of others. Time Inc. will continue to do fine on its own. It’s publications are read by half of the United States’s adult population, as well as millions of other readers all around the world.

As of right now, Time Inc.’s current CEO, Laura Lang, will continue to stay on with the company while this separation process is still taking place. Eventually, however, she will find a new CEO to replace her. She is searching for someone who is “a different kind of CEO”. Time Warner’s CEO and Chairman, Jeff Bawkes, stated, “She has been a great partner who has given Time Inc. forward momentum to make this transition possible.”

Time Warner is hoping to close this deal by the end of the year. It still has to be approved by the SEC and afterwards, the terms must be finalized by Time Warner’s board of directors. Both of the companies together formed one of the biggest, fully-fledged media companies around, so it’s a bit depressing to seem them break apart. However, they both have enough pull to survive. With Time Inc.’s huge selection of magazines and Time Warner’s TV stations like TBS, TNT, CWTV, HBO (Game of Thrones!), CNN and more, both have all of the assets they need to thrive without each other.

[via Business Wire]

In the filing, Fox mentions that “paying Dish for a satellite television subscription does not buy anyone the right to receive Fox’s live broadcast signal over the internet or to make copies of Fox programs to watch [on mobile devices] because Dish does not have the right to offer these services to its subscribers in the first place.”

The new features in the second-generation Hopper box allow users to watch television on their mobile devices by sending live broadcast signals over the internet to users’ devices, and the service also allows subscribers to transfer recorded television shows from the DVR to users’ iPads. A hearing on this issue is set for March 22.

Last year, Fox actually tried to sue Dish over the Hopper on the set-top box’s ability to skip commercials. However, the case was thrown out and an appeal by Fox hasn’t been ruled yet. In the end, Fox says Dish Hopper opens up a world of illegal and unethical practices, including piracy, devaluation, and unfair competition.

[via Bloomberg]

As a result of the alleged impropriety on Dish’s part, CBS is trying to get permission to file counterclaims of fraud in regards to the Auto Hop omission. In recompense, CBS wants to either have Dish pay up damages that resulted from the revenue loss resulting from the deal, or to have the deal between them nixed.

According to CBS, advertisement revenue was specifically one of the perks it would receive under a retransmission agreement between the two companies. This all resulted when it was revealed that Dish had planned to roll out its device with Auto Hop when it was in negotiations with CBS, making the lack of communication on its part a deliberate concealment.

This comes after a ruling back on November 7 that Dish’s Primetime and Auto Hop wouldn’t be blocked, something Fox was actively pursuing. Earlier in the year, NBC’s chairman was vocal in his opposition to the feature, calling it an attack on the television ecosystem. The company would then go on to sue Dish, along with Fox and NBC, over the feature.

Verizon, DISH, and Starz Media are all well aware that many subscribers would love to cut their cable bills down and choose only the channels they watch most often, rather than paying one huge bill for hundreds of channels that will go unwatched. However, Dave Shull of DISH says that, because of various costs, he doesn’t see that happening anytime soon.

Shull said that two companies alone account for about 50% of the DISH’s cost for content, one of them being Disney. If DISH were to unbundle the channels, the cost of the priciest channels would be spread across fewer subscribers, which would mean much higher prices. Shull mentions that mini-packages of related shows, such as sports and family programming, that subscribers can pay for on top of basic cable are about as close to a la carte cable as the industry will get for now.

The panelists acknowledged that the high cost of cable is driving some customers to cancel their service in favor of streaming options. However, John Penney of Starz Media says that these kinds of streaming services will never give customers access to premium content, because an $8 monthly subscription isn’t enough to cover the expense of licensing top shows.

However, this doesn’t mean that other companies aren’t working on similar solutions. Intel was rumored to be introducing their own cable and web TV options at CES, and while we didn’t hear anything about that during the show, it’s possible that it’s still in the making. Of course, Apple could also have something in the works as well. We know they’re rumored to out some new TV hardware, but it’s possible they could have more cable options coming to Apple TV in the future.

[via Tech News Daily]

Time Warner has 12 million subscribers, and less than 1-percent of them tune in to Ovation. This makes Ovation one of TWC’s “poorest performing networks,” and gives the service provider little incentive to keep it. Ovation has expressed criticism over the amount TWC has invested in its regional sports network while moving to drop its only arts network, while Time Warner has countered stating that Ovation shows too many infomercials and reruns.

As can be expected, Ovation isn’t happy over this change of events. The station’s Executive Vice President Brad Samuels offered this statement. “While they are investing huge amounts in sports programming, they’ve chosen to limit their customers’ viewing options by cutting the only arts network in their lineup.”

Ovation has a petition to keep Time Warner from dropping it up on its website; subscribers can check it out and sign it if desired over at KeepOvation.com. If Time Warner cable stands by its decision to remove the station, Ovation will no longer be available starting December 31, which is when the company’s contract expires with the service provider.

[via Reuters]

Obviously, this sounds really creepy right off the bat, and it mentions that the camera watches for things like fiddling on your phone, exercising, eating, singing, cleaning, sleeping, etc. While companies like Facebook and Google are capturing all sorts of information about what you’re consuming online, this almost takes it to a whole new level.

However, before get you too upset and start to cancel all of your business with Verizon irrationally, it’s probably a good bet that Verizon would certainly require users to opt-in before doing something like this. It’s definitely something that no company would be allowed to do without consent from the user.

As far as what kind of advertisements Verizon would push towards its users of the camera set-top box, the company mentions that sounds of arguing could prompt ads for marriage counseling, while cuddling could prompts ads for contraceptives. Then again, we’re not sure if Verizon will actually put this system into place. The idea is only a patent so far, and a lot of patents usually don’t see the light of day when it comes to putting it into action, but we’ll see what happens.

[via FierceCable]

That would rely on the sort of cloud gaming technology already seen from startups like OnLive and Gaikai, where remote servers do the heavy lifting in terms of graphics crunching and powering environment-rich gameplay, and freeing up local devices to merely display the results of that processing. Rather than demanding that each subscriber have a $200-300 console, cable services could use internet-connected set-top boxes to display the streamed gameplay with minimal latency, navigated via simple controllers.

Unsurprisingly, none of the cable companies have been willing to admit they’re building up to an actual launch, though they’re making the right noises. AT&T says it is “exploring unique ways to offer cloud gaming services to our TV and broadband customers,” while Cox echoes that sentiment and claims it too is “exploring” cloud possibilities.

Although all are used to on-demand content delivery, they’re taking no chances getting cloud gaming right. Experts Playcast Media Systems, CiiNOW, and Agawi have all confirmed that they are in talks with US cable companies, though refuse to say which. Some of the cable firms are exploring using smartphones as controllers, further reducing the potential cost of entry to subscribers.

Meanwhile, console manufacturers aren’t standing still as smart TV solutions challenge their home turf. Microsoft already offers video content with Xbox LIVE, and will add SmartGlass to spread multimedia across multiple screens. More recently, Nintendo revealed Nintendo TVii, its new on-demand and TiVo-integrating home entertainment system based on the upcoming Wii U console, which will turn the GamePad tablet-styled controller into an advanced remote.

The agreement signed today is a multi-year deal, and at this point, it’s unclear which exact patents Google has licensed from Rovi’s portfolio. What is clear is the fact that Rovi holds thousands of patents related to the world of digital entertainment in one way or another (the company itself counts “approximately 5,100″), so it wouldn’t surprise us to hear that Google didn’t have any choice but to sign this licensing agreement. Still, if it helps make Google Fiber’s TV service better, then we imagine paying licensing fees will be a minor detail to the Internet giant.

Google will be offering this new fiber TV service alongside its fiber Internet service, but it’s probably going to take some time for all of this to get off the ground. As of last week’s announcement, only Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS are confirmed to be getting the service, and neighborhoods – “fiberhoods” as Google calls them – will need to compete for the compnay’s attention. Google will be giving neighborhoods that post strong pre-registration numbers priority when it comes to installing service, and the initial roll out is set to last well into 2013.

Despite Google Fiber’s inevitable slow start, it’s good to see Google getting licensing agreements locked down so fast. Seeing as how this is a pretty big undertaking, this probably won’t be the last we hear of Google licensing technology from other companies. Keep an ear to SlashGear for more information, and be sure to check out our story timeline below for more information on Google Fiber!

That is exactly what has happened with Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable siding with television networks against Auto Hop. Britt feels that Auto Hop could damage the existing ecosystem for programming and distribution that depends on advertising revenues along with subscriber revenue. If you were hoping your cable company would offer a feature similar to Auto Hop, it doesn’t seem that’s likely to happen.

The way the Auto Hop feature works is that it goes in after you record prime-time programs on major networks, deletes the commercials in those program’s later that night and allows the viewer to watch with no commercials at all rather than having to fast forward. According to Britt if this sort of feature becomes common, the reduced revenue has to be made up through higher subscriber fees or reduced TV show production. I still don’t think cable companies and TV networks understand people aren’t watching commercials already thanks to fast forward and recorded shows.

[via NYT]

With the X1, Comcast has shifted the bulk of the work from the firmware to the network, which will make it easier for cable providers to upgrade the system over time without having to push new firmware. The X1 is connected to the cloud and offers integration of social apps, such as Skype, Facebook, and Pandora,

The X1 can also be used with mobile phone apps that turn handsets into remote controls, similar to what’s offered on Roku, AppleTV, and Boxee. The gesture controls on your handset can be used to more easily navigate through the X1 interface and menus.

[via VentureBeat]

Not only that, but both companies are working to integrate navigation controls using voice recognition too. One day customers will be able to simply speak to change the channel or search for content. If Adam Sandler takes your fancy, you’d be able to say “Find comedies with Adam Sandler”, and have the relevant information show on the TV.

Rovi thinks the jump to voice is important, too: “Entertainment options will continue to grow. With it will be the complexity of finding and deciding what to watch. Consumers want easy to use and simple ways for discovering entertainment that doesn’t require a remote control with as many keys as a keyboard. Voice brings this capability.”

When will you be able to do all this for yourself? It’s not clear right now with no timeline given by either company, but the duo will be showing off the technology at The Cable Show 2012 in Boston, MA starting from today until May 23rd.

The executive told investors and reporters on a conference call that the 7000MHz block C spectrum that Verizon proposes to sell just isn’t good enough for T-Mobile to expand its business. He noted that incorporating the 700MHz bands into T-Mobile’s business and hardware would take three to six years. The smaller company is hoping to begin rolling out LTE services next year, as Verizon and AT&T have already done. One of its primary complaints is that Verizon still isn’t using all of the spectrum that it owns to capacity, making an acquisition from cable companies unjustified (their implication) at present.

The Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice both need to approve the sale of more AWS spectrum to Verizon, since digital airwaves are considered a quasi-public resource. Verizon intends to bundle its own 4G LTE cellular service with more cable companies’ TV service, as it already does with Comcast in some areas. Smaller carriers with LTE aspirations bitterly oppose the sale. Thew two loudest objectors, T-Mobile and MetroPCS, were recently rumored to be in merger talks.

[via Reuters]

DirecTV, like a number of other cable and satellite providers, already had an iPad app that allowed subscribers to stream select live TV content. But the catch is that users need to be connected to their home WiFi network – and that network has to be powered by the same company as their TV service. In other words, the app is treated like a second cable or satellite box, not an on-the-go service.

The new DirecTV mobile offering takes it a step further, but of course the content that can be streamed from anywhere is on-demand videos, not live TV. In addition, the selection only includes full-length movies, not TV show episodes. Cable and satellite companies are continuing to be extremely conversative when it comes to streaming content, but they do realize they need to offer something in order to compete with the likes of Netflix and Hulu.

[via VentureBeat]

Intel has been pitching the idea to media companies over the last several months, revealing plans to create a “virtual cable operator” that would deliver TV programming in bundles similar to the subscriptions sold by cable- and satellite-TV providers. Intel may take more of an a la carte approach that will give consumers more options in selecting the programming they want.

Intel will not be providing internet service but will be manufacturing the set-top box and has already demoed a preliminary user interface for browsing the programs. However, the company has yet to secure any programming deals and has so far only requested rate cards from program providers to gauge the costs involved.

HBO GO, which offers more than 1400 online titles, allows instant viewing of each episode of every season of HBO shows such as current series like Game of Thrones (highly recommended by the author), True Blood, and Boardwalk Empire, as well as classics like The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Deadwood. Also, included are HBO original films, miniseries, sports, documentaries, and specials as well as a large variety of blockbuster theatricals.

With the online services, Cablevision customers will be able to view most new titles at the same time during their premiere on the networks and Cablevision states that customers will have “the ability to create a “Watchlist” that keeps track of bookmarked content for later viewing; bonus content including interviews, recaps, and behind-the-scenes extras; and customizable views showing titles in slideshow, grid or list format.” Cablevision customers, what do you think? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

[via PR Newswire]

Sony’s system, though not technically specified at present, would stream video via the internet to the company’s array of network-enabled A/V hardware. That includes the PS3 console, of course, but also smart TV sets, Blu-ray and DVD players, PVRs and other devices. Sony could also choose to open access to its VAIO range of computers.

Media studios, however, are said to be reluctant to offer Sony a pared down selection of channels for its service, as currently cable and satellite providers pay handsomely for comprehensive bundles and are dissuaded by high pricing from licensing a smaller set. That reluctance apparently blocked Apple from launching a web-based “best of TV” package in early 2010, using the Apple TV as a receiver. Sony could end up bypassing the big networks altogether, and opt for niche content to build out its US-wide service, sources claim.

The Japanese company has faced a significant struggle with its TV business over the past 12-18 months, with dreary hardware sales prompting Sony to split its LCD division into three. Sony CEO Howard Stringer has promised a “four screen” strategy to take on the expected Apple television with Siri-powered controls, pulling together Sony’s PC, TV, tablet and phone businesses to deliver a joined-up entertainment platform.

The promotion is seen as a move by Time Warner Cable to spite Viacom in the ongoing legal stalemate between the two companies over Time Warner Cable’s TV-streaming iPad app. The cable company launched the iPad app back in March as a way for its cable customers to stream TV programs to their iPads to use the devices like another TV screen. And although it only allowed customers to use the app while in their homes and connected to their Time Warner Cable network, program providers, especially Viacom were adamantly opposed to the service.

Viacom sued Time Warner Cable claiming that the company did not have the rights under its contract to stream its programming via the internet. Viacom has similarly sued Cablevision for an even more advanced iPad app that allowed streaming of channels beyond the home network. This lawsuit, however, has recently been settled.

[via NY Times]

Footage recorded on the iPad can be subsequently transferred back to your Mac or PC. In short, it’s a little like a Slingbox, but of course limited to those shows that haven’t been flagged “copy once” or with any other copy control protection. The benefit of the STB itself is that you can slot in multiple CableCards and also hook up the box to your media center PC or stream to an Xbox 360.

The SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME is available now, priced at $249.99. As for the Elgato app, that’s available in the App Store, priced at $17.99. You’ll need an iPad to use it, however, as it’s not set up to work with your iPhone or iPod touch,

Cablevision has always argued against the claim insisting that unlike other cable companies, its network was IP-based and therefore streaming to iPads, iPhones, and iPods was simply like streaming to other TV screens. It believed that it was operating within its existing contract with Viacom and other TV networks. In contrast, Viacom considered it distribution via the internet, which breaches their agreement as well as copyright law.

In the settlement today, it appears that the resolution of an “unrelated business matter” may have helped push things through. According to a joint statement, the two companies have reached an agreement to mutual satisfaction although neither side has conceded its original legal position. They also did not disclose any details on the settlement.

[via Electronista]

I guess I don’t fit into the TV-less group, but my TV is just a screen that makes it easier for me to watch, as I would prefer not to watch on my laptop. I have no plans to get cable or a satellite dish anytime soon. Just not interested. Anything I really want to watch, I can do it online, and not having cable means I’m less likely to spend hours watching TV and am more selective about what my family watches. I suspect that point of view is unlikely to become mainstream, but I do think that the group of people who are willing to pay a premium price for cable is likely to shrink, especially as more and more content is available online, and is available immediately. Also, the rise of Smart TVs and set top boxes like the Boxee Box, Apple TV, and the Roku make watching internet content easier and more accessible (you don’t have to hunch in front of your laptop).

Nielsen is now looking at including internet video in their surveys, something that I think is already overdue. According to the report:

“While Nielsen data demonstrates that consumers are viewing more video content across all platforms — rather than replacing one medium with another — a small subset of younger, urban consumers seem to be going without paid TV subscriptions for the time being. The long-term effects of this are still unclear, as it is undetermined if this is also an economic issue that will see these individuals entering the TV marketplace once they have the means, or the beginning of a larger shift to online viewing.”

To further gauge interest in streaming, we have a poll running right now asking our readers their opinions on Smart TVs.

The vast majority, 46%, say they have no plans to buy one. Only 11% say that they have a Smart TV and use all the features. This is not really surprising, since most Smart TVs come with a premium price. Vincent Nguyen just reviewed the Samsung D8000, which sells for around $3500. It’s a beautiful TV with a great picture and amazing features, but priced out of the range of many. There are cheaper options, like the Sony Google TV for $999, and if you go the set-top box route, the cost is much lower, starting at $59 for the lowest-end Roku.

Kristine at Katharses.org has an interesting perspective, as after she got a $170 cable bill, stated weighing the cost of cable vs. the cost of cutting the cord and going with a Roku player. She found that she would save about $740 per year by dumping cable, which was enough to justify the switch, and even allowed for some extra purchases renting movies on Amazon.

I don’t see people giving up their TVs, the TV is still the center of the American living room, and TV ownership is well over 90% in the U.S. and likely to stay that way. But I can definitely see cable subscribership declining, and more people cutting the cord and watching via streaming. Paying for cable, or even satellite, is going to start making less sense as more options pop up for getting what you want when you want it, and for less. With Netflix now getting original content, and seemingly everyone getting into the content streaming game, namely Amazon Prime, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Epix HD, possibly Facebook, and most recently Warner Brothers, there is no question that online streaming is where content delivery is headed.

If Nielsen wants to stay relevant, they had best start studying internet TV viewing sooner rather than later, and if cable networks want to stay in business, they will need to step up their efforts to work with streaming companies like Netflix and others instead of trying to oppose them. I’m quite happy with my Roku and my Netflix subscription, and even with small kids, I don’t feel that I need Nickelodeon. My kids are fine with their DVDs, and watching the shows that are available via Netflix streaming. And I am happy with the choices I have watching on the Roku or on DVD. The one thing my husband and I sometimes miss is being able to watch live sports, especially football. But that isn’t enough for us to justify paying for cable. If I was more of a dedicated TV watcher, though, I might feel differently. So what do you think? Have you cut the cord yet? Would you? Or if you really love having cable, why would you hate to give it up?

Yesterday we spoke of what appeared to be terrible sales of both the Motorola XOOM and the ATRIX 4G – today AT&T and Verizon have called back to say that they completely “pleased” with the results. Don Reisinger would lead you in the other direction, on the other hand, with his column by the name of Why you should spend more on a TV and less on everything else. Quite the guide. See one unlikely player telling you that you don’t need a TV, you just need a really expensive toy: Toys “R” Us may stock iPad 2 next month. – Buy a big box of Lego and an iPad 2 to stack them on!

See some leaked images of the HTC Droid Incredible 2 or the Motorola Droid 2X or even the HP Palm Mysterious! – Not to be mistaken for the Palm Reader or the HP Non-existant!

We’ve got your back but it’s best to watch your front: Pandora’s the one who sends user GPS, gender, birthday, and more to ad servers – they be pullin stunts. See Andy Rubin respond to the rumors that Android was going closed-source. The HTC EVO View 4G is now once again non-Honeycomb. SEE the T-Mobile G2X get a real release date and pricing.

Next, see what’s happening in the world of HTC with their oncoming HTC Pyramid, aka HTC Sensation – a complete fact and rumor roundup. See yourself a wild animal out there in the wild being wild with the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 SPOTTED! Learn a lot with Chris Davies in another installment of our expanding stack of teachings: SlashGear 101: What is AMD Fusion? Then have yourself a lovely bit of speculation with the possibility of Apple’s iOS 4.3.2 coming in under two weeks time.

For everything below this belt line, check out our world-famous SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up and know the early daytime truth!

The Time Warner Cable iPad app has been super popular since launch and simply allows its cable customers to view their already paid for cable channels on their iPads in a way where the iPad acts as a handheld TV. For instance, a customer can enjoy watching TV shows in their bed or keep their eye on a sports game while heading to the kitchen. Customers can only stream the channels while on their home WiFi network. Despite this modest approach, networks are upset and have been sending cease-and-desists to Time Warner Cable.

The networks consider this to be a new means of content delivery that requires re-negotiation of terms—meaning they want more money. Viacom seems to be the most aggressive of all the networks declaring the Time Warner Cable iPad app as “unlicensed distribution of Viacom’s programming.”

Viacom pretty much expects Time Warner Cable to pay them extra for the rights to stream their content to tablets and expects the cable company to eat the additional cost. Their issued statement with the lawsuit reads, “With $5.2 billion in cash from operations last year, Time Warner Cable can certainly afford to provide our programming through this new broadband service without passing along any additional cost to its customers.”

The Time Warner Cable app is said to have been downloaded more than 360,000 times. If you’ve tried the app, what do you think about this whole deal? Should Viacom have the right to charge Time Warner Cable extra just because you basically have a new TV set (in this case an iPad) in your house? We’d love to hear arguments for both sides.

[via NY Times]

The update brings more shows and channels including the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim and BBC. But more importantly, are the additional customization features. You can now mark channels as favorites and access channel history to flip back to previously viewed channels. A custom channel listing can be created to display just the shows on your most watched networks.

It’s not clear when Comcast will offer streaming of live TV such as that boasted by Time Warner Cable’s iOS app. However, the current Xfinity app does allow you to play certain movies and TV shows on your iPad via a WiFi connection. The app is free to download from the iTunes App Store.

[via Electronista]

As you know, this contest started back on January 31st, and was complete last night at midnight. In this contest you were to become fans of both ours and Toshiba’s Facebooks and Twitters, then you’d have had to have tweeted an image of yourself getting totally pumped up about your favorite team! Congratulations to everyone who entered because the contest has been a massive success!

After much debating and lots of punches thrown back and forth over whose team photo was best, we’ve selected one – ONE who will win. That winner is…

That’s right! Twitter user @Whitbord has so much Cheesehead fury that we just couldn’t resist! We’ll be contacting @Whitbord via DM on Twitter (or if @Whitbord were to contact us, that’d work too) to toss a giant television in the general direction of Green Bay!

We’re super psyched that everyone had an awesome time submitting their team spirit photos, and we’ll seeya tonight, tomorrow, and throughout the rest of time here on SlashGear, the site you love to grab the greatest technology news in the world!

Take a peek the original post to see all the rules and regulations again if you wish.

From the off, Charter will offer the TiVo Premiere for regular DVR recording together with access to the cable company’s on-demand TV catalog. The Premier UI will incorporate both the traditional system and any IPTV on offer from the new partnership, as well as online streaming video in a similar manner to Google TV.

After that will come “new devices, features, and third party applications” all using TiVo’s search/navigation/discovery engine, in an ecosystem which Charter is hoping will be somewhat easier to use than having dozens of different STBs. No word at this stage on what the Charter TiVo Premiere will cost.

Press Release:

Charter Announces Next Generation TV Strategy With TiVo

Charter and TiVo Enter Into Strategic Relationship to Deliver Innovative IP Enabled Video Platform
ST. LOUIS, MO and ALVISO, CA, Jan 24, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), today announced that Charter is setting its strategy for the next generation of television into motion with TiVo Inc. Charter and TiVo have finalized a multi-year agreement that will leverage the TiVo user interface to bring a new and enhanced entertainment experience to customers using a hybrid platform that leverages traditional cable and next generation IP technologies. Through this agreement, Charter is making a significant commitment to deploy the TiVo service to enable an enhanced television experience for consumers.

The initial phase, which is expected to launch in Charter markets later this year, will utilize TiVo’s latest generation high definition user interface and TiVo(R) Premiere set top box, as well as upcoming multi-room and non-DVR platforms. Beyond the initial phase, the strategy will encompass next generation platforms that will expand the service with new devices, features, and third party applications — all enhanced by TiVo’s highly regarded discovery, search, navigation and recommendation features which allow Charter customers to experience the best of traditional and next generation television, including linear TV, video on demand, vast libraries of Internet-delivered video and IP applications.

Consumer electronics research indicates rapidly increasing numbers of Internet-connected devices in the home, and Charter is developing the strategic means to become the advanced television solutions provider for customers, bringing simplicity to the increasing complexity of home communications and entertainment. This new generation of television service will complement Charter Internet and wireless home networking services.

“We’re integrating formerly disparate worlds of traditional television and online content, and making it simple for customers to quickly find the content they’re looking for, as well as greatly expand their entertainment choices,” said Mike Lovett, Charter’s President and CEO. “Our strategic relationship with TiVo is a significant step in Charter’s multi-year effort to become the solutions provider for home entertainment and consumer information technology. With our superior IP infrastructure, we’re leading the way with TiVo to create a user-friendly entertainment experience that leverages an open standards platform to enable IP content and bring a whole new world of applications to the television.”

Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo Inc., added, “We are thrilled to have been selected by Charter for its next generation video platform, which builds on the distribution momentum we saw throughout 2010 for our products. Charter’s strategic direction is highly aligned with the way we see consumer entertainment demands evolving. We believe Charter is uniquely positioned to offer consumers a ground breaking video service combining the best of traditional cable television with the dynamic world of Internet delivered video. We are pleased to offer a solution that seamlessly delivers DVR based video on demand, traditional network based video on demand, and the newest in broadband to the TV video on demand. While numerous consumer electronic players point to so called connected experiences on various platforms, our relationship with Charter underscores our mutual recognition of the importance of a fully integrated user experience in building a video platform that truly unifies all available content in a world of rapidly expanding choices for the consumer.”

The following features are planned for the initial product:

– TiVo’s high-definition user interface including integrated search:
Instantly scans across all channels and sources, including TV, VOD,
and available online content, to help find what customers want to
watch
– Web applications: Allows customers to access local news, sports and
weather, as well as Facebook and Twitter(TM) updates, right from the
TV
– OnDemand: Offers access to thousands of hours of video from Charter’s
OnDemand library, including 900+ high-definition titles
– Online: Internet video from top destinations
– iPad app: Serves as command central, with an ability to browse the
program guide and recorded shows, schedule recordings, post on
Facebook or Twitter, schedule, search and browse for shows from
anywhere, and much more
– Control live TV: Allows pause, rewind, slow-motion, and instant replay
functions during live TV
– Multiroom DVR: View a common list of recordings and playback recorded
content throughout the home, pause a recorded program in one room and
resume playback in another, use trick-play functions on recorded
content and delete recordings from any room*
– Remote Management: Search and schedule recordings from the Web or from
a mobile phone
– TiVoToGo(TM) transfers: Transfer photos and movies from a personal
computer to the TiVo Premiere, for viewing on the TV set; or from the
TiVo Premiere to a laptop, media device, or smart phone, for viewing
outside the home*
– Automatic recordings: Records favorite shows each week with Season
Pass(R) recordings on the TiVo Premiere. In addition,
WishList(R) searches will find and record suggested programs based
on customer interests
– Content storage: Records up to 45 hours of high-definition (HD)
programming or up to 400 hours of standard-definition programming –
equivalent to more than 16 days of content
– Full HD support: Offers full support for 1080p and 1080i HD formats

*Only video programming without copy restrictions may be transferred using multi-room viewing or TiVoToGo.

Unlike Google TV, which allows full access to the internet through set-top boxes like the Logitech Revue, Xcalibur has been designed with a more walled-garden approach to browsing. It’s unclear which video sites Comcast has opened access to, but there’s no full browser app; instead, users can access rudimentary versions of social networking sites – presumably Facebook and Twitter – to share feedback on shows with other viewers.

The STBs are apparently codenamed “Parker” – after the Spiderman hero – and are IP-enabled, though the bulk of the content they show (including on-demand video) are routed via the traditional cable network. Comcast is also looking at tailored advertising options, sending out adverts according to the shows users watch most frequently, though that functionality is not part of this current trial. What the STBs do get is a new “fluid and graphical” UI, with a redesigned program guide that can be browsed in split-screen with the current show, and a shortcut bar to recently watched channels and programs.

Congress has officially passed the new bill this week. It’s called the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, or CALM Act. However, despite the fact that Congress has passed the bill, it still needs one more step before it can be finalized, and actually put into use. At some point, if it’s not already there, the bill will be sitting on President Obama’s desk, waiting to get approved.

If the President of the United States does approve the CALM Act, then it would be up to the Federal Communications Commission to put into affect a set standard for volume level, based on the regular programming’s volume level. All of this would have to be implemented within one year. And thankfully, the CALM Act includes not only Cable providers, but satellite as well.

[via MSNBC]

There’s no doubt that some people think that, while Netflix is great, their Instant Queue could be better. Especially when it comes to TV shows. The higher-ups at Netflix have been listening, and want to make a change. According to new rumors, Netflix could be willing to pay anywhere between &70,000 and $100,00 per episode, to get the option to stream it instantly on Watch Instantly. The hope is that Netflix would be able to run the season of any particular show, even while it’s still running on air.

Of course, TV networks aren’t going easily with this, even if there is a lot of money being bandied about. According to the New York Post these networks are arguing that they have rights over current-run TV series, and therefore it would be hard for Netflix to attain them for its own service. As of the time of this writing, Netflix hasn’t commented on the rumors, and none of the TV networks that are included have been named specifically.

[via NY Post]

Crunchgear states that “the UI almost goes without saying: it’s been a long time since you could look at a TiVo and say “Well, that looks good.” It’s built using Adobe Flash, so all of the fancy swoops and swishes you’ve associated with Flash over the years totally applies. I’d almost say Zune HD like, which is a prety big compliment considering what I had to do to get my Zune HD to work”.

Engadget mentions that the UI is “quite responsive and native feeling, with live streams of video playing without a hitch” and that “The new ways to find and promote relevant content are pretty intuitive and helpful. Everything is “connected,” so it’s easy to start from a category like the “Oscars” or an actor like “Jack McBrayer” and end up on the other end of the universe, IMDB style”.

There’s also brief video coverage of the TiVo via Engadget, although it’s not of the best quality (audio-wise), but since the visual interface is what we’re really after, check it out here.

It’s looking like Verizon is planning a quieter approach to their trial, and not surprisingly, are only going to offer two Time Warner-owned channels: TNT and TBS. It’s Time Warner that’s taking the boom-stick approach, and plans on offering their own channels, as well as HBO, IFC, SyFy, and several other high-profile networks. 5,000 subscribers will be included to start, but Time Warner plans on reaching several more areas in the coming months. And as deals come through, both providers will be adding more channels regularly.

This TV Everywhere plan is an almost last-ditch effort from TV providers to get customers to keep their existing TV packages. A lot of people are shying away from standard television now a days, considering you get the same shows via the internet without much hassle anymore. Both Verizon and Time Warner are hoping that by providing Internet TV with their current plans, it will get people to keep their plans and not drop them. Time Warner has been under some heavy opposition for putting on low bandwidth caps in trials, to either discourage the switch from internet-only television watching, or to make up for the lost revenues. Either way, the bigger question is will people keep paying for their television when they can get it for free, if not cheaper on the internet?

[via Electronista]