This document discusses several updates in social TV and streaming media: 1) HBO GO will be available on Roku devices, allowing subscribers to access HBO content through their pay TV provider on additional devices. 2) Apple is expected to launch a new cloud-based movie streaming service on iTunes to compete with services like Netflix and UltraViolet. 3) Time Warner Cable has struck deals to offer video on demand rentals of new movies the same day as their theatrical release, following a similar move by Comcast, potentially threatening theater chains.

1. SOCIAL TV UPDATE: 21 OCTOBER 2011
HBO GO IS COMING TO ROKU. Sort of a mixed message here: the site is only available to viewers who subscribe to HBO
via their pay TV provider (PTP). But HBO GO offers a much deeper catalog that the PTP’s have on VOD. So this could be LINK
a test balloon for a direct subscription service or an attempt to differentiate HBO from its competitors and build loyalty.
WATCH: Will HBO attempt to sell a la carte subscriptions to cord-cutters and others who can’t sign up via their PTP
APPLE’S NEW CLOUD-BASED MOVIE SERVICE. Left coast sources seem pretty certain that Apple will soon be rolling out a
streaming movie service via iTunes. In addition to Netflix, it would compete with UltraViolet, the movie studios latest LINK
attempt to bribe people to DVDs: new DVDs come with a code that allows you to stream the movie from UltraViolet for
free. WATCH: Will Apple attempt monthly all-you-can-eat pricing or will they stick with a la carte?
TIME WARNER TO START SELLING VOD MOVIES SAME DAY AS THEATRICAL RELEASE. Comcast started this: they had a deal with
Universal to rent “Tower Heist” just three weeks after it opened. The offer was only valid in two small test markets and
would go for a whopping $60 (Actually not a bad deal for a family or 5 or more.) Theater chains rebelled, threatened not LINK
to show the movie. Universal cancelled the deal. But two days later, TWC announced it had struck deals to start renting
several new movies the day they opened. WATCH: Will theater chains also threaten to boycott TWC’s movies?
YOUTUBE IS ADDING PREMIUM CHANNELS WITH ORIGINAL CONTENT FROM MAJOR HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS. Google has deep
pockets and they appear to be using them to buy original programming from Hollywood’s finest to create premium
channels on YouTube. YouTube has great distribution deals with PTPs, who had never seen sneezing pandas and LINK
dancing babies as a threat. WATCH: Google’s original forays into Hollywood were unsuccessful: if they can arrange
something this time, will viewers accept YouTube as a legitimate broadcast channel?
FACEBOOK IS LOOKING TO BECOME A TV DISTRIBUTOR. Facebook has allegedly been talking to major broadcast and cable
networks about becoming a distribution channel, letting both parties harness the power of “frictionless sharing” and
collect data on viewers watching and liking habits. With 800 million users, it should certainly prove attractive. WATCH: LINK
TV-on-Facebook is a suboptimal experience. But if users can get shows from Facebook to their HDTVs, they may start
to view the social network as a TV network.
Alan Wolk, Managing Director, Social Strategy @ KIT digital