Want to watch YouTube on your TV? There are plenty of devices and services that let you do that, with more on the way. But starting next month, at least one gadget is getting its YouTube feed shut down: Syabas, which makes a line of set-top boxes called “Popcorn Hour,” says Google’s video site has told it to remove YouTube content from its offering beginning December 2.
Yet another sign that revenue-free start-ups can still attract investors, given the right pitch: Boxee, the software company that makes it easy to get Web video onto your TV, has raised a $6 million B round led by General Catalyst. I’m told the new round pegs the company’s value in the $25 million to $30 million range. What’s the appeal? The chance that the company could play a role in the disruption of the $70 billion TV business.
Want to watch the season finale of “30 Rock” for free, whenever you want, on a big screen? Go for it, says Hulu–just don’t watch it on a TV.
Confused? Of course. So was I when I checked out Hulu’s new “Desktop” app, launched today as part of the video service’s new “Labs” collection of experimental offerings.
Basically, it’s downloadable software that makes it easier than ever to watch Hulu’s shows and clips in the same way that you’d watch TV–on your sofa, remote in hand. But Hulu wants to make sure you don’t actually think it replaces TV.
What does it take to add a third player to a joint venture between two media conglomerates? More than four months of negotiations. Tens of millions of dollars help, too. That’s what finally got Disney to join up with GE’s NBC and News Corp.’s Fox in Hulu, the fast-growing Web video site. Here’s what that means for the three networks and the rest of the Web video business.
When I first met Avner Ronen two months ago, the Israeli entrepreneur was basking in buzz. Now his Web video start-up has gotten a sobering dose of reality from the television establishment, courtesy of NBC and Fox. But Ronen still thinks he can get big TV, and big cable, to play along with him. He has a persuasive case.
Just in case anyone was wondering: Hulu, the Web video service that lets you watch Fox and NBC shows on your computer, really doesn’t want you to plug that computer into your TV. And Boxee, a start-up that makes it easy for you to plug your computer into your TV so you can watch Web video, doesn’t care.
Last month, Hulu yanked its content off of Boxee, the buzzy start-up that makes it easy to get Web video from your PC to your TV. Today, Hulu’s stuff is back on Boxee, but without Hulu’s permission. A victory for technology in the battle against dated business models and walled gardens? Sort of. But not a resounding one.
Who’s pushing Hulu to stop putting its movies and TV shows on Boxee, the nifty, free Web video service? Here’s a theory: Perhaps it was your cable company, which has the most to lose from a free, nifty Web video service.
Even in the worst of times, people are supposed to hold their TVs close to their hearts: Turn off the heat? Sure. But don’t you dare take my cable away. So this can’t be good: Cable giant Comcast turned in a fourth-quarter report card this morning that beat Wall Street’s revenue and earnings expectations. But it lost more basic subscribers than analysts had expected and added fewer higher-end digital subs than anticipated.
Another would-be “viral video” from NBC’s show that NBC can’t show you on NBC.com or Hulu. Blame a copyright issue (of course), and look for it on YouTube instead.
I don’t want the Web on my big screen TV. I do want easy access to Web video, though–especially stuff like Hulu and Netflix on Demand. Enter Boxee, and cue worried cable execs.
Peter Kafka has been covering media and technology since 1997, when he joined the staff of Forbes magazine. Most recently, he has been the managing editor of the tech and media Web site, Silicon Alley Insider. Read more »
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