Dot+Dot=Line?:LMGa+WAVX+ReplayTV+Starz:Encore=Bonanza?
I read a Press Release by John Sie (Chr. Starz/Encore) last WED. The part that I focused on was the following language-
"...John J. Sie said today at an industry speech in Los Angeles that Starz Encore is creating a new service allowing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) to offer video-on-demand. The service will use current DBS technology plus hard drives in set-top boxes. Starz Encore will team with ReplayTV, Inc. to create the service, giving DBS the ability to offer both subscription video-on-demand (S-VOD) for Starz Encore Super Pak subscribers and pay-per-view video-on-demand (P-VOD), which offers earlier window movies on a transactional basis....." { biz.yahoo.com }
The announcement of the pact underscored how a VOD (video-on-demand)service can be deployed using two alternatives: two-way broadband or one-way with a hard drive in set-top boxes. From a strategic standpoint, Sie emphasized the race between DBS and cable distribution services to offer movies, both on a subscription (S-VOD) and a transactional basis (P-VOD), will be a strong determinant in the ongoing battle for market share.
Sie goes on to state "....I am steadfast in my belief that in order to unlock the revenue potential of VOD, the subscription-based component must be provided in addition to the transactional component in order to overcome the hurdles that give consumers pause before buying a pay-per-view movie,' concluded Sie. ``We know that movies have immense consumer appeal when delivered through a subscription model, whether it's analog, one-way, or two-way digital technology......"
Then it hit me, Who is going to supply the P-VOD or transactional basis technology/security infrastructure for this type of system? If it isn't WAVX it sure sounds like it! Set top boxes, cable systems, P-VOD, security, or as Sie said in the PR that Starz and ReplayTV will "....develop jointly the new service employing personal video recorder (PVR) devices as surrogates for digital servers as storage authorization and distribution vehicles for movie programming. Market and technology trials are expected to begin later this year...". The last phrase makes me believe that the technology is here, it's just a matter of assembling the pieces.
The bonus in this announcement is who actually owns ( or has significant equity positions in! ) Starz and ReplayTV and a host of other media delivery and content companies, LIBERTY MEDIA GROUP, LMGa!!! And who is Liberty? Below is a short brief description. As you read through the list think that if WAVX is the technology to be used in the P-VOD set top box (and note that LMGa owns a position in General Instrument!!), ask youself what this implies? Comments appreciated!-
Liberty Media holds interests in a broad range of video programming, communications, technology and Internet businesses in the United States, Europe, South America and Asia. Liberty Media's principal assets include interests in Encore Media Group, Discovery Communications, Inc., Time Warner Inc., QVC, Inc., USA Networks, Inc., Telewest Communications plc, TV Guide, Inc., General Instrument Corporation, Sprint PCS Group and The News Corporation Limited. Liberty Media Group also has interests in certain other domestic and international programming networks and businesses below-
Cable, Satellite & Broadcast Television Networks
BET Holdings II, Inc.
Canales ¤
Court TV
Discovery Communications, Inc.
Encore Media Group
E! Entertainment Television
Flextech p.l.c. (UK)
Fox Kids Worldwide, Inc.
International Channel
Jupiter Programming Co., Ltd.
MacNeil/Lehrer Productions
MultiTh‚matiques, S.A.
The News Corporation Limited
Odyssey
Pramer S.C.A. (Argentina)
The Premium Movie Partnership (Australia)
QVC Inc.
Telemundo Network
Telemundo Station Group
Time Warner Inc.
TV Guide, Inc.
Torneos y Competencias, S.A.
USA Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: USAI)
Internet/Interactive Television Services
Liberty Digital, Inc.
AT&T Access Agreement
Academic Systems
ACTV, Inc.
BET.com
CarsDirect.com, Inc.
Digital Health Group
DMX LLC
Drugstore.com, Inc.
HomeGrocer.com, Inc.
iBeam Broadcasting Corporation
Interactive Pictures Corporation
iVillage, Inc.
ISS Group
KPCB Java Fund, L.P.
The Lightspan Partnership, Inc.
MTV Online
netLibrary, Inc.
Online Retail Partners
OpenTV Inc.
pogo.com, Inc.
priceline.com Incorporated
Quokka Sports, Inc. Incorporated
Replay Networks Inc.
Sportsline, USA, Inc.
TiVO, Inc.
UGO Networks, Inc.
Cable, Telephony & Satellite
Cable Management Ireland
TCI Chile L.P.
Cablevisi¢n S.A.
Emmis Communications Corp.
Geocoast Network Systems Inc.
Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd.
Princes Holdings Limited
Sky Latin America
Sprint PCS Group
TCI Cablevisi¢n of Puerto Rico, Inc.
Telewest Communications plc
XM Satellite Radio Inc.
UnitedGlobalCom, Inc.
Technology
Antec Corporation
General Instrument Corporation
LMGa - libertymedia.com
ReplayTV - replaytv.com
Starz - www.encoremedia.com |
