NHK Joins Joost
July 9, 2008
LONDON AND TOKYO – JULY 9, 2008 – Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (NHK), the sole Japanese public broadcaster, announced today that it will bring a selection of its program offerings to Joost™, the world’s first broadcast-quality Internet television service.
“NHK has been a powerhouse of Japanese broadcasting since its launch, and to have a public broadcaster at the forefront of digital distribution demonstrates their innovative outlook,” said Mike Volpi, chief executive officer, Joost. “This is a great opportunity and partnership for Joost; we’re able to expand our international footprint and give NHK the opportunity to introduce their brand of entertainment and news programming to people around the world.” Read more
Microsoft: It’s Not The Broadcast Flag, It’s A Different Flag
May 29, 2008
After certain NBC TV shows wouldn’t record on Microsoft’s Vista Media Center a few weeks ago, Microsoft admitted that Media Center includes broadcast flag technology, while NBC Universal admitted that it accidentally set the flag. However, now Microsoft is trying to clarify, claiming that it’s not actually the broadcast flag that it included, but an entirely different flag, called CGMS-A. NBC Universal concurs, saying that the mistake it made was in setting the CGMS-A flag. Of course… the real question is why does this matter at all? If the impact is identical (Microsoft willing to let TV networks declare a show un-recordable), then what does it matter which annoying copy protection scheme is used?
[From Microsoft: It's Not The Broadcast Flag, It's A Different Flag]
CollegeHumor to Distribute Original Video Content on Joost
February 22, 2008
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 22, 2008 – CollegeHumor (www.collegehumor.com), the definitive source for irreverent student humor and leading online source of original comedy videos, today announced that it will bring its high-quality CHTV original videos to Joost™ (www.joost.com), the world’s first broadcast-quality Internet television service.
CollegeHumor’s CHTV original videos will be made available on Joost through the newly launched “CHTV: CollegeHumor Original Videos” Joost channel (http://joost.com/3020001). Initial programming includes a collection of CollegeHumor’s most popular original series, including “Street Fighter: The Later Years,” “The Michael Showalter Showalter,” “Prank War,” and “Hardly Working.” Additionally, CollegeHumor will provide hit video satires “Brohemian Rhapsody,” “Minesweeper: The Movie,” and “Facebook Off.” Moving forward, as CollegeHumor continues to launch new original videos the company will continue to make them available to Joost viewers through the CHTV Joost channel.
“We are excited to be partnering with Joost to launch the CollegeHumor channel because it gives us an opportunity to introduce our original videos to a new, savvy audience,” said Ricky Van Veen, Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of CollegeHumor. “Joost’s high quality, full screen platform is one of the few places where our high definition widescreen originals can look as good as they do on CollegeHumor.com.”
Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, executive vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Joost, said, “CollegeHumor is a pioneer in online video entertainment, and a perfect partner for Joost. Their shows – which are written and produced specifically for web audiences – are hysterical, and because of their commitment to high production values, they look great on Joost.”
OurStage Brings User Picked Content To Joost
January 18, 2008
Indie music and film site OurStage has announced a new content partnership with Joost that will see user picked content offered to Joost users.Under the deal, OurStage will offer four channels on Joost: Best of OurStage Shorts, Best of OurStage Comedy, OurStage Music Videos and OurStage Artist Access. The channels will give Joost users access to 10 OurStage Artists on each channel and exclusive content including music festival coverage & advice from established musicians & filmmakers.
OurStage launched in March 2007 and lets users rank and buy Inide songs and video. Artists upload their content, which users then judge - two snippets are heard/ watched and the user votes for which one he or she likes the best. The result are constantly updated in to top lists of songs. The top songs overall or by category are then listed on the site, and prizes are given to the top artists each month.
Source: techcrunch
PBS and Joost Form Content Alliance
December 18, 2007
ARLINGTON, VA – Dec. 18, 2007 – PBS announced today that it will begin featuring select full-length programming on Joost™, the world’s first broadcast-quality Internet television service. At launch, the PBS offering will include popular series, such as History Detectives and Scientific American Frontiers, as well as specials from PBS’ award-winning “Empires” collection.
“PBS is dedicated to making our content as easily accessible on as many platforms as possible,” said Andrew Russell, Senior Vice President, PBS Ventures. “Working with a premier company like Joost will engage new audiences and reinforce the value of supporting local PBS stations.”
Through its partnership with Joost, PBS has bolstered its recent efforts to satisfy the burgeoning demand for online video content. Establishing a multiplatform presence is a critical component to building the PBS viewing community. PBS programming will be available free of charge to Joost users. The PBS channel can be accessed at http://joost.com/237000d.
Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, executive vice president, content strategy and acquisition for Joost, said, “PBS’ high-quality, compelling documentaries and series complement the Joost offering and give our viewers an even greater variety of programming to choose from. Documentaries are performing well on Joost, proof that people are consuming long-form programming in addition to our shorter programming, like comedy, animation, sports and music.”
Founded by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström, Joost combines the best of TV and the best of the Internet by offering viewers a full-screen audiovisual experience enhanced with the choice, control and flexibility of Web 2.0. Joost is the first online, global TV distribution platform, bringing together advertisers, content owners and viewers in an interactive, community-driven environment.
About PBS
PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches nearly 73 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of digital learning content for pre-K-12 educators and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.
About Joost™
Joost provides a new way of watching video that combines the best of full-screen TV entertainment with the interactive and community benefits of the Internet to bring broadcast-quality video to viewers anytime, anywhere. Based on a state-of-the-art, secure, peer-to-peer streaming technology, Joost can be accessed with a broadband Internet connection and offers video content to viewers for free. Joost features more than 250 channels with programming across all genres, including: cartoons and animation; entertainment and film; sports; comedy; lifestyle and documentaries; and sci-fi. Channels and programs available on Joost vary by geographic region, based on copyright ownership.
To learn more about Joost, visit www.joost.com.
Bullseye TV is now four on Joost
December 18, 2007
Zodiak TV-owned UK independent Bullseye Television has expanded its IPTV presence by splitting its existing Braindead channel on Joost into four genre-specific offerings from next month.
From the middle of next month, Bullseye will introduce the Braindead Comedy, Braindead Crime, Braindead Sport and Braindead Reality brands on Joost.
Via c21media
NBA “Instant Classic” Games and Highlights to be Featured on Joost
December 17, 2007
NEW YORK – December 17, 2007 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Joost™ today announced the launch of the NBA Channel on Joost, the world’s first broadcast-quality Internet television service. The new channel will provide fans around the world with viewing access to “Instant Classic” NBA games and video highlight packages for the remainder of the 2007-08 NBA season.
As part of the new relationship, the NBA Channel will feature complete replays of memorable NBA games, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006, and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James’ sensational performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, in which he scored the Cavaliers’ final 25 points to lead his team to a 109-107 double-overtime victory.
“The NBA is always looking to further engage our fans around the world and expand our digital offerings with innovative products like Joost,” said Attila Gazdag, senior vice president of global media distribution for the NBA. “With the new NBA Channel on Joost, we offer our fans yet another platform to experience all the action of the NBA in a full-screen, high-quality environment.”
Joost has more than 20,000 programs and 400 channels
December 11, 2007
Joost might have been criticed for not having enough content… but if by enough content one mean number of available programs then I have some news for you… Joost just passed the 20,000 programs mark! During the last 3 months and a half Joost grew it’s program selection from 10,000 to 20,000 (based on onthetoob.com statistics). Not bad. Is that enough content for you?
Back in August 31st when I announced that Joost had reached the 10,000 programs milestone I suggested that if they kept current pace they would be at 20,000 by the end of february 2008. They certainly increased the release cycle, beating the linear estimate by 2 months and a half.
Joost keep adding fresh content to it’s library daily, so keep looking back for more.
Congratulation Joost!
Film24 comes to Joost
December 11, 2007
Movie channel Film24 has announced a distribution agreement with online video site Joost.
The new service went live on 6 December with Film24 providing six hours of new content to Joost each month.
Both sides have said they will be working closely with the service to tailor forthcoming programming to its audience’s demands.
Andrew Burns, chief operating officer of Film24, described the deal as a ” perfect match.”
Appropriately, the debut programme package from Film24 for Joost consists of 24 programmes, including the two-part documentary Stand By For Action, about British film and television legend Gerry Anderson.
There will also be exclusive behind the scenes reports and interviews with the stars of films from Control and Cocaine Cowboys through High School Musical 2 to Rendition and Mrs Ratcliffe’s Revolution. .
Yvette Alberdingkthijm, executive vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Joost, said: “It is our aim to secure the very best content for our viewers – which includes providing programming that offers in-depth coverage and insights into the subjects and genres that meet their interests.”
North One Television expanding its relationship with Joost
December 6, 2007
FM2007 PREVIEW: All3Media-owned UK indie North One Television is expanding its relationship with internet TV service Joost after receiving “surprising” returns from the start-up’s first ad revenue pay-outs to its content partners.
North One has created channels on Joost based around motoring magazine programme Fifth Gear and The Gadget Show, both of which it produces for UK terrestrial Five.
The firm was one of the first to be involved in Joost beta-testing and is now exploring further opportunities after receiving promising initial payments from the platform following the introduction of advertising and its public launch in the autumn.
Speaking ahead of his appearance at C21’s FutureMedia Conference 2007 at BAFTA in London next week, North One head of commercial programming John Nolan said the amount of revenue to come back was “surprising.”
“I can’t tell you the figures but I can say we’re very pleased with them, and as a result we’re reviewing and expanding our relationship with Joost across a number of areas of programming in multiple territories,” Nolan told C21.
Joost CEO Mike Volpi will also be among the speakers at FM2007 on December 13, where he is due to provide an update on the company’s latest developments.
Volpi will also offer his perspective on Kangaroo, the online video-on-demand joint venture confirmed last week by BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4. BBC Worldwide director of digital media Simon Danker will also be among the speakers.
For more on the FM2007 agenda and to register your attendance click here.
Source: c21media
