Seth Gilbert, 02-27-2008
Wednesday at Jeffries annual Internet Conference, Netflix CFO Barry McCarthy delivered the most unusual of things for this earnings season: a positive announcement. On the back of a $100m stock buyout program, and decreasing competition from Blockbuster, Netflix raised their prior earnings guidance.
In his report, McCarthy said the company is now expecting first quarter earnings of 15 to 22 cents a share, up from prior forecasts that fell in the 13 to 21 cent range. Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 02-22-2008
The high volume of Internet video sites begs the question “why more?” each time there is a new launch or venture financing in the space. The spate of comedy focused sites begs a punchline. Yet even with sites like HBO’s This Just In failing in July, Revver selling out on the cheap this month, or Grouper changing its name and business objectives over the summer, more video sites still appear like chickens waiting to cross the proverbial road.
The latest entrant into the fray has the benefit of a memorable name: comedy.com. The question is will that make a difference? Will their effort turn out to be another equivalent of amateur night at small town bar or will they headline with must-see footage before a packed house on a bigger stage?
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 02-20-2008
With the gaming industry setting records at retail, content creators are increasingly looking to bring development activity in house instead of having to share the revenue pie with third party developers. To that end, it’s been previously reported that video game tie-ins for the next installment of Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story franchise will be developed inside Disney instead of with previous partner THQ. Now, to keep on top of similar online and casual gaming initiatives, and streamline internal management, Disney has announced they will create a new division within the Disney Online Internet Group.
The new organization will be called Disney Online Studios. While not exciting news to those uninvolved, the reorganization hints at Disney’s recognition of the increasing value of their online entertainment offerings and shows a concerted plan to accelerate development of new offerings.(Disney made related moves to strengthen its M&A focus in late November. )
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 02-15-2008
Like a ball rolling down hill, HD DVD’s demise appears to be picking up speed and momentum. Following on the heels of Netflix announcement, and similar news from Best Buy, now Wal-Mart too is dropping the format in favor of rival Blu Ray too.
Both on their blog and in a statement, Wal-Mart has acknowledged HD DVD will be phased out of their stores within a few months.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert,
The devil is in the details, they say. That’s especially true with business rumors. More often than not they start with a kernel of truth and then distort around the facts. Last week, the rumor was Internet video site Revver was gasping for last breaths and on the verge of sale for a fraction of the $12.7m so far invested. Speculation was that it might be had for as little as $500k plus the assumption of debt. Now, correcting prior reports, Newteevee is reporting the web video company did in fact sell but for a far less desperate price than originally speculated.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 02-11-2008
The HD DVD next generation DVD format went on life support went Warner Brothers pledged their loyalty to rival Blu Ray just before the start of January’s Consumer Electronics Show. A dramatic price cut in January 14th has done little in the way of resuscitation. Now, in a signal the format’s days are growing especially short, DVD rental service Netflix is dropping HD DVD too.
While Netflix doesn’t rent a tremendous volume of high definition discs, they’ve stocked both Blu Ray and HD DVD since 2006. Per their new decision, which was announced today, they will phase out all HD DVD discs from their inventory by the end of the year. They will also cease adding new HD DVD titles effective immediately.
Click to Read More
Seth Gilbert, 02-7-2008
MTV has been through its share of ups and downs as the original cable TV brand has matured, new offerings launched, and their audience’s preferences adapted to changing entertainment and communication technologies. Now, MTV will see some change in the executive ranks too.
Christina Norman, president of the cable channel since 2005, and a 17 year veteran of Viacom’s MTV Networks, has resigned. She will leave at the end of the month.
Click to Read More
