CES Preview from CableFAX TECH
Aside from a slew of celebrities and the trio of "Boston Guys" in DISH‘s commercials, key things for the cable crowd to watch at this week’s 2014 International CES include discussions around how OTT players have changed the video market and cable’s move to differentiate and retain cable subs with HDTV, gaming, music and other add-on services. A panel of execs, including Rob Hayes, evp digital at NBC Entertainment; Jake Katz, vp of audience insights and strategy at Revolt TV; and Manish Jha, mobile gm at NFL, offered insight on ways to tackle the future distribution and the monetization of linear content. (For more details, read the story here in CableFAX Daily)
A panel on hybrid TV, which represents TV on all platforms packaged in options from free to high-end premium subscription, will address how video content can be delivered at multiple price points on multiple platforms. With major TV makers demonstrating 4K TV of all sizes and tech firms announcing new High-Efficiency Video Coding services, 4K might be one of the biggest stories coming out of this year’s show. The verdict is still out on how interested consumers are in upgrading their giant flat screens. Execs, including Tom Cosgrove, pres/CEO of 3net Studios, Chris Cookson, pres of Sony Pictures Technologies and Comcast Cable’ s CTO Tony Werner, will offer a market overview and forecast on 4K content and delivery.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings was at LG‘s press conference on Mon to support the launch of LG 4K TV, which will allow streaming of 4K content. Another trend to watch is the new generation of gaming consoles like PS4 and Xbox One. Marc Whitten, the mastermind behind Xbox at Microsoft, is expected to discuss how game consoles are becoming advanced entertainment hubs featuring various content options. Perhaps these upgraded game consoles are the only set-tops consumers will ever need?
