Multiscreen Viewers Changing Media Landscape

The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) has teamed up with two industry research firms to study how new technologies are affecting the way consumers receive video. In two separate studies, the group has found that not only are consumers using second and sometimes third screens to watch video, but those who are using multiple screens are completely changing the entire media landscape.

First, CIMM says a significant share of TV viewers are using PCs and mobile devices as second and third screens to access video content. According to a new cross-platform pilot test with Arbitron, the firm says 92% of all TV watchers use an auxiliary screen to access video, and more than 1/3 (35.5%) use three screens... a TV, personal computer and a mobile device.

CIMM data show a panel of Arbitron Portable People Meter (PPM) participants who viewed broadcast and cable TV outlets also accessed content on CIMM member websites/apps as well as internet video sites - Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube - across all three devices. Further, the group says 1) out-of-home consumption accounted for 13% of total time spent with CIMM TV and online video sites; 2) 35% percent of viewers accessed online video sites "at-work," and 3) nearly three out of four "at-work" video consumers watched on a desktop PC.

In a second study, CIMM released a white paper with research firm comScore that says while multi-screen viewing habits are extending consumers' engagement with media brands beyond TV, multiple digital "touchpoints" simultaneously increases ecosystem complexity. For starters,  comScore data suggests while TV remains the leading media channel (72% of respondents report being 'TV-only'), as much as 11% are web- or mobile-only for TV content.

Other findings from the comScore report include:

• An average of 90% of consumers engaging with a given media brand did so on TV, while 25% did so online and 12% via internet video.

• During a 5-week test period, 60% of a media brand's consumers accessed TV and online during concurrent 30-minute increments; and 29% of a brand's consumers accessed Facebook concurrently with their TV viewing. •

DISH Investment Shows Broadband Cards

DISH unveiled a new partnership late Monday that sheds light on the satellite operator's future plans to launch a mobile broadband service. The company will collaborate with Qualcomm to enable support of satellite-based communications in the mobile firm's Snapdragon platform which features an integrated 3G/LTE modem "for use in future DISH wireless devices."

The companies said the new initiative will enable the development of mobile handsets and other devices for DISH that can operate in both terrestrial and satellite modes in the 2 GHz/AWS-4 band. The plan comes ahead of the FCC's highly-anticipated final ruling on S-band usage, in which DISH is asking for a modification to current rules that would enable the company to use its spectrum for mobile broadband service.

"For DISH to be competitive in the wireless broadband space, it is critical that we are able to offer terrestrial broadband service to consumers," DISH EVP Tom Cullen said. "With the (FCC) rulemaking still underway, the Qualcomm development funding is a risk-based investment, yet it is important for us to accelerate a long-term path to developing both the satellite and ground-based mobile markets."

Developing the technology will enable DISH to launch a "truly ubiquitous" nationwide wireless broadband service, he said. Observers say the Qualcomm deal may help reduce regulatory concerns that DISH intends to dump its spectrum after winning FCC approval. Financial terms of the investment were undisclosed. •

Online Video Ratings Coming - Comcast Blasts BSkyB Report - Starz's New Streaming Partner

Rules & Regs: The FCC is seeking comments on the proposals it has received on how to implement the Connect America Fund plan. Of importance to the agency is whether rural broadband service should be provided via fiber or DSL. --- The FCC last week announced an agreement with communications regulators in Mexico to create a spectrum sharing plan along the two nations' mutual border.

Strategy: Several reports say broadcasters are set to launch video content ratings for online shows similar to the system used for TV. MediaDecoder has some details. --- Sprint said it will now charge customers $15 to change their phone numbers; a service that used to be free. --- NBC Sports Group is reportedly working with Dial Global to launch a syndicated radio service to ... you guessed it - compete with ESPN.

Rumor Mill: Last week, the NYT published a story that said Comcast is interested in buying BSkyB. Responded company VC/CFO Michael Angelakis: "Complete rubbish." --- Seems it's not just technology that's keeping Intel from launching its facial-recognition software for targeted TV ads... programmers aren't willing to make licensing deals for individual networks for less than what they're making from cable. Reuters has the story.

Deals: Movie streaming service FlixFling inked a content distribution deal with Starz Digital Media for the company's library of movies and TV content. The TVOD deal includes major film titles and original Starz programming for smart TVs, Blu-ray players, and select connected STBs. Financial terms of the deal were undisclosed. --- Rentrak signed a media measurement agreement with GaiamTV.com.

Footprint: Verizon Wireless expanded its 4G LTE network in Huntington and Logan, W-VA, and Ashland, KY. --- AT&T said it will add Harlem's Rucker Park as part of its initiative to supply public parks in NYC with free WiFi.

OTT: D-Link (maker of the Boxee STB) unveiled a new OTT solution this week called MovieNite Plus which streams HD-quality content from Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, Facebook and (soon) Hulu Plus straight to the TV. MovieNight also offers more than 130 channels and apps for various entertainment options. --- Netflix launched its "Just for Kids" interface on Boxee Box, WD TV Live, and select connected TVs from Sharp and Vizio. --- Tech startup Infinitec has launched PocketTV, a flash drive-sized dongle that plugs into a TV's HDMI port to enable internet connectivity. PCMag has details.

Research: DFC Intelligence estimates that video game software revenues will increase from $52B last year to $70B in 2017 with PCs accounting for the bulk of the market share (39%), followed by gaming consoles (36%) and mobile devices (25%). --- TechNavio says the global mobile VoIP solutions market will grow at a CAGR of 56% over the next three years.

$$$: CBS priced a debt offering of $400M of 1.95% senior notes due 2017 and $500M of 4.85% senior notes due 2042. --- Inflight WiFi provider Row44 closed a $45M round of financing. --- Wireless broadband network component supplier General Dynamics closed its purchase of IPWireless, a wireless broadband equipment provider, for an undisclosed amount.

Programming: The NCAA, ESPN and Creative Street Entertainment have teamed up to produce and air "Sporting Chance," a documentary about Title IX in sports. The doc with premiere on ESPN2 on Jun 23 at noon (ET).

SkyREPORT: The City of Boston passed legislation that places restrictions on where a satellite dish can be installed. Language in the bill says landlords have to remove unused dishes by 2015. --- SES intro'd its SAT-IP technology this week. The satellite giant's new tech converts satellite signals to IP for advanced in-home distribution to connected devices.

Online: Slacker.com is making 6 ESPN Radio stations available online and through its free mobile app. --- Here's one place you might not want to see your company's name online: Wacktrap.com - the latest in social networking for consumer complaints.

Over, Up, & Under: Technicolor rejected JP Morgan's latest offer of €1.6-€1.9 per share, which would have valued the company at ~€170M ($212M). --- NTT said it will launch a global enterprise cloud solution. --- Afghani communications provider Roshan says it has eclipsed 6M subscribers. --- Polish cable operator Multimedia Polksa issued 5-year bonds worth a total of €58M ($72.4M).

People: Everyone has an opinion about DISH's Ad-Hopper. Count Marc Cuban among them... as the Maverick-owning media mogul is advising broadcasters to adapt rather than resist. Read his take at The Wrap.  --- The 2012 NAMIC Vision Award winner for Best Performance - Comedy, Luis Guzman, has also been selected to receive this year's Member's Choice Award for his work in the HBO original program "How to Make it in America." --- Maybe you've heard, but NPR's Tom and Ray Magliozzi (aka Click and Clack - the Tappet Brothers) are ending "Car Talk" after 35 years. Listen while you can.

Letters to the Editor (re: Monday's 'Maxwell'): To paraphrase an old saw: 'Life is what happens when you are busy espousing truth...' I have yet to see an 'irrefutable truth' survive... even in science. It would seem that exceptions are the norm. (And regarding) TVB, where do us over-50 semi-retireds (forcibly, I might add) who watch TV while working/playing online fall in? DVRs are kind enough to assist in compressing 3-12 hours/day down to 2-9. -Brad Giles --- As a songwriter you'll appreciate Johnny Cash's "What is Truth" lyrics from early 1970 written around the time of his 'Man in Black' stuff. The song made the charts, but wasn't as well known as his other releases of that time. Taken in context of what was going on in the late 60's, Cash was one of the few that tried to understand and document what was happening. -Dan Pike --- It isn't who's truth as in who's version. The real question is who is truth. -Clyde Robbins

--- Catch today's media market news in The Evening BRIDGE. •