Connected TV: Connected TV (or CTV) refers to a television set that is connected to the Internet via OTT devices, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles, or has built-in Internet capabilities (in other words, a so-called “Smart TV”). Connected TVs can generally access short- and long-form web-based content.

According to the global information company IHS, shipments for the Google Chromecast digital media player surpassed Apple TV shipments. That’s the first time that’s ever happened. And according to HIS, it actually wasn’t close: 3.2 million Chromecasts shipped in Q1, compared to 1.7 million Apple TVs. The Chromecast has become more competitive with its rivals since launching its next-gen device last September. Among other features, the newer Chromecast is designed to be much easier to plug into a TV than the previous model. Oh, and it’s much cheaper than the Apple TV, selling for $35. The Apple TV starts at $149.
 
According to MoffettNathanson Senior Research Analyst Michael Nathanson, Hulu’s upcoming live TV service will likely cost around $34 per month. Factored into the analysis is the fact that Disney/ABC, NBCU, and Fox (the three of which co-own Hulu) will, in all likelihood, be included in the service. (“We think that with the backing of Disney and Fox and the tag-along prospects of NBCU, you’ve got three of the four broadcast networks lined up,” Nathanson said.) The service is slated to launch next year.

Legendary Digital Networks, the digital division of Legendary Entertainment, is set to launch a new streaming service. Called Alpha, the service is a joint venture between the LDN channels Geek & Sundry and Nerdist and will deliver live and interactive programming, allowing subscribers to interact with each other, and with the shows’ content and personalities. Alpha will heavily employee tools such as polling and chat, and will also allow some users to appear on screen during webcasts. Subscribers will also get VIP event access, as well as merchandise discounts and other bonuses.

A new announcement from OWNZONES, a technology platform offering a multi-platform distribution solution for media companies and content owners: The indie entertainment distributor Cinedigm will create channels for OWNZONES.com. The first label to create a channel will be ConTV, Cinedigm’s OTT service geared toward the Comic Con community. “By using the right structure for our team, and the right technology solutions, we’ve been able to…do things on a very cost-efficient basis,” said Dan Goman, OWNZONES’ Founder and CEO, in a recent interview with Cynopsis Digital. “And I think that’s one of the reasons why you see more and more companies coming to us: We’re able to leverage the latest and greatest on the technology side, and do things more efficiently. And in some cases that results in almost a 75% cost-savings over what companies are currently doing.”

The money keeps pouring into VR. Virtual Reality Company (or VRC) is the latest virtual reality production startup to take in a hefty fundraising round. The production company, which is known for The Martian VR Experience (a 20 minute companion experience produced in support of 20th Century Fox’s The Martian), has raised $23 million from the Chinese company Hengxin Mobile Business Co., Ltd. (Hengxin is also gaining exclusive Chinese distribution right for VRC content.) VRC was co-founded by Robert Stromberg, the well-known Hollywood visual effects artist who directed Disney’s Maleficent. He serves as VRC’s Chief Creative Officer.
 
Limitless VR, a startup that’s been developing technology for responsive VR characters that can respond to the voices and movements of users, also nabbed some funding. The company raised about $1 million in a new seed round. Investors included the music producer Jay Rifkin and actor Masi Oka (NBC’s Heroes). Rifkin and Oka are also joining the company’s board of advisors.

How much did Google pay to acquire YouTube in 2006? You can find the answer in tomorrow’s newsletter.

Friday’s Trivia Question: Last year, German publisher Axel Springer acquired an online publication in a deal that valued the publication in question at almost $450 million. Which publication was it? Answer: Business Insider
 

Bet you wish you’d taken this course when you were in college. In a class focusing on virtual and augmented reality, a team of computer science students at the University of Washington had access to the Microsoft HoloLens development team, and also heard from other VR/AR players, including Oculus Chief Scientist Michael Abrash. The end goal of the course was to design an app. To take a look at the fruits of the students’ labor, go here.
 
Watcheroo Premieres and Tune-in Alerts for the week of June 13:
– People Now at People.com, Monday-Friday at 8:30a ET and 11:30a ET: Guests include director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day: Resurgence), TV personality Nick Cannon (NBC’s America’s Got Talent), and model and actress Amber Rose (VH1’s The Amber Rose Show).
– Acorn TV: The ITV period biopic Cilla makes its U.S. debut on the streaming service today, June 13.
– Crackle: Season 8 of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, starring Jerry Seinfeld, debuts June 16
– Seeso: Gentlemen Lobsters, based on the GQ series, debuts on NBCU’s comedy streaming service June 16
– Seeso: The documentary The Pistol Shrimps, about an all-female recreational basketball team, debuts June 16
– Netflix: Season Four of Orange Is the New Black debuts June 17
Watcheroo is Cynopsis Digital’s tune-in guide, categorized alphabetically by platform or network. Programming includes digital premieres, ongoing shows, live-streamed events and linear TV digital integrated series.

See you tomorrow,
David Teich
06.13.16

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