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Adidas launches Adidas.tv

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adidasAdidas has unveiled an exclusive first look of ,a href=”http://www.adidas.tv”>Adidas.tv, a video distribution platform to deliver inspirational and exciting content which you can add to your profile page, favourite blog and on Adidas.com.

The content channel will house an expansive collection of videos, including interviews with top adidas athletes, event footage as well as the latest videos from advertising campaigns. Users will be able to create their own customisable channel using “My TV” which allows users and key adidas partners to watch, browse, search for and take their favourite adidas.tv content via widgets onto portals such as Facebook and their personal blogs. Additionally, users can explore the product featured, find a store or shop directly online where available.

The preview (beta) version of the platform and portable player launch with videos from the recent adidas Originals 60th anniversary house party campaign featuring David Beckham, Kevin Garnett, Russell Simmons, and Katy Perry. The NBA’s Dwight Howard showcases his pre-game locker room ritual and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard also makes an appearance aiming at clay pigeons. The platform will be integrated across all adidas key sports sites via video players and widgets. adidas.tv will be available internationally.

Originally posted on February 26, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

Johnston Press, Brightcove launch ad-supported online video network for regional newspapers

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Brightcove Inc. has entered into an agreement with UK’s Johnston Press, enabling them to incorporate advertising-supported video content across their 323 regional web properties. The deal is said to represent the next major phase in Johnston Press’ digital strategy to engage its online communities through rich media content and online video.

Over the past two years, Johnston Press has substantial investment in video equipment and training to enable every regional affiliate to produce and publish video content to accompany articles. The Brightcove platform will move this initiative forward significantly, allowing Johnston Press to easily ingest video content from all sources, including its readers. The Brightcove platform will also enable Johnston’s properties to distribute and share content more easily and allow for more flexibility and creativity in how they publish content, establish distribution policies, and target advertising.

Originally posted on February 28, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

Tremor Media raises $18 million in funding to speed up product development

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tremor-mediaTremor Media, the leading online video advertising network and technology provider, today announced it has closed an $18 million round of series C funding. The investment will enable the company to further build its premier video ad network and increase investments in advanced video technologies including Acudeo, the market-leading video ad monetization platform.

Meritech Capital Partners led the funding round along with participation from Tremor Media’s existing investors. Previous funding included investments from Canaan Partners, Masthead Venture Partners, and European Founders Fund. The series C round of funding follows Tremor Media’s third consecutive year of triple-digit revenue growth.

The additional capital will allow Tremor Media to accelerate product development, grow the Acudeo install base, and further expand the footprint of its video network. The company will also continue its international expansion under the leadership of Christian Baudis, former head of Google Germany who was hired in September 2008.

The company received $11 million in series B funding last year.

Originally posted on February 19, 2009 @ 12:21 pm

Jaman, Cinetic Rights partner to deliver award-winning films online

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Online destination for high-definition entertainment Jaman.com is partnering with Cinetic Rights Management.

This partnership expands Jaman’s catalogue to more than 7000 films, including Oscar-winning documentaries and contenders from the world’s premiere film festivals. Cinetic will also deliver hits premiered during film festivals in 2008

Most recently, Jaman acquired nearly 3,000 titles of E1 Entertainment’s most renowned feature films and documentaries, episodic series and American TV classics. Other current content providers include Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, BFI, Eros International, Magnolia Pictures, First Look Films, Arts Alliance America and BBC Worldwide America.

Originally posted on February 20, 2009 @ 7:00 am

One in five Internet users watch full TV programs online

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One in five (21%) Internet users ages 13 to 54 now accesses streaming video to watch full episodes of TV programs, up from 10% in 2006, according to a new report from Knowledge Networks.

Two-thirds (65%) of these “streamers” say they expect to be able to watch their favorite shows on “the device of my choice.”

How People Use TV’s Web Connections, from The Home Technology Monitor, is now in its third year, detailing consumers’ changing use of and attitudes toward television network content on the Internet. The report shows that, among 13-to-54 streamers of TV network content,

• Use of third-party hosting sites (such as Hulu) to access TV network video content has doubled since 2007, from 14% to 28%

• he networks’ own websites are still streamers’ most common source of network content, with the highest level being among those ages 18 to 34 (68%)

• 87% say they view full TV programs online so that they can “watch a current episode that I missed” and 18% say they are “trying out a new program”

• 30% have forwarded a link to network content to somebody they know and almost half (44%) say they have received a link to network content from a family member or friend

Originally posted on February 12, 2009 @ 1:51 pm