MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN TELEVISION

Original post by Marie-Eunice M. Alarcon

A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IS A NEW SERVICE THAT WILL PROVIDE ONLINE DOWNLOADABLE TV SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA.

This new service could have far reaching implications for television everywhere. If you can get better TV service and features on your computer, why do we need stand-alone TV's anymore, unless they are Internet capable. See the Press Release below:


Media Release
Date: Thursday 8 July 2010

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AUSTAR partners with online video platform provider Switch Media to launch Australia’s first streaming and downloadable on demand TV service.
The AUSTAR AnyWhereTM service is a first in the Asia Pacific region that lets viewers stream and download TV programs on Mac and PC.
Technical Director for Switch Media Luke Durham says this is possible because of the type Digital Rights Management (DRM) chosen.
The use of DRM means that online broadcasters have controlling rights over the content permissions given to different levels of subscribers.
Luke Durham says: “The challenge was bringing together leading edge capabilities like Adobe Flash Access 2.0 DRM, protected streaming and download access into a single you beaut service.”
He says Switch Media has also been able to provide a cost effective and reliable distribution network to AUSTAR’s regional subscriber base.
Switch Media Chief Executive, Christopher Stenhouse says: “We are on an evolutionary path, going from leaning forward to watch online videos to a lean-back on demand internet TV experience.”
AUSTAR Chief Executive Officer, John Porter, said, “AUSTAR AnyWhereTM is the next step in making the best entertainment available to our customers whenever and however they want it. It will give our subscribers complete flexibility and control over when they view their favourite shows, as long as they have an internet connection on their PC. A key feature of AUSTAR AnyWhereTM is that it will offer the ability to both stream and download content, meaning customers can either watch the video straight away online, or download it to their PC watch later.”
The online TV portal is available only on the AUSTAR AnyWhereTM service at www.austar.com.au/onlinetv.
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