Interviews with Digital Media Thought Leaders

Internet Video to Televisions and Computers (Part 1 of 2)

Podcast Video | Posted by Phil Leigh on October 25, 2007

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If you would like to learn how to deliver video programming over the Internet directly to a viewer’s computer, mobile device, or (most importantly) television, this interview is for you.  (Part 1 of 2)

Our guest today is Chris Wagner who is the Executive Vice President for NeuLion, Inc.  His company provides Internet video delivery services to televisions, computers, or even mobile devices. NeuLion interests us for two primary reasons.
 
First, it enables programming that is already on CATV systems with geographic restrictions, to be made available to subscribers anywhere at their computers over the Internet.  A good example is the deal they struck with the NHL (National Hockey League).
 
Since I live in Tampa I can only watch the local NHL team at the arena, or in televised games. However, if I had moved here from Detroit, I may well be a lifelong Red Wings fan. In that case the NHL and NeuLion have an arrangement that may well interest me. It enables me to watch all Red Wings games live on my computer for a fee. In point of fact, I can watch any live out-of-market game the same way. Finally, I can watch NHL highlights on my computer at no charge, since the clips are advertising-supported. You can learn more at www.nhl.tv.
 
Second, NeuLion also permits niche programming to be delivered over the Internet directly to televisions. Two good examples are ethnic and faith-based programs. For example, U.S. residents with a Chinese or Indian cultural background may want native programming that is not carried on CATV channels here in the States.
 
For such viewers, NeuLion makes a box that attaches to the TV enabling it to display Internet video with the NeuLion DRMs.  Typically, the programmers purchase the box from NeuLion and resell it to the subscriber while also contracting with NeuLion to deliver the programming.
 
In Part 1 of this interview, we get a general overview and then focus on the NeuLion video delivery services to computers, with the NHL being the showcase example. 

Length: This video interview is covered in about 11 minutes.

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1 Comment so far
  1. Bruce November 3, 2007 11:19 am

    Amazing how broadcasting is evolving with new technology and how the ‘old broadcasting’ is being replaced by the new technology as mentioned in the video. Certainly gives new start up companies low cost ways to start broadcasting to a wide audience, all round the world in fact.
    NeuLion seem to forging ahead with all the media platforms they are covering. An interesting video.