How does net neutrality affect online streaming?

Net neutrality: by now, you’ve probably heard the phrase many times. Two months ago, popular websites such as Reddit, Kickstarter, Tumblr and Etsy took part in a “Day of Action”, where they showcased the debate prominently on their sites. The aim was to drive visitors to contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Congress and the White House.

But what exactly is net neutrality? How does it affect you, the consumer? Don’t be afraid of the abstract-sounding term: it’s actually rather easy to understand! Check out the following one-minute video from Mashable, or take a look at the beautiful infographic after the cut.

Continue reading

Will Netflix dominate the movie industry as well?

5

After acquiring right to popular Chinese movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, does Netflix want to dominate the movie industry as well?

Ronak Hegde

Netflix is one of the rare companies who have not only managed to renew their business propositions but also reinvent themselves from time and again. It is remarkable to see a DVD-Mail-Delivery start-up achieve such economies of scales from constantly evolving and adapting to the changing times. Continue reading

The Evolution of TV Advertising, from Offline to Online

by Norah Ababatain

Untitled

The very first TV ad appeared in 1941 during a baseball game on a local New York channel. The 10-second ad cost a four dollars and completely revolutionized television! It was an ad for a luxury watch company called Bulova. Due to the great success of the Bulova advertisement, other companies began to realize that they needed to jump on board with their marketing and started creating TV ads as well. By 1948, many additional advertisers were using television spots to reach the large audience on television.

Continue reading

The MUST-WATCH shows of the season

Good news my dear TV-lovers. With all those new shows out there, I know you might feel a bit lost, a bit overwhelmed and just a tiny bit tempted to throw your homework out the window, call in sick at work, or worse – decline your friends’ calls so you have enough time to check out every. single. new. premiere.

Anti-social much?

I sympathize. How, oh how, are we supposed to see EVERYTHING? I mean, we need to sleep at some point, right?

Well, we can’t see everything. But together, we can easily narrow down what’s worth our time and what… isn’t. So let’s not waste any more time! Read ahead for some special insider analysis.  A warm thank you to this week’s contributor, Katharina Kandt, for providing AntennaFree with her perspective on which shows deserve a chance. 

Ready? Here are Katharina’s top 3 MUST-WATCH shows of this fall season:

Procrastination is on… again! Instead of studying, I’ll admit that I spent my whole weekend devoted to watching this fall’s TV shows for you guys. So here we go with three shows you must switch on. Right now. Trust me, I’ve seen them all!

HTGAWM_3

1. How To Get Away With Murder

The first must-watch is the most highly anticipated ABC fall TV thriller, “How To Get Away With Murder.” Created by Peter Nowalk and produced by Shonda Rhimes (also the producer of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal). The show is aired on Thursday’s just after Scandal, at 10:00 p.m.

Absurd, jaw-dropping and stylish, HTGAWM does not disappoint. Without being as cautious as “The Good Wife,” it will instantly suck you in with Viola Davis owning the show, supported by an equally promising cast and a crazy, but great, storyline.

HTGAWM_2

Continue reading

To cancel or not to cancel?

by Gabrielle de Mijolla

ABC’s Manhattan Love Story, cancelled after four whole episodes had aired.

Lately everyone has been wondering why no new shows have been cancelled so far for the fall 2014/2015 TV season. Various theories have been aired. Some believe that the reason why a lot of networks have been clinging on to tanking new shows is that there is a lack of confidence in mid-season replacement shows. In other words, some of the other shows in store might just be worse than those that have already premiered.

Another theory posited is that some of the shows that are bombing are bombing in one-hour blocks, making it more difficult to cancel one show without cancelling the second one. For instance, ABC’s Manhattan Love Story, which has received a lot of backlash, airs just before the equally unpopular Selfie.

By far the most widely accepted reason for this absence of cancelling is the role DVR plays in shaping networks’ decisions. DVR numbers can take a few weeks to come in which explains why networks are taking longer to evaluate their shows. While delayed viewing is something to take into consideration, it also seems like some networks are using it as an excuse to postpone the cancellation of shows that are clearly of substandard quality.

Take a look at our gallery of shows that are likely to be cancelled below.

Continue reading