Category Archives: Communications

Disney-Fubo Merger Combines Sports and Entertainment

Communications, , , , , ,

Disney has announced a merger combining Hulu+ Live TV with Fubo, marking a significant change in the streaming industry. The agreement gives Disney a 70% ownership stake, while Fubo shareholders will maintain 30% of the consolidated entity.

The partnership brings together two established streaming services with different strengths. Hulu+ Live TV offers an extensive entertainment library, while Fubo has built its reputation on comprehensive sports coverage. Both services will continue to operate independently after the merger, allowing subscribers to maintain access to their current platforms while potentially benefiting from expanded content options from live sports and breaking news to acclaimed series and family entertainment.

The financial aspects of the deal include a $220 million cash payment from Disney to Fubo and a $145 million term loan. These investments are expected to make Fubo cash flow positive immediately. The agreement also resolves legal disputes between Fubu and Disney regarding Venu, the sports streaming service proposed by Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Fubo’s current management team will lead the combined organization, with Disney appointing the majority of the board of directors. This structure aims to preserve each company’s expertise while developing new opportunities for growth. The merger addresses both companies’ goals: Disney expands its digital presence, while Fubo gains additional resources and content access.

Subscribers can expect continued access to their preferred content, with potential additions to both services’ offerings over time. While specific pricing details haven’t been announced, the combined service aims to remain competitive in the growing streaming market.

MTV VMAs 2024: Shoppable Live TV Takes Center Stage

Artificial Intelligence, Communications, Lifestyle, Millenials, Technology, , , ,

The 2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) transformed the viewing experience with a growing  partnership between Paramount Global and Shopsense AI. This collaboration enabled real-time shopping of outfits and designer looks featured during the awards show, and marked a significant shift in content monetization for legacy media companies.

Shopsense’s AI-powered lens allowed viewers to snap photos of outfits during the show, browse similar items suggested by their product recognition algorithm, and make purchases directly from their phones. This seamless shopping experience was designed to enhance engagement and for users to “go through that shopping journey without pausing the content” according to Shopsense’s co-founder and president Bryan Quinn in an interview with CNBC.

In the age of streaming, as traditional TV advertising revenues decline, media companies like Paramount are looking for innovative solutions to boost profits. This new live shopping feature is expected to drive consumer engagement and conversion rates during high-profile events like the VMAs. As the AI continues to improve, it is predicted that this trend will proliferate with other media giants like Disney exploring similar shoppable ad formats.

Retailers including Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Urban Outfitters are leveraging this partnership to capture consumer interest at the moment they’re inspired by what they see on TV. The approach capitalizes on impulse buying, offering curated collections and lookalikes at various price points. As AI continues to transform the advertising and retail sectors, live shopping represents a growing trend that blends entertainment and commerce. This partnership could shape the future of shopping by turning live television into an interactive retail experience.

Peter Arnell Gives the Fontainebleau a New Look

Art, Communications, Economy, Lifestyle

Peter Arnell, a renowned brand consultant and designer, has played a crucial role in redefining the brand identity of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.  As the Chief Brand and Design Officer for Fontainebleau Development, Arnell was tasked with modernizing the hotel’s brand identity as it approached its 70th anniversary. His work led to the creation of a new logo for Fontainebleau, which was inspired by the marble bowtie motif from the Fontainebleau Miami Beach lobby. This new design element is now integrated across various customer experiences at the resort.

To unveil this updated brand identity, Arnell and his team conceptualized a special event that coincided with the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square. Collaborating with Countdown Entertainment, they developed an animation that incorporated the new Fontainebleau logo, which was showcased during the midnight countdown. This strategy aimed to introduce the refreshed brand identity to a global audience, linking it with the historic and iconic event of Times Square.

The event featured performances by Paul Anka and Post Malone, representing the hotel’s historical and contemporary cultural relevance. These performances were part of the broader effort to highlight the opening of Fontainebleau Las Vegas and the brand’s ongoing relevance. A special countdown after midnight focused on the Fontainebleau’s 70th anniversary, featuring the new brand identity animation on the Times Square ball, which will remain visible throughout the year.

Extra Protection for iPhone Users

Brands, Communications, iPhone, Technology

iPhone users know that sensitive information such as credit card numbers and stored passwords are kept safe behind a passcode. But what if a thief discovers the code?

In an effort to increase security, Apple is currently beta testing a new feature which will serve as an extra layer of protection for sensitive data that is stored on the iPhone.

The Stolen Device Protection feature aims to safeguard iPhone users by requiring biometric authentication, such as face scan or fingerprint, before granting access to data or allowing modifications to information within the device. That way, if the passcode is compromised, the thief will still not be able to steal passwords or credit card information.

In fact, if the iPhone user wishes to perform sensitive actions such as adding or removing biometric scanning or changing a password, they will be asked to scan their face/fingerprint, and then they must wait for one hour before rescanning. Only after the waiting period will they be allowed to proceed with the edits.  

A spokesperson for Apple told CNN, “As threats to user devices continue to evolve, we work tirelessly to develop powerful new protections for our users and their data…In the rare cases where a thief can observe the user entering the passcode and then steal the device, Stolen Device Protection adds a sophisticated new layer of protection.”

The Stolen Device Protection feature will be available for all iPhone users in the near future as part of a software update.

Inflight Connectivity Continues to Soar

Communications, Technology, , ,

The fact that much of the Western world spends too much time glaring at screens, surfing the net, and scrolling on social media apps is a topic that is often discussed. One of the few times that people used to be forced to unplug was while on board a flight. In recent years, however, connecting to an airline’s WiFi has become much more common, a service that used to be accessed primarily by busy businesspeople.

How does this advanced technology actually work?

There are two main types of inflight internet connectivity, one which uses antennas and the other that relies on satellites.

The first category is widely known as air-to-ground (ATG). Using this method, an antenna on the aircraft catches signals from cellphone towers on land. A major drawback is that the quality of the connection depends on the location of the aircraft at a given moment – for example, when flying over an ocean or a desert, service will drop as there is greater distance between the plane’s antennas and the cellphone towers. For this reason, many airlines are making the switch to satellite-based connections. Using satellites, the signal remains stronger no matter the location or movement of the aircraft.

While satellites resolve some of the major disadvantages of ATG, that system requires constant upkeep and advancements of the network. It is much simpler, faster, and cheaper to install new cellular towers than to launch a new satellite into space.

While the mere fact that such services exist is remarkable, there are a lot of improvements that need to happen in terms of expanding network service and speed. As with all technologies, it is likely just a matter of time till we see more impressive developments.