Broadband Content Bits: Nat Geo; Comcast, Verizon; MySpace-Entertainment Studios; MSN-Mediaset
This story was written by Amanda Natividad.
-- National Geographic Channel to unveil redesigned site: National Geographic Channel will officially launch its revamped web site today, featuring over 800 hours of video, 2,000 photos from its shows and an interactive TV scheduling tool that allows users customize their viewing schedule by navigating air dates, show descriptions and video links. Since its soft launch on April 14, the pages-per-person count has risen from 6 to 9 and the average time spent increased from 7.5 minutes to 10 minutes.
-- Comcast and Verizon offering ultra-high-speed services: Comcast (NSDQ: CMCSA) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) have both started offering ultra-high-bandwidth services giving customers download speeds up to 25 times faster than today's average of 4.8 Mbps. Verizon's FiOS service uses an optical fiber network, having a had a yearlong start on Comcast's service, and is available in parts of 17 states. It plans on offering its fiber-to-the-home service to over 18 million people by 2010. Comcast, on the other hand, uses cable modem technology and plans to expand its services in 20 percent of the are it serves by the end of the year, as well as offer speeds over 100 Mbps within two years.
-- MySpace to house Entertainment Studios channel: MySpace will feature ten branded channels from Entertainment Studios, marking the independent producer and distributor's first step in launching a digital initiative. The original content from TV shows including Entertainers with Byron Allen, Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, Beautiful Homes & Great Estates, The American Athlete and more will be updated weekly and users will be able to friend each channel to receive regular updates.
-- Mediaset teams up with MSN to stream TV clips online: MSN will begin streaming TV clips from Italian broadcaster Mediaset, Variety reports. On video.msn.com, users will be able to view and share clips from Canale 5, Italia 1 and Rete4 via Windows Live Messenger.
By Amanda Natividad