Offering provides smaller bundles, greater customization than cable

Announced at the AllThingsDigital Dive Into Media conference today, Intel plans to launch its long-rumored online television service this year that not only provides content-on-demand like most services, but also streams live television. According to Erik Huggers, the vice president and general manager of Intel Media, the company is currently negotiating deals with content providers.

"We have been working for (the past) year to set up Intel Media, a new group focused on developing an Internet platform," said Huggers. "It's not a value play, it's a quality play where we'll create a superior experience for the end user." Intel and Apple have both dealt with licensing issues from major media content providers.

Intel is not planning its own branded television sets at this time -- the new service is built around a set top box and will not be a la carte but will still offer smaller bundles than currently offered by cable operators. "There is an opportunity to offer a bundle that can be curated by the consumer, an opportunity to create smarter bundles," Huggers said. Additionally, the box will have a camera intended for gesture-based control and direct ads towards specific users based on what the camera "sees" in the room.

Huggers' previous venture was at the BBC where he launched the successful iPlayer service in use in the UK and now globally as an iOS app. Regarding the US venture, Huggers said "the model we envision is a model where live television and catch-up television live in the same paradigm." No timetable for launch or pricing has been discussed.

By Electronista Staff

Post tools:

TAGS :  

Intel, Investor, industry, Television