Apple expands live US F1 race reach with IMAX. New UK data shows YouTube’s role in TV content discovery as Stephen Colbert taps YouTube, avoiding FCC oversight. And NextGen TV struggles.
Apple expands US live F1 race distribution with IMAX, DirecTV (1:30)
Apple will make a handful of F1 races available at 50 IMAX locations across the US during the upcoming season. For DirecTV customers who subscribed to Apple TV through the satellite service, they will be able to watch all the races integrated with the DirecTV experience. They will not need to launch the Apple TV app.
New Barb data shows how YouTube is functioning as a TV guide (7:00)
According to the UK’s Barb, more than half of YouTube’s UK audience watches via a TV set. As quoted in Variety, Barb also observed YouTube’s role in content discovery:
“YouTube is also the fourth most-viewed navigation platform making it, in Barb’s view, as much of a “gateway to content” as EPGs on traditional cable and satellite platforms.”
Stephen Colbert leverages YouTube to avoid FCC scrutiny (14:50)
Stephen Colbert was prevented by CBS lawyers from broadcasting an interview with Texas State Senate candidate James Talarico. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is threatening to revoke chat shows’ exemption from the equal time requirement for political candidates. To avoid the FCC’s scrutiny, Colbert posted the interview on YouTube, attracting a far larger audience than it would likely have received as part of his regular show.
NextGen TV faces challenges getting TV OEMs to support it (19:30)
The NAB continues to urge the FCC to take a stronger role in the transition from ATSC 1.0 to NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). It is recommending the FCC mandate that all TVs sold in the US include a NextGen TV tuner. However, this is problematic. Some technology providers that contributed to the NextGen TV specification are demanding unreasonable payments from television manufacturers that include the technology. This has caused some manufacturers to stop making TVs that include the technology.
WBD allows Paramount to make a last and final offer (26:00)
Warner Bros. Discovery decided to allow Paramount-Skydance one more opportunity to submit a final bid for its business.
