Streaming music and TV services are popping up like mushrooms. Recent announcements include:
In music:
- Rhapsody: launching in Germany and the UK.
- HTC: reportedly looking at launching its own service, may buy MOG.
- Rdio: distribution agreement with Facebook.
- Pandora: distribution agreement with DirecTV in the US.
- Spotify: launched in Germany, its 13th market.
- Simfy: raised money from investors for international expansion.
In video/TV:
- YouTube: steadily increasing the number of channels.
- Verizon: announced plans to work with Redbox on a streaming service.
- Netflix: reportedly in talks for distribution by cable operators in the US. Agreed similar deal with Sony for access via the PS Vita in the US.
- Lovefilm (Amazon): content deals with the BBC and Disney, among others, for Germany and the UK.
- Pathe: launched a 'double play' including Pathe Thuis (streaming) and cinema tickets.
- Amazon: content deals with producers such as Fox and Viacom.
- RTL Germany: launched Clipfish Music on its HbbTV portal.
- Intel: rumoured to be working on its own OTT TV service.
In hardware:
- Apple launched a new version (the third) of the Apple TV media player.
- Persistent rumours suggest Apple is working on its own TV, which should reach the market by end-2012.
- Roku is working on raising cash in order to sell its media player in more countries.
The pattern is clear: new players are constantly entering the market, content and distribution deals are being agreed and expansion to new countries continues. What's remarkable is the large number of players. Consumers are spoiled for choice and can more and more choose on which device they want to listen to or watch content. A shake-out seems unavoidable. It's not just about music and VoD, but also broadcast TV, where broadcasters are increasingly embracing the HbbTV standard in order to expand their offerings on more hardware. With this they will soon overtake the traditional operators offering cable, IPTV and DTT.
