CES: Second-Screen Use Everywhere

10 Jan, 2014 By: Chris Tribbey

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LAS VEGAS — Nearly 80% of consumers are accessing a second device while watching TV programming, and nearly all of those second-screen viewers are accessing content related to programming before or after a show, or between episodes and seasons, according to a study discussed at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The study, released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE), found only 42% of second-screen users have tried synchronizing their content experience to live TV, with only 13% of respondents saying such an experience makes their viewing experience “much more enjoyable.” 

More than half of those accessing synchronous second-screen content do so during commercial breaks.

“This important research study underscores the exciting opportunities for consumer technology device manufacturers to market connected devices and potentially collaborate with content producers to enhance and improve the Second-Screen experience,” said CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro. “Our joint study shows that consumers accessing synchronized content generally find it fun to use and more connected to the shows they are watching. At the same time, the study indicates there is an opportunity to expand consumer engagement with the Second Screen across a broader variety of programming.”

Millennials (ages 13-34) are the ones most likely to access second-screen content. More than six of 10 respondents said they feel accessing second-screen content is a fun experience.

“We know TV viewers are beginning to use the second screen because it has the potential to extend enjoyment of the viewing experience,” said NATPE president and CEO Rod Perth. “We believe this research study will illuminate new entertainment possibilities for consumers as well as content creators.”

In other CES news:

Cisco

Cisco announced it has expanded its Videoscape TV platform to the cloud, offering open cloud software technologies to help service providers and media companies “the ability to capitalize on the Internet of Everything (IoE),” the company said.

Cisco says companies will be able to use Videoscape’s cloud capabilities to deliver second screen and 4K video, and more customization and personalization for content delivered across multiple devices.

“Videoscape leads the industry as a platform for delivering exciting video services and experiences,” said Joe Cozzolino, SVP and GM of service provider video infrastructure for Cisco. “With these new Videoscape cloud capabilities, our customers have two additional ways to deploy Videoscape, meaning they can get new services to market faster than ever before.

“Plus our unique Cisco Fusion strategy allows customers to mix-and-match deployment options to best grow revenue and reduce their overall costs to roll out video services, including exciting second screen, 4K video and IoE based connected life services.”

Among those that will use Cisco’s Videoscape cloud solution is NBC, which will stream live and cloud-enabled VOD content during its coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

“Cisco is a trusted partner who we have marked many milestones with, collaborating on IP video contribution and multiscreen delivery, and now cloud-based infrastructure,” said Craig Lau, VP of information technology for NBC Olympics. “We are excited about the benefits and options cloud-powered video services bring us, including added agility, portability, flexibility and scalability of our networks, to meet the demands, with much less engineering and prep time.”

Kogan

Little-known consumer electronics company Kogan wasn’t letting its lack of brand recognition get in the way of being part of the CES Ultra-HD push.

The Australian-based online electronics retailer announced it would debut a 55-inch 4K Ultra-HD (UHD) TV for less than $1,000, with availability later this January. The company points to the high cost of UHD as a barrier to consumer adoption.

The Kogan TV will be powered by Android 4.2 with Google Play content access and includes an Ethernet port, a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port and a microSD card slot.

“There’s a lot of really exciting innovation here at CES and we want to thank the entire technology industry  for helping to make the world a better place," said Ruslan Kogan, founder and CEO of Kogan.com. “However, CES shouldn’t be just about technology that the average person will never see or could never afford. We want to make the latest technology more affordable for everyone, which is why we’ve designed a 55-inch Ultra-HD Smart LED TV for under $1,000.

“The real innovation here is the price. Generally it’s Australians who look at prices of technology overseas with envy. For once, it’s now the rest of the world looking to Australia, wondering when this Kogan TV will be available in their country. Stay tuned."

Global Eagle Entertainment

For all the talk at CES of content in the virtual cloud, there was another company talking about content in the real clouds.

Los Angeles-based Global Eagle Entertainment, which provides satellite-based in-flight Wi-Fi and device-based entertainment for airlines, inked a deal with Southwest Airlines in December that brought gate-to-gate texting for consumers on more than 430 planes, as well as Wi-Fi accessible below 10,000 feet.

John Guidon, CTO of Global Eagle, said his company now offers close to 20 free channels of in-flight entertainment (sponsored by DISH Network) and more than 130 movies at $4.99 each. Next up is the inclusion of games for fliers.

“Watch this space for entertainment in the coming months,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”

The company also announced it’s signed a deal with Russia’s UTair Aviation, to expand in-flight content access to 60 aircraft, bringing that airline’s total to 69 that have Global Eagle’s satellite connectivity solution. 

“UTair is an innovative airline aggressively building significant traffic in Russia, Central Asia, and Europe and we are honored to be a part of that international growth,” said John LaValle, CEO of Global Eagle Entertainment. “As a global provider, these markets represent key growth areas for our company as we capitalize on our Ku-band satellite technology and industry-leading media content resources.”

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