Sales of televisions linking to the Internet may be a hard sell to consumers, but that’s not
stopping myriad technology firms and content providers from launching applications designed to bridge the divide between Hollywood and the Web.
Global Takeoff Inc. April 11 at the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegaas bowed YCast.TV, an over-the-top service that allows content owners to stream and monetize live TV and VOD content to TVs, PCs, smartphones and tablet computers.
YCast.TV enables content owners and aggregators to acquire the source signal, encode it and stream video securely to Internet-enabled devices, including desktop and laptop PCs (Windows, Macintosh), Web-based set-top boxes (Roku, Boxee), smartphones (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Symbian, Windows), Internet-enabled tablets (iPad, Android), gaming consoles through an application (XBOX, PS3, Wii), iPod/iPod Touch and connected TV (Samsung).
Uday Reddy, CEO of Global Takeoff, said the software allows content owners to avoid complicated tech issues and begin monetizing repurposed and live content through the Web.
“Local TV stations can immediately expand the reach of their daily news shows, sports events and entertainment content beyond regional boundaries,” Reddy said in a statement. “YCast.TV also gives movie producers the ability to increase sales and reduce piracy by distributing films online the same day the show premieres.”
Jim Funk, VP of business development with media player manufacturer Roku Inc. (and Home Media Magazine digital driver), said inclusion of the YCast software has been a major driver among its base of more than 1 million owners.
“Customers are increasingly using Roku to access live regional and ethnic programming that they connect with wherever they live,” Funk said.