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March 12, 2012

Intel to Launch its Own Streaming Video Service?

By Gary Kim, Contributing Editor

Intel (News - Alert) Corp. is developing an Internet-based TV service that it hopes to sell to U.S. consumers, a strategic shift for the chip maker that makes it the latest technology company to look at a foray in the pay-TV business, according to the Wall Street Journal.



Intel's interest in doing so is one more example of a firm deciding it wants to "move up the stack" in terms of end user value. Instead of supplying components to other retailers, Intel would vault up to become a service provider itself. 

The move would not be out of character, in a sense. Intel has for some time believed it must gain a bigger foothold in the video entertainment business. In 2005, for example, Intel invested in Revelations Entertainment, a venture aimed at distributing movies over the Internet on the same day they open in movie theaters.

Of course, Intel invests in lots of start-ups. But it seems to view video entertainment as a business with potential. Intel also recently invested in StreamPlanet, a company that provides a technology platform for video content owners and distributors to stream and monetize their content, for example. 

Intel Capital’s (News - Alert) Digital has invested in a number of firms to drive its "SmartTV initiative." Intel hopes to create an ecosystem that includes home networking silicon, platform software, connected devices, and services. 

Intel is particularly interested in TV platforms operating systems, TV apps, social TV, and various video and content services including gaming, advertising, and audience measurement. 

The company’s recent investments include BlackArrow, Digital Chocolate, Exent Technologies, iControl Networks (News - Alert), Kabam, Kaltura, Transgaming, UIEvolution, Videon Central, Verismo Networks, and YuMe, for example. 




Edited by Carrie Schmelkin
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