CBS Launches Online Streaming Service

That's right, you heard me. CBS is the first broadcast network to create a stand-alone streaming option for viewers.

It's been a good week for television fans. On Wednesday, HBO announced that their streaming service will be available to people without their pay-TV subscription starting 2015. On Thursday, CBS announced CBS All Access, a new streaming device for $5.99 a month that includes current and previous programming. That's right, kids. You no longer have an excuse to not watch The Good Wife.

“CBS All Access is another key step in the company’s long-standing strategy of monetizing our local and national content in the ways that viewers want it,” CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement. “This new subscription service will deliver the most of CBS to our biggest fans while being additive to the overall ecosystem. Across the board, we continue to capitalize on technological advances that help consumers engage with our world-class programming, and we look forward to serving our viewers in this new and exciting way.”

This is huge, because CBS is the largest broadcast network. The Big Bang Theory, one of CBS's programs, was the most watched television show of last season, and had more than 18 million tune in for the Season 8 premiere last month. CBS All Access will also include special programming, like the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. There will be ads for current programming, although commercials will run between 9-12 minutes, as opposed to the 12-16 minutes of advertisement on television. Another big plus is that previous programming, like Twin Peaks (which seriously all of you need to watch if you haven't already), will not have advertisements.

My only complaint is that CBS All Access will not include the NFL games. Hopefully they add those one day. Speaking of adding onto the service, CBS All Access will initially only be available in major cities, including New York City and Los Angeles, of course. The network, however, said it plans to expand.

Shooting for Sports

SPORTS! 

(Tim and Eric's Sports Song) 

We've all at one point in our lives have watched some sort of sporting event on television. Whether its the Olympics, a collegiate sporting event or even the pros we've all seen similar styles of how a sporting event is covered. But when you watch the event, do you ever notice how many different camera angles there are covering that event? Do you ever hear the differences in sound throughout the stadium and in commentator's booth? Heres what the mapping looked like for the FIFA 2014 soccer championship. 

 

Notice the strategic placement of the 26 cameras and microphones spread out throughout the soccer stadium. The majority of microphones are pointed at the field to capture the sounds of the game but there are also a few microphones pointed at the stands to capture the roar of the fans when their team scores a goal. The combination of these microphones give the viewers at home the sound needed to feel like they're at the game. In addition, cameras are also strategically placed throughout the stadium to give viewers at home all the angles of the game. Notice the cameras placed on the sidelines of the field to give viewers those wide angles to see the whole game and the close up shots of the players and coaches. Also note the cameras on cranes behind the goal posts that give viewers all sorts of different angles behind the goal post.  

Take a look at this highlight reel and see where each shot comes from and try and guess what microphone is capturing the sound.  

The Super Not So Secret Gathering of the Technologically Savvy: The National Association of Broadcasters' Convention

Recently, my dad invited me to go to the annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show in Las Vegas this April. Every year, the NAB (Not to be confused with the NBA), holds a convention dedicated to introducing new technology, techniques, and ideas related to the field of broadcast media.

 < < < <  National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)

National Basketball Association (NBA)   > > > >








Every year, over 100,000 industry professionals flock to Las Vegas to participate in the interactive exhibits, on-floor education sessions, and hundreds of product introductions. Apparently, the participation is so great that the size of the show floor is equivalent to that of 19 American football fields.

Here's the "sizzle reel" to get you pumped up about the convention:




Last year, attendees of the 2013 NAB Show got a behind the scenes look at the production of both "Oblivion (2013 film)" and "Oz the Great and Powerful." The Television Luncheon, hosted byNancy O'Dell, featured the induction of American Idol into the Television Hall of Fame with an appearance by Randy Jackson and a live performance by Chris Daughtry. Furthermore, there was a sneak peak presentation of Adobe's (then not yet released) Premiere Pro CS6 editing software and so much more.

The NAB convention not only was the first place to successfully hold a HDTV broadcast, it was also where the Red Digital Cinema Camera was first presented. Representatives from companies worldwide gather in Los Vegas to learn about the newest technologies. Some of the most famous companies with booths include:

Although from the photos below of the event, you can see that these are just a few of the hundreds of companies packed into the convention center. 

 The National Association of Broadcasters, or NAB, is an organization that acts as the voice of the nation's radio and television broadcasters. As the premier trade association for broadcasters, NAB advances the interests of members in the federal government; improves the quality and profitability of broadcasting; encourages content and technology innovation; and spotlights the important and unique ways stations serve their communities. They deal a lot with the law and work to inform policy makers of the primary issues affecting the radio and television broadcast business.

Gordon H. Smith is the current CEO of the NAB as well as a former Oregon Senator. I just want everyone to see how nice and handsome he looks in this picture.

Gordon H. Smith CEO of the NAB

All in all, I'm pretty excited to get a chance to take a look at all the latest industry gadgets as well as do my fair share of networking. I might even get myself a suit.