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Tag: Television

  • The Walking Dead Season 3 Gets StorySync For “Two Screen” Experience

    AMC announced today that it is bringing back StorySync for The Walking Dead Season 3. StorySync is an interactive experience that lets fans participate during the premiere airing of each new episode. You can go to the web destination and answer polls and trivia questions, re-watch select video clips, rank kills on the “gore guage,” etc.

    As AMC says, it turns the show into a “two screen experience.”

    For the first episode of the new season, StorySync will run for both the original airing at 9/8c, and again for the encore showing at 10/9c. Only this week, will the encore be an option, however.

    AMC notes that you need to have javascript enabled on your browser, your browser needs to be up to date (it won’t work with IE 6 or 7), you need a strong Internet connection, and your computer click needs to be set to the correct time zone.

    You can use Storysync with your computer, your smartphone or your tablet. You can get a feel for what to expect by looking back at StorySync for Season 2 here.

  • Here’s How To Star In The Next Walking Dead Game

    The wait is just about over. The Walking Dead Season 3 begins this Sunday (if you have Dish Network, you can still watch it via online stream).

    AMC has now announced a sweepstakes that gives fans a chance to win the Hyundai Tucson featured in the show or a chance to be in Activision’s upcoming The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct video game.

    To enter, you need to tune into the premiere broadcast of the show each Sunday night, watch for the three code words during the commercial breaks, and submit them at the website. They’ll choose a new winner each week to be a character in the game.

    You must enter the correct codes every week for a chance to win the Hyundai Tucson. More details on the sweepstakes here.

    Now, as you get ready for the new season, be sure to check out the new webisodes and/or revisit the last season on Netflix (there’s also a marathon on AMC this weekend).

    More The Walking Dead fun here.

  • Only 3% Exclusively Live-Streamed the Presidential Debate

    Only 3% Exclusively Live-Streamed the Presidential Debate

    Despite the fact that the first Presidential debate was available to be streamed live, for free, on YouTube (and other outlets), only a small fraction of American chose to watch the contest live on their computer or mobile device.

    Out of those surveyed in a recent Pew Research poll, 56% said that they watched the first debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney live. Out of those live viewers, only 3% watched it via the internet exclusively – but 11% of those surveyed said that they spread their viewing across television and online at the same time, making them the coveted “dual-screener” group that online sites and social media outlets like to tout.

    The point is, television still rules. 85% said that they watched the debates live on their TVs exclusively.

    Unsurprisingly, the numbers change when you look at different age groups. Young people were much more likely to use the internet to watch the debate. Among respondents aged 18-39, 10% streamed the debate online exclusively, and 22% identified as dual-screeners. On the flip side, those aged 65 and older watched that debate on television at a rate of 98%.

    Of course, watching the debate isn’t the only way to interact. Posting about it on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is also a big part of any national community event like a Presidential debate. Here’s what Pew has to say about that:

    “Only about a third of those who followed the debate in real time online – representing 5% of the overall debate audience– say they shared their own reactions to the debate online. This includes 8% of live debate watchers younger than 40 and 5% of those 40-to-65. No real-time debate watchers 65 and older reported sharing their reactions online while the debate was going.”

    When it comes to getting news about the debates (not watching them live), television still ruled (70% of the respondents). Online news grabbed 29% of people’s attention and social media sites attracted 22% of them. Over half of those surveyed under 40 got at least some debate news from and online/social media source.

    Despite this, YouTube says that the live stream of the first Presidential debate was one of their biggest live-streamed events ever. Do you go online for you live political events, or do you stick to the tube?

  • The Walking Dead Season 3 Webisodes Come To iPhone, iPad And Android

    Last week, AMC released four new webisodes for the The Walking Dead to whet the appetites of fans waiting for Season 3 to begin. The web series is called “Cold Storage”.

    AMC announced today that the webisodes are now available on the iPhone, iPad and Android devices (including the Kindle Fire). They can be accessed via the AMC Mobile app.

    The series was produced and directed by FX whiz Greg Nicotero, who also works on the actual show. If you don’t feel like going and downloading the app, feel free to watch the webisodes right here:

    Webisode 1: Hide And Seek

    Webisode 2: Keys To The Kingdom

    Webisode 3: The Chosen Ones

    Webisode 4: Parting Shots

    More The Walking Dead fun here.

  • Dish Network Avoids Losing Gannett Channels

    While terms were not disclosed, Dish Network and Gannett were able to reach an agreement to keep Dish from losing Gannett channels, including ABC, CBS and NBC-affiliated stations in 19 cities. The two companies had a deal in place that expired at midnight on Sunday, but the two were able to reach an agreement on Monday.

    Dish Network issued the following statement regarding the situation: “We can confirm that DISH Network and Gannett have reached a long-term agreement regarding DISH Network’s continued retransmission of Gannett’s Stations.”

    Gannett issues a similar statement, simply saying, “Gannett and DISH Network have reached an agreement regarding DISH Network’s continued retransmission of Gannett stations.”

    The Wall Street Journal reports:

    While TV networks and distributors frequently bicker over affiliate fees, the negotiations between Gannett and Dish were complicated by Auto Hop, a feature that Dish introduced in May on its latest digital video recorder. The feature, which makes it easier for Dish subscribers to skip commercials, has sparked protest from broadcasters worried that the service will make their content less valuable to advertisers.

    Gannett said it had sought a “fair, market-based deal” with increased rates to help offset lost advertising revenue because of Auto Hop. Dish, meanwhile, said Gannett had asked for a 300% rate increase, even though its own offer was “more than 200% above current rates,” and in line with its “closest direct competitor.”

    Losing Gannett channels could have been devastating for Dish Network, who has already upset a number of subscribers by losing AMC, which airs such popular shows as Breaking Bad, Mad Men and The Walking Dead, which is getting ready to begin its highly anticipated third season.

    AMC, meanwhile, is taking every chance it can to remind fans that Dish does not carry AMC, suggesting that they change providers ahead of the upcoming Walking Dead season. AMC is even going so far as to offer the first episode of the season for free in an online stream for Dish Network customers.

  • Google TV Is Finally Getting Google Play Movies, TV Shows And Music

    Google announced today that Google Play Movies, TV shows, and Music are rolling out to Google TV over the course of the coming weeks.

    Users will be able to buy or rent content directly through the Google Play Store on Google TV devices, and purchases users have made on other devices will be automatically available through Google TV.

    “Google Play titles will also be discoverable through our TV & Movies app, which brings recommendations for shows and movies available on live TV and apps like Netflix, Amazon, and now Google Play,” says Google TV Product Manager Ambarish Kenghe.

    “For developers, this update also enables many other Google Play features including auto-updates, subscription billing, and smart app updates,” Kenghe notes. “Google Play gives you one place to find, enjoy and share your favorite entertainment with millions of songs and thousands of movies and TV shows for sale, and adds to the millions of entertainment options available for you on Google TV through YouTube, TV & Movies, Search and the full web through Chrome.”

    Kevin Bacon will be ecstatic.

  • The Walking Dead Series 2 Action Figures Are Coming This Month

    A new series of The Walking Dead action figures is about to be released from McFarlane toys. The toy maker has teamed up with AMC to create the latest series, which includes main characters Shane and Rick, as well as zombies from the first two seasons of the hit show.

    “Like the first series, humans include multiple interchangeable accessories and several points of articulation for limitless possibility and customization. Each zombie figure features unique, gory play action,” AMC notes in a blog post.

    Figures to be available include (images from Amazon):

    Shane Walsh

    (image)

    Deputy Rick Grimes

    (image)

    Bicycle Girl Zombie

    (image)

    Well Zombie

    (image)

    RV Zombie

    (image)

    There is also a black and white zombie 3-pack, according to AMC.

    The figures can be found at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Clarktoys.com, FYE, GameStop, Hastings, Toys ‘R’ Us, and Toys ‘R’ Us Canada. They’re currently available for pre-order.

    The third season of the show begins on Sunday.

    More The Walking Dead fun here.

  • Starz Announces Starz Play And Encore Play Online Services

    Starz Entertainment announced the launch of Starz Play and Encore Play, new online services for the premium movie (and original content) channels. The announcement comes with a partnership from Cox Communications, which will be the first provider to offer the service.

    The services are offered free of charge to subscribers of the TV versions of the channels. The online coutnerparts offer unlimited streaming access to various movies and original programming.

    Mobile apps are now available for iOS devices. The Android apps are coming soon, Starz says. There are also web versions of the services at StarzPlay.com and EncorePlay.com.

    “We are very pleased to partner with Cox in launching the Starz Play and Encore Play suite of authenticated online products that we believe will bring tremendous value to our premium subscribers,” said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. “Starz and Encore have long been pioneers in the deployment of advanced services, being the first premium networks to offer authenticated access to our programing through distributors’ online platforms. Now, from big screens to mobile devices, a deep collection of movies and original programming from Starz and Encore provides a winning combination for both our distributors and customers.”

    The new online experiences are available to Cox customers in the U.S. starting today. Starz does expect to launch Movieplex and Movieplex Play with Cox and to announce additional launch agreements with its distribution partners in the future.

    According to Starz, Starz and Encore are the most popular pair of flagship premium services in the U.S. with 54.9 million combined subscriptions.

  • YouTube Adds To Its Original Programming

    YouTube has launched a bunch more of its original channels, extending to content from France, Germany, the UK, and more from the US.

    YouTube first announced the set of original channels about a year ago, starting with about 100 of them. A lot has happened since then, the company says. Its top 25 original channels are now averaging over a million views a week. 800 million users are watching 4 billion hours every month, YouTube says, adding that this is up from 3 billion hours earlier this year. The number of people subscribing has doubled year-over-year, and partners are reaching the 100k subscriber mark five times faster than they were two years ago, according to the company.

    “From local cuisine, health and wellness and parenting to sports, music, comedy, animation and news, this new lineup of original channels will have something for everyone,” says YouTube head of global content, Robert Kyncl. “They are backed by some of the biggest producers, well-known celebrities and emerging media companies from Europe and the U.S.”

    YouTube has a directory of the local channels here. There are six listings in automotive, ten in Beauty, 14 in Comedy, two in Dance, forty-one in entertainment, three in Film & Animation, twelve in Food, two in Gaming, twelve in Health, five in Hispanic, three in Home & Garden, one in How-To, twelve in Music, six in News, two in Pets & Animals, fourteen in Science & Technology, seventeen in Sports, three in Urban and four in Women’s Interests.

    Last week, AOL announced the launch of 22 new YouTube channels of its own. These are not included in YouTube’s “original channels” line-up.

  • The Walking Dead Season 3: AMC Just Uploaded This Trailer To YouTube

    AMC uploaded a new trailer for the upcoming third season of the hit zombie show The Walking Dead today to its YouTube channel. It’s a full minute – about twice as long as the last one they posted, though it contains some of the same footage.

    The season starts October 14. AMC is streaming the first episode online for free for Dish Network customers, who no longer get the channel. The channel is showing a two-day marathon this weekend, to get viewers ready for the coming season. Additionally, Netflix added Season 2 to its streaming offering this past Sunday.

    Here are a few more Season 3 videos AMC has posted so far:

    Don’t forget to check out the new webisodes AMC has released.

  • The Walking Dead Season 3: Watch These New Webisodes

    The Walking Dead Season 3 premiere is not too far away, but now you don’t even have to wait until the October 14 air date to see some new Walking Dead. Today, AMC released 4 new webisodes to get fans ready for the new season.

    The web series, titled “Cold Storage,” was developed, produced and directed by FX guru Greg Nicotero, who also works on the actual show. Here’s the description from AMC:

    “Cold Storage” tells the story of a young man, Chase (played by Josh Stewart), trying to reach his sister in the early days of the zombie apocalypse. He finds temporary shelter in a storage facility run by a former employee named BJ (played Daniel Roebuck); however, things are not what they appear.

    In addition to Stewart (The Dark Knight Rises) and Roebuck (Lost), the cast of “Cold Storage” includes Cerina Vincent (Cabin Fever) as Kelly and Chris Nelson (Kill Bill) as Harris.

    Webisode 1: Hide And Seek

    Webisode 2: Keys To The Kingdom

    Webisode 3: The Chosen Ones

    Webisode 4: Parting Shots

    While The Walking Dead Season 3 starts October 14, Dish Network customers won’t get the show. However AMC is streaming it online for them for free.

    Season 2 just came to Netflix.

    More The Walking Dead fun here.

  • The Walking Dead Season 2 Is Now On Netflix

    People have been waiting the better part of a year for Netflix to add the second season of the hit AMC zombie show The Walking Dead to its streaming library. On Sunday, those people saw their wish granted.

    Netflix announced the addition on Facebook:

    (image)

    Netflix2 days ago

    Just a little reminder for Sunday…

    Powered by socialditto(image)  1,000+ likes ·  777 comments

    (image)

    Netflix18 hours ago

    The Sheriff is back in town. Now streaming The Walking Dead Season 2! http://bit.ly/WlkngDeadS2

    Powered by socialditto(image)  1,000+ likes ·  525 comments

    Showing just how big this is for Netflix, the company also updated its Facebook Timeline cover photo to the following:

    (image)

    Netflix18 hours ago

    Powered by socialditto(image)  1,000+ likes ·  80 comments

    The third season of the show starts on AMC on October 14. Though Dish Network is not carrying AMC, the first episode of the season is being offered to Dish Network customers in a free online stream.

    More The Walking Dead fun here.

  • Dish Network Customers Can Watch The Walking Dead Season 3 Premiere Online For Free

    AMC announced today that it will offer Dish Network customers the first episode of the upcoming The Walking Dead Season 3 in a free live stream.

    “In response to DISH taking away its customers’ favorite scripted drama series on basic cable — The Walking Dead — AMC is offering all DISH subscribers a special live stream of the hit show’s season three premiere episode on Sun., Oct. 14, at 9PM ET/6PM PT on AMCtv.com,” AMC said in a blog post. “This streaming event will run concurrently with the television debut so DISH subscribers who are fans of the series can experience this highly-anticipated premiere at the same time it’s available to all other cable and satellite subscribers.”

    “To gain leverage in an unrelated lawsuit, DISH has decided to deny their customers access to AMC shows including The Walking Dead, the series that has shattered basic cable ratings records,” AMC said in a statement. “Although The Walking Dead is the #1 basic cable scripted drama for DISH customers, DISH has stated it has no plans to bring back AMC. DISH customers who want to watch the entire season at the same time as the rest of the country should switch television providers now…time is running out.”

    Unfortunately, some Dish customers are locked into contracts, and it’s not that easy. People may be fans of the show, but don’t necessarily want to pay the large fee to opt out of the contract early.

    Dish customers can currently sign up for access to the stream here.

    AMC continues to run ads about Dish not carrying its network throughout its site.

    In other Dish news, the company has announced that it will be bringing satellite broadband to customers on October 1. More on that here.

  • AMC Gives Fans The Walking Dead Season 3 Facebook Timeline Covers

    AMC has released some new downloads for fans of The Walking Dead. In a blog post, the network points to a page with some new Facebook Timeline covers, instant message icons and wallpapers. You can find any and all of them here.

    Here’s what the Facebook Timeline cover photos look like:

    Walking Dead Timeline Cover

    Walking Dead Timeline cover

    Walking Dead Facebook Timeline Cover

    Walking Dead Timeline 4

    That last one is from the Facebook game that AMC launched last month.

    There are fourteen character IM icons and 9 wallpapers (including wallpaper versions of the above images).

    In other The Walking Dead news, the show has teamed up with the American Red Cross on a blood drive, and has put out some cool photos of various celebrities zombified by FX guru Greg Nicotero.

    The Walking Dead Season 3 starts October 14.

  • The Walking Dead Turns Peter Jackson, Jimmy Smits & The Black Keys Into Zombies

    AMC and The Walking Dead have teamed up with the American Red Cross on a blood drive. Makeup FX artist (and Walking Dead co-executive producer) Greg Nicotero has “zombified” some celebrities to help spread awareness. These include: Peter Jackson, Jimmy Smits, The Black Keys, Maria Menounos, Elisabeth Rohm, Laird Hamilton, Joel Madden, Kurt Busch and Whitney Port.

    The initiative includes a sweepstakes in which you can give blood and register for a chance to win a 3-day trip to The Walking Dead set during the filming of the fourth season. You can find the rules for that here.

    AMC is sharing the photos on its site. Here’s Peter Jackson, Jimmy Smits and The Black Keys (browse the full gallery here):

    (image)

    (image)

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    More on The Walking Dead here.

  • Cast Of Parks And Recreation Host Google Hangout

    Google Plus Hangouts have shown tremendous promise over the years as a way for celebrities and other VIPs to connect with the common man. Today’s hangout is the ultimate fulfillment of that potential as four cast members from Parks and Recreation sit down in Google’s LA Studios to talk about season five.

    Full disclosure: I’m a rabid Parks and Recreation fan. It’s only second to Arrested Development when it comes to laughs per capita. Getting to hear four of the esteemed cast members – Amy Poehler, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt and Adam Scott – speak candidly about the show is pretty amazing. It’s not as good as Nick Offerman’s AMA, but it comes really close.

    The hangout is 44 minutes long, but Google compiled a short highlight reel that shows some of the better moments from their talk.

    It’s unfortunate that Google could only get part of the cast together, but it’s still a fan’s dream to see these great comedians all in one place. Fans should definitely check out the entire Hangout. It’s the best use of Google Plus Hangouts yet. The only thing that could top this would be Nick Offerman and Aziz Ansari showing up.

    Speaking of Ansari, the actor who plays Tom in Parks and Recreation will be doing an AMA on Reddit tomorrow afternoon at 3 P.M. Nick Offerman set the standard for entertaining AMAs so here’s hoping Ansari can keep it going.

  • Google Play And YouTube Get Over 600 20th Century Fox Titles

    Google Play And YouTube Get Over 600 20th Century Fox Titles

    Google announced today that Google Play and YouTube are getting over 600 titles from Twentieth Century Fox, for users to rent and/or purchase.

    “Today you can buy Fox’s new release Prometheus in HD, available three weeks ahead of the Blu-ray, DVD and video-on-demand release,” writes Jonathan Zepp, Manager of TV & Film Content Partnerships at Google, on the Official Google Blog. “And over the next few weeks you’ll be able to rent or buy your favorite Fox movies like X-Men, Ice Age and Black Swan, and TV shows like ‘Glee,’ ‘Modern Family,’ ‘New Girl’ and many more.”

    That many more includes Family Guy, as Zepp makes clear in his post. “Google Play and YouTube offer the latest new movie releases and your favorite TV shows to enjoy on your Android phone or tablet and on the web,” he says. “But you’ve been missing one critical thing…Stewie Griffin.”

    The titles will be available in the U.S. first, but they’ll also be coming to other countries in the near future, though Google does not specify where or when that will be.

    Google now has all six of the major film studios on board, as well as a number of independent studios. It’s quite an accomplishment on Google’s part to have Fox on board, considering the company’s battles with Rupert Murdoch over the years.

    The news is just part of a broader initiative from Twentieth Century Fox, called Digital HD, which lets users download or stream over 600 Fox movies on various devices via Google Play and YouTube, as well as Amazon, CinemaNow, iTunes, Playstation, VUDU, and Xbox Live.

  • The Walking Dead Season 3 Prison Is Making Creator Robert Kirkman Uncomfortable

    The Walking Dead Season 3 is debuting on October 14, and AMC is having a blast keeping fans salivating in anticipation of the hit show’s return. Last week, we saw the release of a new poster for the season, and an even better poster celebrating the show’s ten million Facebook fan milestone, paying tribute to the film The Social Network.

    Now, AMC is sharing a video tour of the prison, where much of the third season will take place. If you’re familiar with the comics, you’ll know the prison well. The tour is led by none other than Robert Kirkman, the writer and creator of the comics.

    “It’s really blowing me away…I never imagined that I would be here standing in this prison,” says Kirkman. “It’s really strange to think about all of the pages coming in from Charlie Adlard – you know, seven, eight years ago – when we were doing the prison storyline in the comic book, and watching the way he drew the prison cells, and all the little nuances and stuff that we put into the comic book prison, and then to see people looking at those comics and taking inspiration from that, and then constructing it in real life, and being able to actually go onto second levels, and walk upstairs, and go in cells and stuff, it is absolutely just completely bizarre.”

    “Things that are in comics should never exist in real life,” he adds. “I feel really uncomfortable here.”

    More on The Walking Dead here.

  • Are You Lacking Energy? Watch Your Favorite TV Show

    The human psyche can only handle so much before it just shuts down. Our minds are not meant to be constantly firing at full power and we often find ourselves losing the drive to actually get anything done. The only known cure is to just wait for our mind to recharge, but science may have found a better alternative.

    Researchers at the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions found that the your mental resources are finite and can quickly run out even after one completing one task. For busy people, this could leave their next task unfinished as they struggle to find the willpower to complete it. The solution to the problem, according to the researchers, lies in your favorite TV show.

    Dr. Jaye Derrick, head of the research study, found that simply watching a re-run of your favorite TV show can return the mental energy you lost. The restorative powers of re-runs comes from the fact that they don’t challenge our minds in any way. We already know what’s going to happen so our minds can take a break.

    Derrick conducted two studies from which she formed her findings. The first study had some participants complete a difficult puzzle while others were challenged with an easy puzzle. Some were then asked to write about their favorite TV show while the others were asked to list everything in the room.

    The results found that those who wrote about their favorite TV show were able to perform better at solving the difficult puzzle because they wanted to spend more time thinking about said TV show.

    The second study was even more apparent with its findings. The participants were asked to keep a daily diary on “effortful tasks, media consumption and energy levels.” Those who performed difficult tasks were more likely to seek out a re-run of their favorite TV show. The same restorative effect was apparent in those who re-watched a favorite movie or re-read a favorite book.

    Derrick is quick to point out that just watching any TV show that’s on will not restore your energy. She says that it has to be a favorite TV show that you are already familiar with. She also says that her study proves that TV is actually good for people. It’s a safe relationship that’s free of worry or stress.

    If anything, the study gives me an even better excuse to re-watch all of Arrested Development before the new season airs on Netflix later this year.

  • The Walking Dead Blog Shows Off Awesome New Poster

    AMC has released a new poster for the third season of its hit zombie drama The Walking Dead.

    AMC explains on its The Walking Dead blog, “The artwork features Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) standing atop an overturned bus in front of a prison. In an uncertain world, the survivors must not only fight the dead, but also face a whole new fear: the living.”

    (image)

    The “Fight the dead. Fear the Living.” tagline falls in line with comments recently made by show runner Glen Mazzara, who hinted that the humans may be scarier than the zombies this season.

    It’s not a bad poster, but I think I prefer the Social Network tribute if forced to choose between the two. This is the one AMC put out for surpassing ten million Facebook fans.

    More The Walking Dead fun here.

  • The Walking Dead Pays Tribute To The Social Network

    The Internet has been a tremendous promotional tool for AMC’s The Walking Dead, and Facebook, in particular, has helped keep fans engaged and hungry for the next season.

    Last month, AMC released a social The Walking Dead Facebook game, as one example of this engagement in practice. Now, the show has reached ten million Facebook fans. That’s a sixth of the fans rapper Eminem has, and he’s been around for like 15 years. Not bad after just two seasons on television.

    “Thank you to all our amazing fans for helping us reach this awesome milestone!” The Walking Dead says in a status update, sharing the following image, paying homage to The Social Network:

    The Walking Dead Social Network

    As of the time of this writing, 140,276 people like this.

    By the way, the current number of Facebook like for The Walking Dead page is well over ten million at 10,040,657.

    More on The Walking Dead here.