Going beyond the DVR, Oceanic parent company Time Warner Cable is offering Fan TV to subscribers who want to connect their TVs to online sources of programming.
Fan TV offers streaming content from Redbox Instant, Crackle, Target Ticket and the Rhapsody music streaming service, and the company will add more over time.
"Today, discovery is backwards, you’re narrowing your options by first picking a device, then an app, then shuffling through a limited content library," said Gilles BianRosa, CEO of Fan TV, in a statement. The small, dome-shaped Fan TV box and palm-sized remote give users the option of live TV, video on demand and streaming services "in one simplified discovery experience," he said.
Time Warner Cable subscribers in Hawaii and 28 other states can pre-order Fan TV for a one-time fee of $99, and the devices will be shipped in June, Fan TV spokeswoman Jeannie Hornung told TheBuzz in an email.
"Fan TV will work with your existing set-top box and on its own," she wrote. "As long as you are a current Time Warner Cable video and broadband subscriber, you can install Fan TV yourself in a matter of minutes. Just connect it to your TV via HDMI cable, plug into the wall for power with the included AC adapter, and connect to WiFi or Ethernet."
The remote has a smooth surface and behaves like a touch screen. A swipe across the remote changes on-screen selections, while a tap will select the chosen option.
Fan TV content can be accessed even if two shows are being recorded on the cable DVR, since the DVR is connected to Oceanic via the coaxial cable whereas Fan TV is Internet protocol-based, she explained.
Demographers and tech types from various companies and trade organizations have been reporting over the years that consumers are increasingly watching entertainment programs via so-called "second screens" including smartphones, tablets and laptops, pushing content providers who concentrate on larger screens to step up their games.
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On the Net:
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ISLE STATIONS EARN BROADCAST HONORS
Hawaii Public Radio, Hawaii News Now and KHON-TV are among the winners in the regional 2014 Edward R. Murrow Awards, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association.
Awards were presented in 13 categories for broadcast radio and television stations, with competitions separated into small- and large-market divisions in California, Guam, Hawaii and Nevada. The Hawaii stations were awarded in the small-market division.
Hawaii Public Radio won in the breaking-news category for its coverage of the molasses spill in Honolulu Harbor, for its "Hawaii’s Brain Drain" coverage in the feature reporting category, as well as for "Hawaii’s Food Future" in the news series category.
Hawaii News Now received awards for an entry titled "Escaped Murderer" in the newscast category, and news documentary and writing awards for its tribute to retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.
KHON-TV won a breaking-news award for its coverage of Hurricane Flossie.
KITV did not enter the competition, according to News Director Chuck Parker.
Each entry awarded regionally is automatically entered in the national competition, of which winners will be announced in June.
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On the Net:
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Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
