Here's one startup that potetially could cause broadcasters and pay-TV operators some serious trouble.
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Click here to watch a video about Bamboom. |
Bamboom, a New York company with $4.5 million in backing from VC firms including FirstMark Capital, First Round Capital, Highland Capital Partners, High Line Venture Partners and SV Angel, is beta testing a service that allows you to watch broadcast television on any connected device, from PCs to TVs, tablets and smartphones.
Bamboom Labs is taking a different approach than other recent entries in the field, like Ivi TV and FilmOn, deploying "hundreds of thousands" of miniature antennas that "are ready for private use whenever you want to watch TV." A user's private antenna, tuner and personal DVR are all connected to the cloud, and can be accessed them from any Internet connected device. The service also differs from others in that programming is only available in market, so a user in New York, for example, wouldn't be able to watch a broadcast from Chicago.
Bamboom also has taken those models a step further, integrating Netflix into the interface. The company also highlights the ability for social interaction with Bamboom, including chatting with friends and recommendation platforms.
The beta program currently is open to residents of New York State and Connecticut within the New York City television market area. You can sign up here.
So far, no information on price or on what other markets are likely to see Bamboom, but BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield is betting on a free service, with bells and whistles--like the DVR--at a premium.
DId you say legal issues? As All Things Digital points out, the one customer/one use idea already has been approved by the Supreme Court, which is how Cablevision can support a remote DVR service for customers. And, he notes, it's the same legal stilts Google and Amazon are standing on to provide cloud-based music lockers.
But Bamboom isn't expecting broadcasters or pay-TV companies to roll over and just watch it gather up customers. It says it's saving much of that $4.5 million in startup cash for the legal battles it knows will be coming down the pike.
For more:
- see this article
- check out the Bamboom video
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