Fox News goes broadband

C|Net News.com ^ | January 13, 2004 | Jim Hu

[TexRef]

Fox News goes broadband

Last modified: January 13, 2004, 11:42 AM PST

By Jim Hu
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

Fox News has become the latest major media outlet to offer streaming video clips of its TV programs for free on the Web in hopes of attracting more broadband users.

The cable news station, owned by News Corp., on Tuesday said its FoxNews.com Web site now lets visitors stream clips from its breaking news and popular talk shows such as "The O'Reilly Factor."

Fox News joins other news outlets that offer free, advertising-supported streaming video to its Web visitors. After the dot-com collapse, some media companies such as CNN and ABCNews.com began charging for subscriptions as a way to finance video clips.

Recently, however, other companies have been taking a stab at keeping video free. Last week, Microsoft released a free streaming video site called MSN TV that features segments from NBC News and news shows such as "Dateline." CBS News also has taken the free route by supporting its video with advertising.

FoxNews.com has chosen the free model as a starting point, but by no means is the decision set in stone, the company said.

"We may go down that road in the near future, but at this point, that's not what we're going to be doing," said Bert Solivan, general manager at FoxNews.com.

FoxNews.com will offer the feeds in Windows Media and RealNetworks formats. It will provide streams in 56kbps (kilobits per second) for dial-up users and 300kbps for broadband users.

[hobbes1]

It is my understanding that in order to get people over to the site, they are advertising a Patty Ann Brown & Laurie Dhue re-enactment of the Miller Light Catfight....

[OXENinFLA]

ROCK ON FOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OXENinFLA]

Will that be Pay-per view?

[discostu]

I'll buy that for a dollar.

[MoodyBlu]

Again, Laurie Dhue is the most gorgeous lady on TV (IMHO). Sigh!

MoodyBlu

[Constitution Day]

Jane Skinner and the estimable Ms. Dhue... now *that* I'd watch.

[hobbes1]

No, The catfight is free, the PPV kicks in when Laurie Dhue says, Forget it, Let's just makeout.

[hobbes1]

I dig Jane Skinflute too....

[Constitution Day]

ROFL!!

[N. Theknow]

You cannot invoke the name of LD without THE picture -

Ahem -

Allow me to introduce -

For your - um - "viewing pleasure."

[fish hawk]

Skinner is the winner, although, I give Laurie her Dhue.

[BushCountry]

They used to offer this service a long time ago! Then for some strange reason decided to pull-it. The more things change, the more they stay the same it seems.

[BushCountry]

They used to offer this service a long time ago! Then for some strange reason decided to pull-it. The more things change, the more they stay the same it seems.

[smith288]

They used to offer this service a long time ago! Then for some strange reason decided to pull-it. The more things change, the more they stay the same it seems.

In short it had something to do with the people acting in the advertisements. They felt like they werent getting paid enough if Fox was going to allow so many people see those commercials...which is stupid because the advertisement went to more for the same price...But I digress.

Fox pulled the stream as their solution.

[elfman2]

I remember when they offered streaming video and audio as well, about 4 years ago. It was the only way I could get Fox for awhile. I just guessed that they saw no profit in it. Perhaps now they’re not so cash short and looking for any edge into market expansion.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

My husband will watch (rolling my eyes). He always comments about the quantity of blonde females on Fox News. I always reply "Check out the dark roots!" :-)

Sign me,
Natural Redhead

[spodefly]

Again, Laurie Dhue is the most gorgeous lady on TV (IMHO). Sigh!

They don't call it Fox news for nothing. Now if they could just get rid of O'Reilley and Greta, and replace them with people the caliber of Cavuto and Hume, they would be the best news organization period.

[Living Free in NH]

Again, Laurie Dhue is the most gorgeous lady on TV (IMHO). Sigh!

I beg to differ. Juliet Huddy gives me a reason to wake up on Saturday & Sunday.