The week in over-the-topprovides a recap of recent news related to OTT initiatives from variousnetworks and platforms.
*FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the agency does not to investigate Netflix Inc.'s throttlingof the video quality of its streaming service for and 's wirelesscustomers as it was not in violation of any U.S. regulations, Reuters reportedMarch 31. Wheeler further said that the throttling fell "outside" ofthe FCC's net neutrality rules since the commission does not regulate "edgeproviders" or websites.
In other platformnews…
*Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.and Kevin Hart have joined forcesto launch a new video-on-demand service, called Laugh Out Loud. As part of thepartnership with Hart and his company, Hartbeat Digital, Lions Gate also willcreate a new social adventure mobile tablet game, the company March 31. The new OTTservice will serve as the exclusive home for all content created by Hartoutside his theatrical and live touring activities and will include originalseries starring Hart. One of the first shows being developed is a hidden camerapremium original series in which Hart stars as an undercover Lyft driver.Additionally, Laugh Out Loud will feature content curated by Hart along withshows featuring social media stars and up and coming comedians, including aseries starring social media personality Logan Paul.
*Netflix will add neworiginal series "Home: Adventures With Tip & Oh" from toits lineup. The first season of the new series will be available exclusively toNetflix members in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the U.K., Australia, NewZealand, Ireland, the Nordics, Benelux and France, starting July 29, thecompany said March31.
*Netflix said March31 that it orderedits first original drama series filmed entirely in Spain, which will debutexclusively on the streaming platform worldwide in 2017. The yet-to-be-titledseries will focus on the story of four Spanish women from different backgroundswho were hired as switchboard operators for the country's lone telephonecompany in the 1920s. The series is produced by Madrid-based Bambú Produccionesand co-created by Gema Neira. Its first season, which will have 16 episodes,will start production in Madrid in the latter part of 2016.
*Sprint Corp.customers can now addAmazon.com Inc.'sAmazon Prime service as an add-on to their monthly plans. The new offer, whichincludes access to Amazon original series and movies via Prime Video, costs$10.99 a month, the carrier saidMarch 31. When purchased through the online retailer, Amazon Prime costs $99 ayear.
*AT&T struck a dealto distribute multichannel network Fullscreen's content across multipleplatforms, Multichannel News reportedMarch 30. Under the partnership, the U.S. carrier will market Fullscreensubscription video-on-demand service to AT&T's base of mobile, broadbandand video subscribers. The programming will also be offered on the AUDIENCENetwork, a linear service for U-verse TV and DIRECTV customers. Fullscreen isowned by Otter Media, a joint venture between AT&T and The Chernin Group.
*Multichannel network Fullscreen will launchits subscription video service on April 26. Titled fullscreen, the service willcost $4.99 a month and will be available on desktop, mobile apps and onChromecast, The Hollywood Reporter reportedMarch 30. The original shows offered by the service will include "ElectraWoman & Dyna Girl," "Filthy Preppy Teen$," "Jack &Dean of All Trades" and video podcast "Shane & Friends." Theservice will also include licensed shows like "Dawson's Creek" and "Savedby the Bell." CEO George Strompolos reportedly said the service istargeted at 13-30 years old demographic.