The Apple fell from the tree this week that rocked the media world. Apple announced iTunes 6, the new version of the popular software that now allows users to download music videos and television shows to their computer. The announcement was in conjunction with an announcement for their new video iPod, that can store and play up to 150 hours of television shows, music videos and film clips downloaded via the Internet. The new iPod will hit shelves in the United States next week, Apple founder and chief executive Steve Jobs said.

Apple sealed a large content deal with Disney to make episodes of shows such as Lost and Desperate Housewives available via its online iTunes store. The videos will be available the day after they are aired and will be commercial free.

Now that is our idea of video on demand. Apple changed the way consumers paid for music and it worked. Will they perform the same feat for TV?

Here are some other interesting reads...

While not exactly along the lines of IPTV (but could be if Microsoft or Google decided to offer IPTV), this is an interesting article regarding the talks Microsoft and Google are having with AOL over a Time Warner acquisition.

AOL, the milk glass of the mass media
ZDNet - October 14, 2005
"Like an odd piece of pottery — plain but useful — that turns up every few years at the same country fair auction, AOL finds itself on the public block once again — and fetching some pretty snappy bids. I say public auction because business transactions of this sort, on the $5 billion to $10 billion plane, are usually kept hush-hush until all the Ts&Cs are firmed up."

Sky may shake up UK broadband market
ZDNet - october 13, 2005
"If Sky does give its satellite TV customers a broadband connection, it would then be able to offer much better interactive services, including gaming and gambling. It could also offer IPTV over the broadband link, rather than broadcasting by satellite."

The Top 10 Lessons Wireline Service Providers Have Learned About Deploying IPTV
Converge! Network Digest - October 12, 2005
"Dozens of wireline service providers have successfully deployed commercial IPTV services. Despite great diversity in size, technologies employed, and competitive environments, many best practices and proven success recipes have emerged. Here are the Top Ten lessons learned based on IPTV deployments in North America to date. These lessons touch upon all aspects of IPTV implementation, from the tactical elements of marketing IPTV services against incumbent Multiple Service Operators (MSOs) and Digital Broadcast Satellite (DBS) providers to the strategic network transformation considerations that reach beyond IPTV and include the integration of information, communications, and entertainment (ICE) services delivery."

MTV, Cisco Launch Streaming Network
PC Magazine - October 10, 2005
"Cisco Systems, whose hardware already facilitates much of the video traffic on the Internet, took a step toward the consumer IPTV business Monday with the launch of mtvU Über, MTV's new 24-hour college-age network streamed entirely in broadband."

"The new IPTV (Internet protocol television) network broadcasts 24 hours per day on a per-site basis to 730 college campuses and to an audience of more than 6 million students across the United States, an MTV spokesperson said."

Microsoft sees a future on the small screen
The Seattle Times - October 10, 2005
"It took 12 years and more than $10 billion, but one of Microsoft's biggest dreams may finally be coming true: The company is close to becoming a major player in the television business."

GPON Vendors Line Up
Light Reading - October 10, 2005
"The U.S. RBOCs seem unusually aggressive with their plans to deploy GPON and, with some vendor strategies still a secret, analysts say some of the most obvious names won't necessarily win an upcoming request for proposal (RFP)."

Kagan's Column: The ITV Drumbeat Booms, But Who's Listening?
Paul Kagan - October 10, 2005
"Let's see, this may be the 2,503rd time I've said interactive TV in the U.S. is about to take off. But I'm saying it again, and will continue to until the colonies catch up with their forefathers in Europe. Frustration abounds in this ever-nascent industry, while progress within goes almost unnoticed. It doesn't help that consumers confuse ITV with IPTV, and that even media executives don't fully grasp the boundaries. As keynote speaker Josh Sapan of Rainbow Media said at the Kagan Digital Media Summit: 'The content industry has to do a whole lot more to take advantage of new technology. If we don't, we'll miss out on some big new thing.'"