Comcast launched Xfinity in UHD, an Ultra HD on-demand programming app for Samsung Ultra HD TVs, Comcast said in a Thursday announcement. Debuting with full current seasons of TV shows from NBC and USA Network, the Xfinity in UHD app library will continue to expand with on-demand programming "across multiple networks and studios and is completely free to Xfinity TV customers whose video subscription includes participating networks," Comcast said. Xfinity TV customers who own 2014 Samsung UHD TVs can download the app, log in and immediately begin streaming episodes of Chicago Fire (NBC), and Suits and Covert Affairs (USA), with Parks and Recreation (NBC) to debut in February, it said. The Comcast deal is Samsung’s second exclusive partnership on Ultra HD content delivery in as many months, following its mid-November agreement with DirecTV on the launch of 4K VOD content (see 1411130039).
Comcast launched Xfinity in UHD, an Ultra HD on-demand programming app for Samsung Ultra HD TVs, Comcast said in a Thursday announcement. Debuting with full current seasons of TV shows from NBC and USA Network, the Xfinity in UHD app library will continue to expand with on-demand programming "across multiple networks and studios and is completely free to Xfinity TV customers whose video subscription includes participating networks," Comcast said. Xfinity TV customers who own 2014 Samsung UHD TVs can download the app, log in and immediately begin streaming episodes of Chicago Fire (NBC), and Suits and Covert Affairs (USA), with Parks and Recreation (NBC) to debut in February, it said. The Comcast deal is Samsung’s second exclusive partnership on Ultra HD content delivery in as many months, following its mid-November agreement with DirecTV on the launch of 4K VOD content (see 1411130039).
Comcast launched Xfinity in UHD, an Ultra HD on-demand programming app for Samsung Ultra HD TVs, Comcast said in a Thursday announcement. Debuting with full current seasons of TV shows from NBC and USA Network, the Xfinity in UHD app library will continue to expand with on-demand programming "across multiple networks and studios and is completely free to Xfinity TV customers whose video subscription includes participating networks," Comcast said. Xfinity TV customers who own 2014 Samsung UHD TVs can download the app, log in and immediately begin streaming episodes of Chicago Fire (NBC), and Suits and Covert Affairs (USA), with Parks and Recreation (NBC) to debut in February, it said. The Comcast deal is Samsung’s second exclusive partnership on Ultra HD content delivery in as many months, following its mid-November agreement with DirecTV on the launch of 4K VOD content (see 1411130039).
The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council asked the FCC to make some changes to its Part 22 rules, in a filing responding to an October public notice from the Wireless Bureau. NPSTC, which represents public safety groups, said many have deployed Part 22 channels as a supplement to land mobile radio spectrum in areas where insufficient Part 90 channels are available. “NPSTC recommends the Commission open a rulemaking to address several key areas that would help enable such secondary market access and use of Part 22 channels for public safety and business critical operations,” the group said. Among the changes NPSTC sought is a broader emission bandwidth to be allowed under Part 22. NPSTC also urged the FCC to find that mobile, portable and fixed infrastructure transmitters certified under Part 90 of the rules can be used on Part 22 channels “on a routine basis.” Comments were due on the notice Wednesday in docket 14-180.
Senate approval of FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly’s renomination may well be at play despite the 113th Congress winding down this week. Senate Commerce Committee ranking member John Thune, R-S.D., said he has fought for this approval and hasn’t lost faith, with the Senate now operating well after observers initially believed all of Capitol Hill would recess.
An interagency task force provided the Obama administration a list of recommendations to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the task force said in notice issued Dec. 17 (here). The recommendations were requested in a memorandum issued by President Obama in June (see 14061726). The memo established a Presidential Task Force on combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud, co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce, and including 12 other agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Justice and the U.S. Trade Representative. The task force is asking for comments on the recommendations by Jan. 20 and plans to release an action plan in early 2015, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The boost in Republican ranks in the next Congress bodes favorably for Trade Promotion Authority passage through the Finance Committee, said incoming committee chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in a Dec. 16 interview. Hatch pledged to re-introduce the bill and muster congressional support for it “relatively early” next Congress, but the bill is not likely to advance through both chambers without more presidential support, he said. President Obama reiterated his support for TPA and the broader trade agenda in recent days (see 1412120003). Many Republican lawmakers say he still needs to do more.
Senate approval of FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly’s renomination may well be at play despite the 113th Congress winding down this week. Senate Commerce Committee ranking member John Thune, R-S.D., said he has fought for this approval and hasn’t lost faith, with the Senate now operating well after observers initially believed all of Capitol Hill would recess.
THX launched a new 4K interconnect certification program for passive and active cables capable of supporting HDMI 2.0 bandwidth requirements and beyond, the company said in a Monday announcement. The need for the program cropped up when THX engineers began testing Ultra HD TVs and found that "common cables" that performed "flawlessly" with HD content began showing "faults" when attempting to pass higher-bandwidth 4K test material, it said. "This discovery led THX to launch a program focused on identifying the current and future capabilities of HDMI cables and their potential effects on 4K entertainment experiences. Our finding is that a significant portion of HDMI cables available today, specifically in lengths of five meters and greater, can demonstrate faults when passing high bandwidth content such as 4K 60fps." The Australian brand Kordz is the first to land THX certification for its HDMI cables, THX said. But "due to the extremely stringent specifications THX expects only a small percentage of current HDMI interconnects to pass certification testing," it said.
Bipartisan wireless legislation may yet be introduced in the Senate this Congress, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., confirmed Thursday in an interview at the Capitol. Rubio is, as expected (see 1412090051), working on legislation dealing with wireless siting to make it easier for carriers to build out on federal land, and partnering with Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. McCaskill spokespeople haven't confirmed that any legislation is in the works. Some people suspected an introduction as soon as Wednesday, but the legislation wasn't introduced then, and Rubio said the senators encountered a procedural snag. The lawmakers are “working through something” with the Capitol's parliamentarian, and it’s possible the bill could still be introduced this week, said Rubio. “We’re working on it,” he said. “I don’t know if it’ll be introduced in this Congress or the next. It might be [this week].” Congress was initially expected to recess Thursday but will remain in session to work through a government funding bill and certain other measures.