Late last year, we learned Intel was seeking content deals for its Web TV service, but aside from that, details were scant. Since then , new information has surfaced that indicates Intel is on track to release its media streamer this year, and it will offer services few of its competitors currently match. The Wall Street Journal has reported that, at yesterday’s D: Dive Into Media conference, Corporate VP of Intel Media, Erik Huggers, told the audience that Intel Web TV would arrive by year’s end.
The service will purportedly offer a cache of previously aired content (as per industry standard), but will also feature the holy grail of over-the-top set-top box features: Live TV.
Can we officially call this a gold rush now?
The TV ring is overflowing with the fedoras, sombreros, and stetsons of a host of power players, but Intel’s ambitions seem lofty even amongst such esteemed company. Its goal is to “build the best internet television service ever,” says Huggers, who seemed comfortable fixing expectations squarely in the stratosphere.
Apparently Intel poached employees from Apple, Netflix and Google in pursuit of that end – not a bad collection of wells to draw from. Intel will need the…well, intel, as this market is already very competitive, even in its infancy. In order to come out swinging, Intel will need to offer something truly revolutionary. It looks as if that may be exactly what it has up its sleeve.
