SM: You are going for the real idiot-proof user model. TiVo is not idiot-proof. MB: You are starting to hit it! The viewer experience is key. Search is a key component of the overall user experience. The ability for a human being to get the ads she is interested is something new. It is win-win
SM: In terms of an investment thesis, how many millions of dollars has ZillionTV raised? MB: Not going to be speaking to that right now.
SM: The one thing I see in what you have talked about is the user experience. The user interaction with Netflix is fragmented. You are saying that you have cut out the computer and are allowing the entire experience to happen via a remote control. MB: That is one of the key differentiating factors between
SM: As a result, the user is sitting back as opposed to sitting forward. With that, let’s take the next step into the ecosystem. ZillionTV comes into this universe; is it the only player that has established itself in this frame of reference or are there other players sharing the space? MB: There are many
SM: At the same time, our iMac screen has almost the same resolution as this TV screen. They are incredibly high-resolution. MB: What is really important for this discussion is to take ourselves out of Silicon Valley to the rank and file television viewer in this country. HDTV, or high definition, is growing in consumer
SM: They are using the Internet connection to download movies to the set-top box and view them from there. MB: Yes. Again, you have three distinct flavors: Internet TV companies going directly to the PC, traditional operators, and independent boxes all providing video services. That is a highly competitive and confused landscape.
Mitch Berman has 27 years’ experience in the television entertainment industry including pioneering work in pay TV and interactive TV services. His resume includes stints at HBO, E! Entertainment Television, Sky Network in New Zealand and OpenTV. His latest venture is the founding of ZillionTV. SM: Let’s set the stage for the beginning of your
SM: Most public utility commissioners are appointed to their positions and are not energy experts. Who educates them? CE: They are dependent on their staff and on the utilities themselves.