Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment announced an expanded deal with Vizio, which will add buttons to its remote controls that will take viewers directly to the Redbox and Crackle ad-supported video-on-demand services.

The new remotes will be included with Vizio smart TVs sold in the second half of 2023.

“As one of the first to launch the Chicken Soup for the Soul app and Crackle FAST channels in our free streaming service, WatchFree Plus, we are pleased to offer new Vizio customers direct access to the Crackle and Redbox streaming services from the Vizio remote,” said Seta Goldstein, director of content & technology partnerships at Vizio . “Our expanded relationship with Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment makes it easy for Vizo users to discover Crackle and Redbox programming — at the touch of a button.”

Chicken Soup announced a similar deal bringing a Crackle button to remotes sold with Hisense sets. 

“We’re excited to expand our footprint with Vizo and allow customers instant access to our vast libraries across Redbox and Crackle,” said Adam Mosam, chief digital officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “This comes at an optimal time as we grow our AVOD and FAST offering in the coming year.”  ■

Universal Electronics said it is introducing a remote control for Apple TV developed and designs for multichannel video program distributors.

Unlike Apple’s minimalist remote, Universal Electronics' device is optimized for live TV experiences, including quick access to electronic program guides and channel control buttons.

“We’re excited that customers worldwide will soon be able to enjoy this new remote, designed specifically for the growing number of MVPDs offering Apple TV 4K to their subscribers,” said Paul Arling, CEO of Universal Electronics Inc. “This remote offers convenient features to quickly access the EPG or channel surf live programming available through the MVPD’s app on Apple TV 4K.”

Universal’s new remote combines Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity together with Infrared to provide universal control.

MVPDs that offer Apple TV 4K can begin placing orders for this remote in late December. MVPDs will be able to introduce the new remote together with Apple TV 4K as they roll it out.

In addition to integrating with MVPD offerings, the new Apple TV accessory features:

Search & Control: Customers can ask Siri to find and access content across live TV and streaming apps

Controls for Live TV: Dedicated program guide and channel keys provide easy and instant access to key live TV viewing functions

Entertainment System Control: Modeless support and universal control of Apple TV, as well as televisions and audio devices from any brand or manufacturer

Reliable and Secure Communication: Integrated design with UE878, UEI’s reliable and highly integrated BLE chipset optimized for voice control, and Apple’s MFi authentication chip for secure connectivity with Apple TV

Automated Backlit Keys: Accelerometer and ambient light sensor to automatically backlight keys in low light environments when the remote is picked up or moved

MVPD Branding: Service providers can add their own company brand on the remote

Sony Corp. has debuted a new remote control for its PlayStation 4 console, one more adept at lean-back TV watching than game play.

And with the debut of the $30 Cloud Remote, Sony is offering a free 30-day trial of its virtual MVPD service, PlayStation Vue.

The new device pairs with the console via BlueTooth and can also control certain TV monitor functions including volume and power.

Related: PlayStation Vue Busts Out

The handheld device can be used in lieu of PS4’s native DualShock 4 controller, which is more fit for gaming. It will hit the market on September 19, available only at GameStop locations and on Amazon.

According to figures released by Strategy Analysts, PlayStation Vue ranges as the fourth biggest vMVPD, amassing around 745,000 subscribers since it debuted in 2015.

Among the major virtual pay TV services, Vue’s year-over-year growth of 59.4% is the second slowest next to market leader Sling TV, which expanded by only 25.9% from Q2 2017 to Q2 2018. 

The way in which TV viewers search for and consume content at home on their primary television sets is radically changing. Did you know there is a pecking order in how we watch TV? It turns out most people choose their programs the same way.

These are the findings from our company’s independent research to better understand consumer behavior when it comes to watching TV.

Most TV viewers faced with a mountain of available content break down their viewing options into a discernable pattern in choosing what to watch first, second, third and fourth in a pecking order of preference.

(1) First, viewers tune to highly anticipated “top tier” content (i.e., live sports, breaking news or a debuting episode of a favorite series);

(2) If this “top tier” live content is not on, the second choice is specific pre-recorded (DVR or VOD) content – again this tends to be favorite programming;

(3) The third choice happens if VOD or DVR content isn’t appealing at that moment – viewers go to streaming services like Hulu, Netflix or Amazon Video, or look at DVR-recorded programs that have yet to become a favorite; and

(4) Finally, if all else fails, viewers will select from the guide listing or by scrolling across live TV for what’s on their favorite channels currently -- and when they do this, it’s for the most casual of engagement, using the TV as a background while doing other things.

Despite the fact there’s more content and channels than ever before, viewers are “channel surfing” less and less. This trend is troubling for linear TV programmers and service providers, as much of the valued or high-cost content is not on the radar for many of today’s TV viewers.

What’s holding viewers back from exploring all this diverse content could be the way we navigate.

Many consumers will tell you there’s an overwhelming number of buttons and function keys on a standard universal remote control, which can be intimidating and confusing. Some users will go as far as to cover sections of their remote completely, with tape or other materials, fearing that pressing the wrong button could alter settings and leave them unable to watch any TV -- and require another call to customer tech support.

Companies like Comcast and Dish have introduced voice navigation for their subscribers, and it’s proving to be a hit! This technology can now deliver more than 90% search accuracy.

Today’s fickle and overwhelmed couch potato is a creature of habit. A pecking order for selecting what to watch on the big screen will always be a part of their routine. And just as streaming services are now a natural part of their viewing experience, voice navigation will be too, along with other innovations that should delight consumers.

 Ultimately this will result in a better user experience. And at the end of the day, that’s what all of us in this business strive for, isn’t it?

Stephen Gutman is senior vice president, Subscription Broadcast Unit – Americas, at remote control and sensor technology vendor Universal Electronics, where he serves as a consultant to the customer premises equipment group at nearly every major MVPD across North and South America.