Chromecast
Chromecast, Google’s media streaming device that enables people to watch smartphone or Tablet PC-based videos on TV, has landed in Korea, igniting a lot of interest among potential users.
The device was first launched in the U.S., spawning a stream of positive responses, but it is yet to be seen how it will impact the local paid broadcasting market that has a much different media environment.
On May 14, Google Korea rolled out Chromecast in one of the best connected nations, chosen as the first market to launch in Asia.
Chromecast is a WiFi-using device that allows people to access smartphone or tablet PC-based music or videos such as YouTube videos, movies, or music on their TV when it is inserted into the HDMI port of that TV.
The device was the most-researched word on major local portal sites in the morning of its roll out,and it was also well received as a new potential media device. EveryOnTV, that launched “EveryOnTVCast” in Feb., judged that Chromecast’s local release will bring a positive impact rather than posing as competition.
A company associate said, “Since Chromecast’s release, EveryOnTVCast sales went up. We are looking at it positively in that the Chromecast launch heightened user interest.”
However it is yet to be seen how much of a user base Chromecast will secure in the local market.
Presently, locally available content via Chromecast include YouTube, Google Play movies, and local streaming media services Tving and Hopping.
Chromecast, however, does not provide mirroring, which shows everything that is on smartphones and tablet PCs on the TV.
Streaming device users can enjoy movies or music from a mobile app that supports Chromecast on the TV screen.
According to some analysts, the delay in its local debut was due to slow content procurement.
Chromecast is a big success in the U.S. market on the back of affiliates such as Netflix that have a massive amount of content.
A paid broadcasting associate said, “some analysts may point out that the Chromecast launch may hurt the local paid broadcasting industry, but its imminent impact on the market seems slim.”