Report: Zune to become streaming video service

Having established partnerships with both Netflix and Hulu on the Xbox 360, Microsoft might be gearing up to compete with them.

The company is reportedly planning to roll out a streaming video service of its own under the Zune brand later this year.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

HBO Go headed to iPad on May 2

HBO is teasing – if not outright announcing – its imminent arrival on the iPhone, iPad and other mobile devices.

The cabler has posted a YouTube video that shows its HBO Go streaming service running on a variety of tablets and phones, including Apple’s iconic brands. At the end, the HBO Go logo is shown with the date 5.2.11 shown underneath, presumably the mobile launch date for the service.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

Amazon launches movie-streaming service, targets Netflix

Amazon is escalating the battle among video streaming services.

The online retailer has flipped the switch on Amazon Instant Video, a ‘free’ streaming service for paying members of its Amazon Prime program. The service is squarely targeted at the growing service Netflix has been building over the past few years, with over 5,000 titles – and a lower monthly cost.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog

Netflix and Disney shore up their relationship

The Mouse House is aligning itself tightly with Netflix.

The two companies today announced a deal that will significantly boost the amount of television content Netflix is able to stream from ABC, The Disney Channel and ABC Family.

Read more at Variety’s Technotainment blog