Federal Communications Commissioner Ajit Pai sent a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings today, alleging that the Company is in the works to create Internet “fast lanes” for its streaming content, while at the same time campaigning loudly for net neutrality.

Netflix has been a staunch supporter of network neutrality and openness. If Ajit Pai’s accusations are true, this can prove to be an embarrassment to the company.

Building Internet “fast lanes” would give Netflix an advantage over its competitors and swerve the Internet in its favour. Net neutrality aims to avoid monied incumbents on the Internet using a monetary advantage to better its market position, which would be the case if Netflix does follow through with its alleged plans.

Currently, Netflix has declined to comment on the matter.

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In recent weeks, speculative reports have been circulating that Amazon is preparing to release an ad-supported free version of its Instant Video collection. Although the company has attempted to squash rumours by stating that it has not announced any such plans, it has neither denied the reports.

Amazon already offers free first episodes of selective serials with supporting ads, a spokesperson of the company reminded everyone. They also pointed out that Amazon uses ad-supported trailers, sticking to the fact that there has been no announcement of a free ad-supported online video collection.

“We’re often experimenting with new offers and experiences for customers, but we have not announced any plans to offer an ad-supported video-streaming service,” an Amazon spokesperson said.

Back in march, the e-commerce company stated that they had no plans on releasing any free version of their streaming services. But now, statements from Amazon representatives have a slight change in tone, to stating the obvious that nothing on the topic has been officially announced yet.

If free ad-supported streaming media services do become available , this could help bridge the gap between Amazon and Netflix in terms of peak internet traffic in the United States. Currently Amazon comes in second by attracting 2.58 perfect of internet traffic. This pales in comparison to Netflix’s 34.89 percent share of traffic during peak evening hours.

The New York Post is responsible for jet setting rumours of Amazon’s alleged plans as revealed by certain sources. These sources however did not state that the service would be free once supported by ads, as currently used by Hulu, but would be significantly lower than Netflix’s monthly subscription free of $9.99.

Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, predicts that Amazon will create a “Netflix killer” by spinning the $99 Prime service of its Instant Video collection through ad-supported and premium versions.

“It won’t be $99 a year,” said Patcher. Although later adding: “Who wouldn’t switch if you were poor or you’re a cord-cutter?”

Research firm Sandvine’s bi-annual report has revealed that Netflix accounts for more than one-third of peak internet traffic in North America during evening hours.

Netflix was reported to have a 34.21% share of traffic in the first half of 2014. This number has now risen to 34.89% in the second half of the year, according to Sandvine. This is the highest figure for Netflix.

Internet Service providers, like Comcast and Verizon, have long argued that Netflix pay for the dominating bandwidth it uses attributed to heavy internet usage.

Netflix is not the only tech company to see gains in internet usage share. Facebook had an increase from 1.99% to 2.98%. Netflix’s biggest competitor, Amazon Video, also increased their share from 1.9% to 2.58%. YouTube saw an gain of 13.19% to 14.09% in traffic share. iTunes and bitTorrent on the other hand saw both their shares lower to below 3%.

These figures don’t include Internet usage on mobile devices using cellular data networks. In that department, YouTube is in the lead with a 19.75% share, closely followed by Facebook having a 19.05% share.

Penny Dreadful is a scary psychological thriller that includes the classic horror tales in a new drama for adults. This show claimed some of the most terrifying characters in literature, including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, continuing with Dorian Gray, as well as famous characters from the novel Dracula, lurking from the darkest corners of Victorian era in London, and became one of the most-watched and appreciated tv shows amongst the fans all over the world.

The first season filled with excellent acting of the main characters, and all controversies that followed them, the encounters with demons, vampires and other dark creatures, all of course accompanied with a lot of blood, left us waiting and impatient for the start of a second season and follow up to the next adventures.

Until now, as the blood appears to be moving once again, considering the fact that Showtime announces the first official picture from Penny Dreadful season two, along with a teasing that the two show stars, Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) and the ever haunting Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) are closer than friends.

“This season, Vanessa and Ethan face new challenges, and old enemies, and turn to each other for solace,” Penny Dreadful creator John Logan said. “Their intimacy grows as they are forced to confront their demons together.” John Logan, series creator and executive producer, says.

“We wanted the ‘Penny Dreadful’ action sequences to be appropriate to the piece, so our fights are barroom brawls; they’re really ugly and violent — it has the feeling of savagery,” added Logan.

Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) and the ever haunting Vanessa Ives (Eva Green)

This season, Vanessa and Ethan develop a deeper bond as the team, including Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), Dr. Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), and Sembene (Danny Sapani), join forces to chase away the evil forces that threaten to ruin them.
At the same time, Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), the Monster (Rory Kinnear) and Brona (Billie Piper) are all fighting battles of their own. Patti LuPone will guest star as a mystical character of an amazing importance in Vanessa’s past.

Helen McCrory returns as Evelyn Poole (a.k.a. Madame Kali), the provocative spiritualist who will pose a unique threat to our protagonists this season, along with Simon Russell Beale, who back as eccentric Egyptologist Ferdinand Lyle. Additional guest stars include Douglas Hodge as a Scotland Yard detective; Sarah Greene as Poole’s mighty daughter, Hecate; and Johnny Beauchamp as a man with a singular past.

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Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s latest NBC comedy series, ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, has been picked up by Netflix before it has even premiered, saving the midseason comedy from pre-cancellation.

Netflix does have a history of picking up cancelled TV serials before, including The Killing, Arrested Development and not so long ago Longmire.

The first season comprising of 13 episodes will premiere on Netflix in March, at around the same time as its original premiere date on NBC. Netflix has also doubled the 13-episode order, with Universal TV remaining as its studio, making an offer for a two-season order.

“The very construct of ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ — its offbeat premise, hilarious and rich characters and serialized storytelling — make it a perfect Netflix comedy series,” Cindy Holland, VP Original Content at Netflix said. “Tina and Robert’s unique comic voice and sensibility come through in this series.”

“When the opportunity arose for Tina Fey and Robert Carlock to premiere their new show on Netflix with a two-season commitment, we decided this was the best possible scenario to launch this captivating new series,” NBC Chairman Bob Greenblatt said when addressing the reasons for moving the series from NBC to Netflix. “While it was originally developed for NBC, we have a very drama-heavy midseason schedule, so we’re thrilled about this Netflix opportunity. It’s an instant win-win for everyone, including Tina, Robert, and Universal Television.”

Regarding the Universal TV’s commitment to the series, he said: “We’re already talking to (Fey and Carlock) about new development for NBC, but meanwhile, everyone here from Universal Television will do everything possible to see that Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt becomes a long-running hit on Netflix.”

‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, starring Ellie Kemper, had a straight-to-series order on NBC despite not having a good time slot for it, but Fey and Carlock are important figures in the network, as was the show for Uni TV. Netflix had been interested in mixing business with Fey and Carlock after finding success with comedies like Arrested Devlopment and New Girl. Such comedies have better suited digital distribution and proved invaluable to streaming services.

The show’s move to Netflix, may be a sign that comedic serials may permanently be leaving broadcast airwaves, following viewers who are moving away towards digital platforms.

Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, have stressed their commitment with NBC . “Happily, we will still collaborate with our longtime partners at Universal Television to fulfill Netflix’s two-season order,” they said. “We grew up at NBC and will continue to develop broadcast projects with them as well. We found the inspiration for this series in Ellie Kemper’s shining all-American face, and we know that she and Kimmy Schmidt have found their best possible home at Netflix.”

‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ follows Kimmy Schmidt who decides to reclaim her life after living in a doomsday cult by starting her life over again in New York City. She tackles on a world which she had thought no longer existed, with a backpack, sneakers and a couple of overdue library books.