Avner Ronen

Boxee Sells Live TV (That You Already Get for Free) With a Big Dose of Cord-Cutting Rhetoric

Peter Kafka in Media on November 16, 2011 at 6:07 am PT

A new $50 dongle provides a good opportunity to check in with CEO Avner Ronen and get a state-of-the-state on his business. Short version: Users like his stuff; big TV programmers, not so much.

Why Boxee's Box Doesn't Matter–And Why It Does

Peter Kafka in Media on November 12, 2010 at 6:43 am PT

Time to clear up what Boxee is trying to do with its Boxee Box: Think Netflix, not Roku.

Boxee Goes Hunting for Big Bucks

Peter Kafka in Media on November 8, 2010 at 4:00 am PT

Boxee hits a big milestone this week, when its very own Boxee Box hits the market. But that won’t help the start-up pay its growing staff, which is why Avner Ronen is out raising a big round.

Boxee: Either Jeff Zucker or Jason Kilar Is Lying About Booting Us Off Hulu

Peter Kafka in Media on February 4, 2010 at 2:21 pm PT

Little Boxee, the much hyped Web video service, played a cameo role at today’s Congressional hearings on the Comcast-NBCU deal. And as sometimes happens when Boxee and big media intersect, controversy ensued.

Web Video Darling Boxee Gets Another $6 Million: Are Zero Revenue and Big Plans Worth $25 Million?

Peter Kafka in Media on August 12, 2009 at 8:46 am PT

Yet another sign that revenue-free start-ups can still attract investors, given the right pitch: Boxee, the software company that makes it easy to get Web video onto your TV, has raised a $6 million B round led by General Catalyst. I’m told the new round pegs the company’s value in the $25 million to $30 million range. What’s the appeal? The chance that the company could play a role in the disruption of the $70 billion TV business.

Weekend Update, 3.14.09–Special Roman "Ides of March" Edition

Beth Callaghan in Social on March 14, 2009 at 11:54 am PT

In Silicon Valley, it’s hard to believe that not everyone follows each shiny new thing on the Web, tracks OS versions as intently as the storyline for “Battlestar Galactica” and remains jacked-in pretty much 24/7. But it’s been known to happen. For instance, BoomTown was in Rome earlier this week attending a conference on business, brand and innovation that happens only once every seven years–and one of the biggest takeaways? Hardly any Italians have heard of Twitter, and those who have don’t really use it.

Weekend Update, 3.14.09–Special Roman “Ides of March” Edition

Beth Callaghan in Social on March 14, 2009 at 11:54 am PT

In Silicon Valley, it’s hard to believe that not everyone follows each shiny new thing on the Web, tracks OS versions as intently as the storyline for “Battlestar Galactica” and remains jacked-in pretty much 24/7. But it’s been known to happen. For instance, BoomTown was in Rome earlier this week attending a conference on business, brand and innovation that happens only once every seven years–and one of the biggest takeaways? Hardly any Italians have heard of Twitter, and those who have don’t really use it.

Boxee CEO Avner Ronen Gets a Crash Course in the TV Business

Peter Kafka in Media on March 13, 2009 at 5:00 am PT

When I first met Avner Ronen two months ago, the Israeli entrepreneur was basking in buzz. Now his Web video start-up has gotten a sobering dose of reality from the television establishment, courtesy of NBC and Fox. But Ronen still thinks he can get big TV, and big cable, to play along with him. He has a persuasive case.