Let's talk the business of broadcast / cable / satellite / streaming TV

[Happy Panther]

https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/cnn-will-launch-in-the-first-quarter-of-2022/?fbclid=IwAR38RAkJfpzpMgUooZPnKewP6O5hE0ChN5JSkup2Zc46kkdfCZJPyC3FF9Q
 

Quote

CNN’s upcoming streaming service CNN+ will launch in Q1 2022, WarnerMedia announced today. The streaming service will offer a “new, additive experience” to go alongside CNN’s linear networks for those who want more news and CNN programming.

 Oh come on.

[PanthersATL]

30 minutes ago, Happy Panther said:

 Oh come on.

It's more about providing a way for CNN to continue to make money as cable subscriptions (and the associated cash inflow) are cut. While the primary CNN news should still be available "for free" on OTT boxes and supported by advertising, CNN+ is looking to provide some sort of in-depth storytelling that they don't have the time/ability to cover on their main news feed.

CNN's Headline News with Lynn Russell and the other anchors was fantastic. All the news you needed to hear in 30m chunks. Worked great until local cable companies decided to splice in local news breaks in the final 5 mins where HL would normally be covering lifestyle/entertainment clips that they had been promoting earlier in the 30m clock. Ugh.

 

[Shocker]

On 6/10/2021 at 3:00 PM, holderoftruth said:

This is very timely topic on my end.

 

We currently have cable through Specturm, along with streaming services (Hulu, Netflix, Prime). We currently are paying $65 a month which includes all fees netting the internet bundle savings. However, it’s set to increase $30 a month in August.

Im really interesting in switching to YouTube TV. It has DVR, which we currently don’t have, plus the channel selections are overall better. Any thoughts on YouTube TV or other similar streaming services (Fubo, etc.)?

Youtube TV is the best streaming TV service but at around 70 bucks its costly, but really they are all now.

Probably is closest comp is Hulu TV which is good just not as good.  Youtube TV is pretty awesome service wise and if you DVR its a no brainer as that is unlimited and works flawlessly.

Edited July 20, 2021 by Shocker

[PanthersATL]

11 hours ago, Shocker said:

 Youtube TV is pretty awesome service wise and if you DVR its a no brainer as that is unlimited and works flawlessly.

Not really "unlimited" in the pure sense of the term.

From YouTube:  As long as you maintain your membership status, live TV recordings will be saved for 9 months. Other programs will vary based on agreements with our content partners. 

[Shocker]

25 minutes ago, PanthersATL said:

Not really "unlimited" in the pure sense of the term.

From YouTube:  As long as you maintain your membership status, live TV recordings will be saved for 9 months. Other programs will vary based on agreements with our content partners. 

True…appreciate the clarification.  There is one downside to all of these that aren’t ATT TV (for me anyway) and that is no Fox Sports Southeast which carries Hornets games.  Pretty big deal for me but the package they carry that includes these channels is 85 bucks.  Not paying that much but stinks not being able to see these games.  Bally Sports is supposed to be coming out with an app to allow people to subscribe to get these but word is that will be 20+ bucks a month.  SMH

[ladypanther]

I am using my sister's YouTube TV.  Pretty good.  Lots of sports...more than I would even want and NFL channel.  Basic package lets you have up to 3 users at 1 time.  Does not seem to mind that they are in different states.  It takes a while, but when they figure out where you are watching they show the local channels not matter where the original user is. They are coming up with unlimited user packages.  Nice if you can share it with someone.

I have an old Roku stick.  Good for some free stuff.  Different movies every month.  I am now watching reruns of the TV show Coach.

[Goondal]

When there is something going on (baseball playoffs involving Boston for example), I will buy Sling or Hulu for a month.  Otherwise...

I pay for
ESPN+ (and will as long as the Bundesliga is still on it, probably would without as long as I can afford it)
Amazon Prime (I more than make up for this for the free shipping.  This is a bonus)
Fanatiz (I get beIN Sports and GolTV.  Now that La Liga is on ESPN+ I will probably drop but will miss the other football content)
NBA Hornets Team Package
MLB Red Sox Team Package (pay one year out of three along with father and brother)

I use
Neflix (parents package, they use my ESPN+, would not pay for on my own)
CBS All Access (sister, she and brother in law use Amazon Prime, I would probably pay for on my own for Champion's League if I had to)
HBO MAX (parent's package, I would absolutely pay for this if I had to)
Showtime Anytime (brother's package, he uses my Hornet's package, I would not pay for on my own)

Free Service
YouTube (my wife watches a ton)
Eleven Sports (when I am bored and have nothing else to do, I will watch a random football match from Uzbekistan or some other random place)

[PanthersATL]

19 hours ago, Goondal said:

I use
Netflix (parents package, they use my ESPN+, would not pay for on my own)

Netflix (and other streaming services) are going to start cracking down on password sharing:

• Password sharing is believed to be done by more than 1/2 of Netflix subscribers (thus cutting into Netflix revenue just a smidge)
• One method Netflix is using is to prompt a streamer to enter a 2FA code at random times if they believe that the account is being used outside of the primary location. Sharers may not be happy having to field calls from whomever/whenever so they can Netflix & Chill on someone else's schedule or timezone

https://www.insidewalessport.co.uk/netflix-reveals-more-about-its-plans-to-stop-password-sharing/

There's also a "service" that has cropped up (reported in the news elsewhere this week), where people who are willing to share their account passwords with strangers can do so - and people who want a shared account just need to pony up a portion of the subscription fee rather than the full $15/month (or whatever the service is charging). One drawback for the account owner -- the stranger that's using the account has the ability to change the password/email address/account information as if the account were their own. You just have to trust that they won't

[Goondal]

20 hours ago, PanthersATL said:

Netflix (and other streaming services) are going to start cracking down on password sharing:

• Password sharing is believed to be done by more than 1/2 of Netflix subscribers (thus cutting into Netflix revenue just a smidge)
• One method Netflix is using is to prompt a streamer to enter a 2FA code at random times if they believe that the account is being used outside of the primary location. Sharers may not be happy having to field calls from whomever/whenever so they can Netflix & Chill on someone else's schedule or timezone

https://www.insidewalessport.co.uk/netflix-reveals-more-about-its-plans-to-stop-password-sharing/

There's also a "service" that has cropped up (reported in the news elsewhere this week), where people who are willing to share their account passwords with strangers can do so - and people who want a shared account just need to pony up a portion of the subscription fee rather than the full $15/month (or whatever the service is charging). One drawback for the account owner -- the stranger that's using the account has the ability to change the password/email address/account information as if the account were their own. You just have to trust that they won't

Oh well, I just will not watch Netflix

I do not know if they have changed their tune but I remember hearing multiple times in the past that HBO did not care about password sharing.  Again, that one I would absolutely pay for.  Most other stuff...meh

[PanthersATL]

15 minutes ago, Goondal said:

I remember hearing multiple times in the past that HBO did not care about password sharing. 

The services all care, they're just trying to figure out a way to minimize inappropriate pw sharing while not alienating their paying customers. It's a balancing act.

Hulu offers a $2 plan for college students https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/hulu-unveils-2-plan-for-college-students/ 

50% of college students don't pay for their own Netflix account
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-lifestyle/star-entertainment/why-would-we-pay-when-we-can-get-it-free-students-access

Sharing of Netflix and other streaming services aren't often discussed as collateral during relationship breakups:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/love-is-fleeting-but-netflix-passwords-are-forever-11553697241 and 

 

[holderoftruth]

Pulled the trigger on Youtube TV. We're paying slightly less than our promotional cable rate a month, however, the DVR & specific channels Youtube TV had made it a no brainer. 

Very pleased with the service so far. Seamless streaming and the DVR is impressive. We already have most of our favorite series recorded (The Office, Parks & Rec), no need for Peacock. 

[PanthersATL]

Some T-Mobile customers already received free Netflix.

Today, T-Mobile announced that customers can get a year of AppleTV+ for free.

 

[Shocker]

On 7/23/2021 at 2:28 PM, Goondal said:

Oh well, I just will not watch Netflix

I do not know if they have changed their tune but I remember hearing multiple times in the past that HBO did not care about password sharing.  Again, that one I would absolutely pay for.  Most other stuff...meh

Yeah we dropped Netflix a few months back and haven’t missed it

[PanthersATL]

Well, looks like LoCast may not be around for much longer, maybe.

Today, the US court of Appeals ruled that Locast may be violating broadcasters' "no retransmission" copyright.

Because Locast wasn't charging anything - it merely asked for donations - they felt that they didn't have to ask permission from the stations that they were rebroadcasting.

The EFF (fighting on behalf of Locast) claims that Locast is a non-profit AND helping to ensure that "every American has access to their local broadcast stations". Locast says that their 3m users either can't afford cable or get the local station via OTA means, so this ruling is akin to cutting those 3m users off from local news and info during a pandemic.

=-=-=

Counterpoint: 

The "cut from local news and info during a pandemic" line may not fly much these days, as every local station has some manner of making their news information available online, whether it be streaming off their own website or via some authorized third party distributor such as Amazon Fire's news app, Roku, or others.    Same holds true for the national broadcast content (Hulu, Paramount+, etc)