[opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows
- From: Craig Birkmaier <brewmastercraig@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 10:38:57 -0400
On May 9, 2016, at 10:43 PM, Manfredi, Albert E
<albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
To me, these are also hail maries, similar to the TVE scheme.
TVE is hardly a Hail Mary. It is a well thought out strategy to make the
content people are paying the MVPD services available away from the umbilical,
not to mention providing access to the libraries of shows from each of the MVPD
networks.
And TVE is growing rapidly, now that most networks offer the service and the
MVPDs are promoting it.
This quote gives the legacy MVPD's perspective on the matter:
"The logic behind these partnerships is that consumers are going to use
services like Netflix and Hulu anyway. Adding them to the cable box takes
away the need for an over-the-top streaming device like Roku or Apple TV,
which could entice consumers to cut the cord entirely."
This might be closer to a Hail Mary, IF the subscriber is leaning toward
cutting the cord. On the other hand, it is a way to integrate multiple services
through one box, to avoid the inconvenience of switching inputs, remotes etc.
It should be obvious that the FCC's attempts to open up the market for STBs
will lead to similar products from third party vendors of boxes. It only makes
sense for the MVPDs to compete, in order to retain as many subscribers as
possible that will continue paying the monthly box rental fee.
It's a way to continue to make subscribers dependent on the rented box and on
the legacy MVPD subscription, even for content that uses IP, needs no extra
box in the path (well, except for a generic modem, when at home), and also
needs no legacy MVPD subscription.
OTT services do need a device to use the service. It could be a Smart TV, but
in most cases it is a Roku, AppleTV, Chromecast, or Amazon Fire box. The fact
remains that the vast majority of homes continue to subscribe to Cable, FIOS,
or one of the DBS services. And most have two or more devices attached to the
TV to access programming.
Someone who can be satisfied without all the MVPD MPEG-2 TS broadcast streams
wouldn't be particularly interested, I would think. Kind of defeats the
purpose of IP delivery being able to bypass the legacy walled garden MVPD
model.
That's not the point. Most people want BOTH. Obviously those who do not want to
pay for a MVPD bundle will not be interested in a box from a MVPD that
integrates both legacy MPEG-TS streams with OTT services. Likewise, they will
not be interested in third party boxes that do the same, like the TiVo Bolt.
"Except, Suddenlink customers still need another streaming box if they want
to make full use of their Hulu subscription, and happen to be a fan of a CW
or Univision show. The same is true for Cablevision Optimum subscribers,
Variety has learned."
This one is a little odd, but like the article suggests, it might be simply
the local Univision and CW stations not wanting to become irrelevant. The
Hulu service must not be like CBS All Access, which uses the local broadcast
station as its live CBS source.
Is called contracts for rights Bert. The specifics here are not clear, but may
involve individual stations. Likewise, CBS All Access does not provide access
to a local CBS affiliate in many markets where stations have not agreed to
become part of the service.
Hail maries. Next evolutionary step is the Suddenlinks and other MVPDs to
compete more directly against the Hulus and Netflixes.
Or Hulu to compete against the MVPDs with OTT MVPD bundles. It will be
interesting to see how the FCC and DOJ deal with this new competitive
environment...
Still waiting on the FCC to release a Report and Order in the VMVPD proceeding.
Regards
Craig
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Other related posts:
- » [opendtv] Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Daniel Grimes
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Manfredi, Albert E
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows - Craig Birkmaier
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Manfredi, Albert E
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Craig Birkmaier
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Manfredi, Albert E
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Craig Birkmaier
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Manfredi, Albert E
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Craig Birkmaier
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Manfredi, Albert E
- » [opendtv] Re: Hulu Goes Live On Suddenlink Cable Boxes, But Without CW and Univision Shows- Craig Birkmaier