[opendtv] Re: Punching Above Its Weight, Upstart Netflix Pokes at HBO - NYTimes.com

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:30:06 -0500

Comcast/TW will be the provider of broadband to about 30% of U.S. homes. 

Should make for interesting negotiations about co location of edge servers...

Regards
Craig

> On Feb 19, 2014, at 9:04 PM, "Manfredi, Albert E" 
> <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Craig Birkmaier wrote:
> 
>> They will be one of the primary distributors of Internet TV.
> 
> "They," i.e. the MVPDs, MAY be one of many distributors of Internet TV, but 
> not within the confines of just their walled garden networks. If they want to 
> compete, that is. And there's no reason why plenty of other OTT sites can't 
> also get into the fray.
> 
> The OTT sites need to negotiate terms primarily with the owners of content. 
> That's all. (Secondarily, as we discussed, they may also offer to support 
> servers within ISP networks, or deal with ISPs to get adequate bandwidth 
> guarantees.)
> 
> The owners of content have no reason to insist on JUST getting distribution 
> over legacy MVPD broadcast tiers or JUST over legacy MVPD infrastructure 
> anymore, why should they? As long as broadband access is unblocked by ISPs, 
> the owners of content simply want to maximize their revenues. If the ISPs 
> start playing favorites, e.g. should TWC block Netflix from distribution over 
> its broadband service, I'm willing to bet the FCC would start clamping down 
> big time.
> 
>> And you are wrong about who benefits from the bundles. It is
>> both the content congloms AND The MVPDs
> 
> Again repeating, not necessarily TODAY'S formulation of bundles.
> 
> For example, Viacom would most likely want bundles that include their own 
> content and not a lot of content from Disney or others. With many independent 
> OTT sites, Viacom can explore these other options.
> 
> On the other hand, MVPDs want to create bundles that attract their average 
> viewer, and then their niche audience, without worrying about keeping the 
> different content owners segregated in different bundles. Because separating 
> content owners in different bundles would be a royal pain for the MVPD, when 
> using their broadcast MPEG-2 TS (or analog) tiers.
> 
> If OTT site X promises a bundling package that Viacom likes, emphasizing 
> their content, there's no reason to believe Viacom would object.
> 
> Bert
> 
> 
> 
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