Cable companies to encourage pirating again

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evolving landscape of cable and streaming services, particularly focusing on the authentication model being adopted by cable companies and networks. Participants express their views on the implications of these changes for consumers, the role of content creators, and the overall business model of content delivery.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that cable companies are out of touch with consumer preferences and are struggling to adapt to changes in viewing habits.
  • Others highlight the financial motivations behind the authentication model, suggesting that it primarily serves the interests of cable companies rather than consumers.
  • A participant notes that Hulu's shift towards requiring cable subscriptions for access to certain content reflects a broader trend of restricting online access based on cable affiliation.
  • Some express a desire for a direct payment model to content creators, indicating a preference for bypassing traditional distributors altogether.
  • There is a discussion about the potential downsides of an à la carte content delivery system, with concerns that it may lead to a homogenization of content as popular networks dominate.
  • Several participants share their negative experiences with Hulu Plus, criticizing its value proposition and the perceived lack of additional features.
  • One participant mentions the reliability issues with broadcast TV in rural areas, explaining their reliance on Dish for news and occasional programming.
  • Suggestions are made for creating an online TV outlet that could provide educational content, such as BBC's "Planet Earth," which some participants find appealing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the effectiveness or desirability of the current business models. Disagreement exists regarding the implications of the authentication model and the future of content delivery.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various limitations and frustrations with current streaming services, including the dependency on cable subscriptions and the perceived lack of consumer-friendly options. The discussion reflects a mix of personal experiences and broader industry observations.

Greg Bernhardt
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The move toward authentication is fueled by cable companies and networks looking to protect and profit from their content. The effort comes as entertainment companies continue to face drastic shifts in home viewing habits. Overall spending on home entertainment edged up 2.5 percent to $4.45 billion in the first quarter as a surge in digital streaming — which rose more than fivefold to $549 million — offset a continuing collapse in video rentals, according to Digital Entertainment Group. ... Hulu racked up some $420 million in ad revenue last year and is expected to do well in this year’s ad negotiations. But the move toward authentication, which could take years to complete, will make cable companies happy because it could slow cord-cutting by making cable subscribing more attractive.

It's amazing how clueless these guys are! I cut the cable cord 3 years ago and will never go back. I'm still super ticked I can't get ESPN3 unless I get a cable subscription.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/tv_in_real_dime_ph0GiKk7rC9agDUEkHae2I
 
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It is a bit shocking how completely out of touch the cable companies are. At one point during my lifetime, cable companies were considered high tech. It was a cutting-edge industry. Now, it seems like they're luddites incapable of adaptation.
 
Wait, this is about non-cable companies, like Hulu striking deals with cable companies to restrict their online access to cable users.

In fact, the move by Hulu toward the new model — called authentication because viewers would have to log in with their cable or satellite TV account number — was behind the move last week by Providence Equity Partners to cash out of Hulu after five years, these sources said.

So Hulu is a turn coat. Not saying cable companies aren't gladly working these deals.

It's all based on money. No one is doing anything for the consumer out of the goodness of their heart.

Who needs tv, I have PF!

Hulu made their first deal last year with DISH. If you wanted to watch a show the next day, you had to be a DISH customer and they told people that were blocked from viewing to contact their cable or satellite provider to make a deal with Hulu if we wanted to watch shows next day, otherwise wait 8 days. I gladly waited the 8 days. Heck it was only the one time I'd miss a show anyway. No big deal.
 
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Greg, start an online tv station! Count me in as your first paying customer!
 
I think I'd be happier if we could cut out the distributors altogether and just pay the content creators directly. I'd be much more willing to subscribe to, say HBO or Showtime if I didn't also have to have a cable package along with it. Let me give HBO $10 or $15 a month directly for access to any of their shows online, and I'd be on that.

The BBC is doing that, I believe. They launched "global" access to their iPlayer app to 11 counties (not including the US), and are looking into giving access here too. Hopefully, they release it for the US, because I'd pay for that in a second.
 
The à la carte method of content delivery does sound appealing. But one has to wonder, if network X is making all the money, then networks 1,2,3,...,n would follow X. Nothing new comes from that. Look at all the cookie cutter "blockbuster" movies and such we have now. There is something to say for purchasing a sort of package deal (cable) which essentially subsidizes low popularity or niche channels.

PS: I had hulu plus this past week and already canceled it. Really hulu, you're going to list shows and movies like I can watch them and then link me to HBO.com or something when I click and try to sell me cable packages?? Back to netflix...
 
QuarkCharmer said:
PS: I had hulu plus this past week and already canceled it. Really hulu, you're going to list shows and movies like I can watch them and then link me to HBO.com or something when I click and try to sell me cable packages?? Back to netflix...

No kidding! I tried Hulu Plus and couldn't even figure out what extra features I was getting. I canceled almost immediately.
 
If you get hulu plus basically all you get is the shows that are delayed a week normally are available immediately after they air.

It's all based on money. No one is doing anything for the consumer out of the goodness of their heart.

Of course not, they're all in the business to make money.

I think this is evolving into a reasonable business model. You have a middleman, like Verizon, which you pay money to. In return they get you access to all the sites like espn3, hulu, hbogo etc. So instead of having to manage subscriptions to every channel/show you want to watch, you get them all at once
 
Office_Shredder said:
Of course not, they're all in the business to make money.

I think this is evolving into a reasonable business model.

Really? I think this is evolving away from a reasonable business model, with all the outrage I've heard.
 
  • #10
I have Dish, simply because the broadcast TV is unreliable or unavailable, and there is no cable out here. Counting this house, there are 8 houses on this stretch of road leading to Route 201 (where the cable passes). 8 Houses (one unoccupied) in over 2 miles...nope! no cable ever.

The only time I actually watch TV is for the news. If Dish is on at other times, it's so I can listen to BB King's Bluesville mix on Sirius XM. We have a collection of favorite movies on DVD and the DVD player gets more performance time than Dish.

There is a PBS show about Jesse Owens tonight (8 Eastern), and I'll probably watch that. There is little or nothing on TV that interests me, though. Dish will stay because my wife likes to unwind after work by watching Law and Order or NCIS.

Greg, if you take Evo's advice and start an on-line TV outlet, you could begin by looping BBC's "Planet Earth" videos (the Attenborough narration, please). Educational and entertaining for young and old. I hate seeing kids parked in front of a screen for hours, but "Planet Earth" would be a welcome exception.
 
  • #11
turbo said:
Greg, if you take Evo's advice and start an on-line TV outlet, you could begin by looping BBC's "Planet Earth" videos (the Attenborough narration, please). Educational and entertaining for young and old. I hate seeing kids parked in front of a screen for hours, but "Planet Earth" would be a welcome exception.

Slightly tangential to the discussion but I was given the Planet Earth series on Blu-Ray by a family member and it really does look superb in 1080p in addition to being expertly narrated. Almost worth my license fee by itself.
 

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