Streaming fatigue

[Badsmerf]

Is Vue getting cancelled a function of the cable channels asking for too much money? Perhaps Sony didn't see enough revenue potential to keep up with the service. Without original content, it would be tough to compete. I suppose there is Sony studios, but they'd have a long way to catch up to Netflix, Prime, and D+.

[biggentleben]

I had vue on my appletv and iPhone. I didn’t need my PS hardware to use it.

 

As far as I could tell, it wasnt strictly Sony media like D+ is strictly Disney. They may have wanted to be less tied to the Sony publishing. I cancelled vue for much the same reason I cut the cord. I didn’t use it enough.

Oh, I know you didn’t need the hardware, but the attachment to PS led many to believe they had to own one of their gaming systems in order to use the service. It’s a marketing/branding issue that was there from day one.

 

The other end of things is that individual networks haven’t tried to go on their own and failed yet. That will come for sure, and perhaps something with the depth of Vue may succeed then. So far no one else has been quite as ambitious with channel offerings, and stations id like are not together on any non-satellite/cable service, but it was not yet Vue’s time.

[biggentleben]

Is Vue getting cancelled a function of the cable channels asking for too much money? Perhaps Sony didn't see enough revenue potential to keep up with the service. Without original content, it would be tough to compete. I suppose there is Sony studios, but they'd have a long way to catch up to Netflix, Prime, and D+.

That’s what it sounds like. Vue saw a huge drop in subscribers when raising prices to meet channel demands and was never able to offer the “a la carte” option that was part of their release hype as a future thing down the road due to channel prices. It got to a point where another big price hike was coming or shut it down, and they chose the latter, likely not sure they’d survive the former.

[howeda7]

 

I'm very conscious about the streaming platforms I pay for and rotate quite a bit over the year.

The reason I cut the cord in the first place many years ago was to have a cheaper alternative to cable. Now if you're not careful you can end up spending $100+ a month for streaming alone!

Netflix $12
Showtime $11
Hulu (no ads) $13
HBO Now $15
Amazon Prime $9
Disney + $7
ESPN + $7
Apple TV $5

All of it adds up quickly... I'm sure I'm forgetting some services on the list.

There's a Hulu/Disney+/ESPN+ bundle for ~$13/month. Currently I pay for Hulu, Netflix and Amazon, pls I still have DirecTV. I am thinking of upgrading to Hulu/ESPN bundle and dropping Netflix. I rarely watch Amazon, but I don't have it for the video streaming anyway.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It is about streaming fatigue....

Think what you want Brock. I think Americans watch too much TV. I think it is a contributing factor to obesity. I'm just suggesting alternatives.

Yes, Americans watch too much TV in the aggregate.

 

Casting the blanket "turn off the TV" is an entirely different statement, one that is super-judgmental.

[Vanimal46]

There's a Hulu/Disney+/ESPN+ bundle for ~$13/month. Currently I pay for Hulu, Netflix and Amazon, pls I still have DirecTV. I am thinking of upgrading to Hulu/ESPN bundle and dropping Netflix. I rarely watch Amazon, but I don't have it for the video streaming anyway.

That makes sense to bundle since they're all owned by FOX/Disney. Does ESPN+ also give access to live sports being played on ESPN normally? I don't have interest watching their hawt taek debate shows...

 

It's amazing how we all paid for Amazon Prime video but never use it. Can't remember the last time I clicked on the app to see what shows they have available.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

That makes sense to bundle since they're all owned by FOX/Disney. Does ESPN+ also give access to live sports being played on ESPN normally? I don't have interest watching their hawt taek debate shows...

 

It's amazing how we all paid for Amazon Prime video but never use it. Can't remember the last time I clicked on the app to see what shows they have available.

I got Prime for the freight. I watch Prime the most.

 

Originals I really like

 

The Expanse

Jack Ryan

Man In The High Castle

Fleabag

Catastrophe

The Tick

 

Also get Thursday Night Football

It pretty much replaces Netflix for the “watch a cruddy movie on a whim” for me.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It's amazing how we all paid for Amazon Prime video but never use it. Can't remember the last time I clicked on the app to see what shows they have available.

Frankly, you're missing out. I'd cancel Netflix before Prime Video. Their original content is fantastic, much better than what Netflix has been doing since they axed the Marvel shows.

 

Just scan their stuff for the "Emmy" banner and you'll be in for a load of delicious content.

[biggentleben]

 

Frankly, you're missing out. I'd cancel Netflix before Prime Video. Their original content is fantastic, much better than what Netflix has been doing since they axed the Marvel shows.

 

Just scan their stuff for the "Emmy" banner and you'll be in for a load of delicious content.

 

As a Tom Clancy fan, they've done Jack Ryan beyond even my highest expectations. I won't be getting rid of Prime Video anytime soon and have set up a pretty sizable watchlist there.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

As a Tom Clancy fan, they've done Jack Ryan beyond even my highest expectations. I won't be getting rid of Prime Video anytime soon and have set up a pretty sizable watchlist there.

But the second season was bleeeeeeeeehhhhhhh.

 

Jack Ryan is about using smarts to figure out a problem and if he enters danger, he's out of his element.

 

The second season was about Jack Ryan, Captain Bad Ass.

 

It was pretty weak.

[biggentleben]

 

But the second season was bleeeeeeeeehhhhhhh.

 

Jack Ryan is about using smarts to figure out a problem and if he enters danger, he's out of his element.

 

The second season was about Jack Ryan, Captain Bad Ass.

 

It was pretty weak.

 

I won't disagree there, but the books often did the same thing. He'd have moments of being this superstar combat guy but then an entire book where he was the background guy directing frontline operatives.

[Mike Sixel]

I watch prime more than any other channel.

[Badsmerf]

I love prime. You need to watch The Boys. Best super hero show ever made.

[biggentleben]

I love prime. You need to watch The Boys. Best super hero show ever made.

It was very well done. Casting was tremendous, IMO.

[howeda7]

 

That makes sense to bundle since they're all owned by FOX/Disney. Does ESPN+ also give access to live sports being played on ESPN normally? I don't have interest watching their hawt taek debate shows...

It's amazing how we all paid for Amazon Prime video but never use it. Can't remember the last time I clicked on the app to see what shows they have available.

ESPN+ does have some exclusive sports, but it's mostly small conference college football/basketball from what I've seen (like MAC, American, etc.) Yes, you can also stream the regular ESPN channels I believe. Not 100% sure.

[Otto von Ballpark]

ESPN+ does have some exclusive sports, but it's mostly small conference college football/basketball from what I've seen (like MAC, American, etc.) Yes, you can also stream the regular ESPN channels I believe. Not 100% sure.

ESPN+ does *not* have the regular ESPN channels. It's an addon service, not a replacement for anything.

[howeda7]

 

ESPN+ does *not* have the regular ESPN channels. It's an addon service, not a replacement for anything.

OK. Well if you subscribe to another service, the regular ESPN app lets you stream them. Seems like they could make it less complicated.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

OK. Well if you subscribe to another service, the regular ESPN app lets you stream them. Seems like they could make it less complicated.

They could, but ESPN's business model is crashing like a rock. They're desperately clinging to whatever cable revenue they can hold on to because no one cares about them anymore (they used to be the highest-revenue cable channel, dunno if they are now).

 

A smart business would have pivoted years ago. ESPN is not a smart business.

 

But that's funny because they're owned by a VERY smart business. I've never really figured out why ESPN never gets it together.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

They could, but ESPN's business model is crashing like a rock. They're desperately clinging to whatever cable revenue they can hold on to because no one cares about them anymore (they used to be the highest-revenue cable channel, dunno if they are now).

 

A smart business would have pivoted years ago. ESPN is not a smart business.

 

But that's funny because they're owned by a VERY smart business. I've never really figured out why ESPN never gets it together.

Disney channel for Disney is very small potatoes. Disney makes it's money on licensing of characters...

 

Cable TV revenue is pretty much all ESPN has. The timing of when you alienate cable companies matters, but they may have waited too long and now may risk getting direct subscribers.

 

I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why ESPN was held onto when they purchased ABC. I suppose wring the dollars out until it dies...

[howeda7]

I think the bottoming out of revenue for the ESPN's of the world is near though. Most people who want to cut the cord have done so, and many of those are now subscribing through YouTube/Hulu etc. The sports rights fees have also peaked and even come down some as a result.

[biggentleben]

 

I think the bottoming out of revenue for the ESPN's of the world is near though. Most people who want to cut the cord have done so, and many of those are now subscribing through YouTube/Hulu etc. The sports rights fees have also peaked and even come down some as a result.

 

And now we will see it in our local teams. While there have been some larger contracts handed out in free agency this offseason, also note how many very quality players were just non-tendered. I mentioned last year that the economics of television deals forever going up by astronomical percentages was over, and teams know it, players know it, and smart players last spring cashed in significantly on extensions.

[howeda7]

 

And now we will see it in our local teams. While there have been some larger contracts handed out in free agency this offseason, also note how many very quality players were just non-tendered. I mentioned last year that the economics of television deals forever going up by astronomical percentages was over, and teams know it, players know it, and smart players last spring cashed in significantly on extensions.

Perhaps. I think the MN teams, the Twins especially, will not be as effected because they never had astronomical TV deals to begin with. They kind of missed the boat timing-wise when Victory Sports flopped and then they went back hat in hand to FS North. Smart teams like the Dodgers and Rangers got themselves massive 25-year deals. The Fox Sports Networks are being sold to Sinclair. Will be interested to see how that changes things.

[Vanimal46]

YouTube TV posted a blog this morning introducing a new 4K add on service. Now if you want the base package, plus 4K 1 year promo price is $75 a month. On top of your Netflix, HBO, Disney +, and other streaming services. 
 

This is getting to be too expensive. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

YouTube TV posted a blog this morning introducing a new 4K add on service. Now if you want the base package, plus 4K 1 year promo price is $75 a month. On top of your Netflix, HBO, Disney +, and other streaming services. 
 

This is getting to be too expensive. 

75 a month? Wowsers.

I'm not sure they understood what we said when we said we wanted choice........

Also, this falls under beware what you ask for, right? It is a lot less profitable to charge millions of people money, and market to them, and manage all that, than to sell to a handful of cable/satellite companies....

I wonder what the streaming bubble bursting looks like? I read A LOT of people complaining about still watching ads on Peacock, even after paying for the "privilege". 

[howeda7]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

YouTube TV posted a blog this morning introducing a new 4K add on service. Now if you want the base package, plus 4K 1 year promo price is $75 a month. On top of your Netflix, HBO, Disney +, and other streaming services. 
 

This is getting to be too expensive. 

Honestly DirecTV is just as cheap as the streaming services now. You can haggle them down pretty easily. And at least you can watch the Twins.

[Vanimal46]

6 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Honestly DirecTV is just as cheap as the streaming services now. You can haggle them down pretty easily. And at least you can watch the Twins.

Yeah, the delta in price between cable/satellite and streaming services is almost nonexistent now. The only pro in streaming’s favor is freedom to sign up and cancel anytime. If cable companies tear up their contracts I’m sure a lot of people would go back. 
 

Personally I haven’t gone back to use YouTube TV since May 2020. It dawned on me that I was spending $50-60 a month to watch re-runs of Dateline and 20/20. 

[howeda7]

3 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Yeah, the delta in price between cable/satellite and streaming services is almost nonexistent now. The only pro in streaming’s favor is freedom to sign up and cancel anytime. If cable companies tear up their contracts I’m sure a lot of people would go back. 
 

Personally I haven’t gone back to use YouTube TV since May 2020. It dawned on me that I was spending $50-60 a month to watch re-runs of Dateline and 20/20. 

I finally cancelled Netflix after about 9 years of watching it 3-4 times/year. The only streaming I pay for his Hulu and Amazon Prime. My DirecTV bill is still to high, but only because I pay for the sports pack/Sunday Ticket which are both worth it to me. My parents have their bill down to about $70/month for just the basic 2nd tier package.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I cancelled Hulu for a while, wife talked me into bringing it back. Now that I’m done with school, I’ve got a little time again!

against my wishes, even though it’s technically “free” for a year, we added Apple+. There’s only one show worth watching, but it’s REALLY AWESOME. Ted Lasso is sooo goood. As soon as season 2 is done in cancelling A+.

if I mysteriously disappear, I probably mustered the courage to cancel Netflix and my wife murdered me for it

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Sconnie said:

I cancelled Hulu for a while, wife talked me into bringing it back. Now that I’m done with school, I’ve got a little time again!

against my wishes, even though it’s technically “free” for a year, we added Apple+. There’s only one show worth watching, but it’s REALLY AWESOME. Ted Lasso is sooo goood. As soon as season 2 is done in cancelling A+.

if I mysteriously disappear, I probably mustered the courage to cancel Netflix and my wife murdered me for it

It's been good knowing you. No jury will convict her.

[TheLeviathan]

On 6/28/2021 at 11:10 AM, Vanimal46 said:

Yeah, the delta in price between cable/satellite and streaming services is almost nonexistent now. The only pro in streaming’s favor is freedom to sign up and cancel anytime. If cable companies tear up their contracts I’m sure a lot of people would go back. 
 

Personally I haven’t gone back to use YouTube TV since May 2020. It dawned on me that I was spending $50-60 a month to watch re-runs of Dateline and 20/20. 

There are other pros as well, streaming has less advertisements and more flexibility in how you watch at the most basic levels.  

I do think we'll see the streaming services start to consolidate or bundle.  We're already seeing it.