These days, there are a whole lot more TV viewing options than there were just a few years ago. That’s because with high-speed internet in most homes, having coaxial cable in your wall or a satellite dish on your roof are no longer the only ways to watch television. In most instances, multiple opportunities exist to tailor your needs for both programming and pricing options.
There are basically two categories for viewing video programming; advertising-supported and subscription-based (There’s also an emerging hybrid category which we will get to). Within those two broad categories, each has two subcategories. So without further ado, let’s hack our way though the jungle that is the current state of TV.
Let’s start with the free/advertising supported category. Its first subcategory is an oldie but a goodie - connecting an antenna to your television set. As long as you are close enough to the transmitter location or have a strong antenna, you can receive over sixty-five channels in the Chicago market. They range from major network programs to niche movie and television shows such as sitcoms and drama reruns, old westerns, science fiction, shopping, foreign language and religious choices. There are even news and weather channels. I must add that in order to meaningfully watch all these channels, it would be helpful to speak multiple languages.
The second advertising supported subcategory requires both an internet connection and a device that is capable of receiving its programming. Examples include "Smart” TVs or streaming devices sold by companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google and Roku. There are now over two hundred single channel advertising supported options which offer a wide variety of programming. These include much of what an antenna offers as well as other choices such as movies, network news, some sports and a lot of older and niche programming like reruns of variety and late-night talk shows. This subcategory also includes one-stop channels which offer multiple choices within its single channel. These so-called "FAST” (Free Advertising Supported Television) channels include names like Freevee, Pluto, Sling Freestream, Roku Channel, Stirr, Tubi and XUMO. Even TV manufacturers have started their own FAST service such as Samsung TV Plus. They even look like a cable service, including a viewer guide. However, due to rights fees and legal issues, you should not expect many top-tier offerings and channels will vary from service-to-service.
The other category of viewing is paid, subscription-based, which also includes two subcategories. Until recently, this was the domain of cable, satellite and phone companies since you needed either a coaxial cable or a satellite dish in order to view its programming. High-speed home internet has now allowed many new options into this arena which was once dominated by just a few companies.
The first subscription subcategory is the single channel service. While YouTube had been around as a streaming service for a while, Netflix gets a lot of credit as the first company to take streaming video into homes. They started as a competitor to Blockbuster (remember them?) as a company that shipped videos to your home and morphed into what they are today. Their first original program was the quirky "Lilyhammer”, which starred Steven Van Zandt of E. Street Band and "The Sopranos" fame. If you have never seen it, I highly suggest you check "Lilyhammer” out. The tipping point came with their hit shows, "House of Cards” and "Orange is the New Black”. With Netflix’s success, the floodgates opened and many new entries dove right into the stream. Netflix now faces competition from among others, Apple+, Hulu, Prime, Max, Peacock and Paramount+. There are also many specialty subscription services such as ESPN+, PBS Passport, Britbox, Discovery+ and IndieFlix. Needless to say, the stream is full.
The second subscription subcategory is the competition that Cable and Satellite providers face from online multichannel competitors such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling TV and YouTube TV. Even satellite provider, DirecTV has its own streaming service. While each has its own channel lineup, they offer many of the same features that you will find on Cable or Satellite TV. And they are giving those poor guys a run for their money. As an aside, there is a third subcategory called IPTV (Internet Protocal Television) which I am not getting into on this post becasue of potential legal and criminal issues. I would avoid IPTV and am thinking of doing a separate post about it.
As if that isn’t enough, a hybrid model has now emerged. Most subscription channels such as Max, Netflix, Hulu, Peacock and Paramount+ now offer multiple pricing tiers which include lesser-priced options in exchange for some commercials. So, you can pay more for no commercials or pay less and watch the adventures of Flo and LiMu Emu.
It’s now gotten to the point where everything that was old is new again. TV antennas and commercials on subscription-based services are making it seem like we never left the good-old days. Remember when Netflix first came out? Many people were willing to pay in order to receive unique programming and to avoid commercials. But Netflix’s success begot so many competitors that no one is making money. In fact, some are burning money so fast that the flames could heat a cold December night in Chicago. That’s why commercials have made a big comeback. We hardly had time to miss them.
Simply put, there are too many subscription streaming services. That’s why the first domino fell at the "Mouse House" with Disney's purchase of the remaining 33% of Hulu from Comcast. This makes them the 100% owner of both Disney+ and Hulu. While both services remain available as of this writing, a merger of the two seems inevitable. This may very well be the first merger shot fired in a battle for the streaming hearts, minds and budgets of Americans. That’s because at some point, unless you happen to be owned by Amazon (Prime TV) or Apple (Apple+), who can use their channels as loss-leaders, the bleeding must stop. In fact, Disney now owns 100% of three streaming services because they also own ESPN+. So, the obvious marketing ploy here is to put all three together and sell the whole shebang for one price. Which is exactly what they do and call "The Disney Bundle”.
Which (finally) brings us to the title of this post - bundling. As we all try to make sense of this mess, it’s almost impossible to find the channel or program that we are looking for without playing a game of remote control hide and seek. There are just too many options that, up until now, have not been playing nice together in the TV sandbox. For example, if I’m watching "The Morning Show” and want to change to see "Fargo”, it can take several moves of my remote to get there. And that’s only if I can remember that "The Morning Show” is on Apple TV+ and "Fargo” is on Hulu. You see, as opposed to a radio station like WXRT (where I worked for many years), we are not loyal to the streaming service as much as we are to the program. Who cares what service it’s on. Just get me to the damn show! That’s why everyone is trying to figure out how to bundle all of this stuff in one place so that it’s easier to go from one streaming service or TV channel to another. And while some small steps have recently been made in this area, we are still one giant leap away from having one system where we can seamlessly change channels or programs, regardless of where they come from.
Bundling all the different ways that we view TV is the next frontier. In fact, (giving the devil it’s due) cable companies like Comcast have been at the forefront of including some streaming services as well as its cable channels in their viewer guide. DirecTV also has bundle choices available on its guide. Consumers are demanding easier ways to view their favorite TV channels and shows and don’t give a hoot if that channel comes from a cable, satellite or streaming service. That’s why I believe we are going to see more technology emerge which will make it easier for us to escape this bundle jungle. I will be monitoring this, so watch this space.
Since I retired from managing several Chicago radio stations, I've spent my time researching Cellular, Internet and Cable/Satellite/Streaming TV services and costs. I discovered that companies are really good at playing corporate Whack-a-Mole. Deals are constantly changing, with lots of fine print and hidden costs. Armed with time and knowledge, I’ve saved households from hundreds to even thousands of dollars, most of which are ongoing. I also offer in-home device assistance. For a free Tech Check of your bills, please email hmwellsradio@gmail.com or visit www.lowertechbills.com because you may not have the time to find all the savings, but I do.
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