Cordcutter Weekly News Brief - Downloading from Netflix, shorter wait times from theater to streaming, confirmation of YouTube's "Unplugged" OTT service

December 9, 2016 - 19:38 -- RokuGuide

Cordcutter New BriefsIn this week's round-up of recent happenings of interest to all cordcutters, not just Roku users, we look at shorter wait times for movies to be available for streaming, the future of Fox programming on OTT services, an updated Netflix allows downloading to mobile devices, the FCC approves AirTV which combines antenna and WiFi capabilities, and more.

If you don't like waiting weeks for the latest hits to be (legally) available outside of the movie theaters, things may be changing. Fortune reports that "in a potential boon to users of Apple TV, Roku and other online set-top boxes, Hollywood studios are negotiating to reduce the so-called theatrical window to just two to four weeks after a movie's release." It seems that DVD and Blu-ray sales are plummeting, and the studios also hope this will decrease pirating.

Don't expect to see Fox programming follow in the path of other television networks that are launching stand-alone channels such as CBS All Access. Fox CEO James Murdoch has said that Fox prefers to participate in digital streaming services like Sling TV and Hulu. Why? Murdoch said that "we have a lot of experience in the direct-to-consumer business, and it's super hard, super hard managing churn, managing your customer base, which has a different level of expectations when they give you their credit card."

Have you ever wished you could download Netflix videos for viewing while on a long flight, or to reduce cell data usage while away from WiFi? Now you can. Netflix members can now download select streaming series and movies to their Android or iOS devices at no extra cost, and more videos will be added soon. The new feature is included in all plans and available for phones and tablets on Android and iOS.

Dave Zatz of ZatzNotFunny.com reported back in April that DISH Network subsidiary Sling TV and Echostar subsidiary Sling Media had collaborated on a device called AirTV that would incorporate an over-the-air (OTA) tuner and WiFi capability. Last week the FCC cleared EchoStar to import, market and sell the AirTV. AirTV will let Sling TV customers watch local OTA broadcasts and Sling TV over-the-top content through a single box. (If you would prefer to keep your Roku, you can use a Tablo DVR in conjunction with the Tablo TV Roku channel to stream local OTA channels through your Roku device.)

What Will Online Video Look Like in 2026? StreamingMedia.com asked several industry leaders for their thoughts on the future of online video. Here are just a few responses:

  • "The penetration of all digital devices — from mobile phones to smart TVs and next-generation wireless or Wi-Fi home hubs — will blur the lines between what we call online video and what we define as TV."
  • "Our devices within 10 years will be our portal to augmented reality (AR) experiences that tie into the world around us, and as seen by the high resolution cameras on them, these will also help create virtual reality (VR) devices that don’t require the bulky goggles of today."
  • "In 10 years, every event across the globe will be available live online. These events will be broadcasted through high-quality productions and will include various ways for viewers to interact with events across the globe... from anywhere."
  • "Video content production will be dominated by traditional broadcasters, who have decades of experience in this... it will still require the creative skill sets of content producers — something that is currently lacking in the leading technology companies who [are] becoming video-first."

A recent Roku blog post says AT&T's new over-the-top (OTT) streaming service DirecTV NOW will be available on the Roku platform in the first quarter of 2017. Fox News reports, however, that DirecTV Now prices are likely to go up fast. Despite a promise that early subscribers will be locked in at the current promotional price, AT&T also said that they reserve the right to adjust prices as necessary as content expenses rise.

How many OTT streaming TV services do we need? Apparently, Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, and DirecTV NOW aren't enough. CBS CEO Les Moonves accidentally confirmed that YouTube is working on its own TV package. YouTube's paid subscription service, "Unplugged," will compete with cable and satellite television at a reported cost of around $35 per month and should be online in 2017. These rumors have been around for awhile, but YouTube has refused any comment on them.

You may think you're really sticking it to the cable company when you cut the cord, but the pain may not be as bad as you think. According to an analysis by Craig Moffett at MoffettNathanson, reported by FierceCable, Comcast loses just $5.50 per cordcutter. When you cut cable TV, your cable Internet bill is likely to go up because you lose the bundling discount (estimated at $25 in the analysis). Moffett assumes that half of cordcutters will increase their Internet speed for an additional $15 per month. All of this results in a net loss to Comcast of just over five bucks a month. However, the assumption that half of cordcutters pay for faster Internet is based on a survey that found that "49% of U.S. consumers polled said they'd be willing to upgrade their internet service if they dropped pay TV for over-the-top video." Many of those consumers are likely to change their mind when they realize how much their Internet bill jumps when they lose the bundling discount.