HiTechEdge

Category: Streaming TV

All news related to streaming TV and cord-cutting.

  • Sling Rebrands Its Free Tier As ‘Sling Freestream’

    Sling Rebrands Its Free Tier As ‘Sling Freestream’

    Sling TV rebranded its free tier in February, representing one of the best deals in the streaming TV market.

    Sling TV is one of the oldest and biggest TV streaming services. In recent years, however, it has been eclipsed by YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, and others. Nonetheless, Sling remains one of the best deals on the market, and its rebranded free tier solidifies that reputation.

    Called “Sling Freestream,” Sling’s free tier includes “more than 210 channels and 41,000 on-demand titles – for free,” thanks to ad-supported programming.

    “Sling Freestream is a great new service that helps meet consumers’ evolving needs,” said Gary Schanman, group president, Sling TV. “We know some people want free content, some may want a year-round paid subscription, while others may want to subscribe for certain events or shows. We have coupled world-class content with the option to easily flex in and out of premium pay TV, creating a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience.”

    “On top of the popular content and a seamless user experience, Sling Freestream provides a premium advertising experience that benefits viewers and advertisers alike,” Schanman added. “Built on the same advertising tech that powers SLING, Freestream is yet another opportunity for us to lead, innovate and deliver a greater impact for our advertisers.”

    The free service supports a wide range of streaming hardware and smart TVs. Users can sign up here.

  • Star Wars: The Bad Batch Returning for a Third and Final Season

    Star Wars: The Bad Batch Returning for a Third and Final Season

    Lucasfilm announced Monday that its hit animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch will be returning for a third and final season.

    The Bad Batch follows Clone Force 99, a group of clones that have unique abilities and did not follow Order 66 to attack the Jedi. In the aftermath of the Jedi and Republic’s fall and the rise of the Empire, Clone Force 99 is trying to find its way, all while protecting Omega, a young clone who is their sister.

    Much like Star Trek is best when it’s on the small screen, Star Wars does some of its best storytelling in animated series, and The Bad Batch is no exception.

    Fans of the series will enjoy one more season, with Season Three set to debut in 2024.

  • Disney Delivers Mixed News on Its Disney+ Streaming Platform

    Disney Delivers Mixed News on Its Disney+ Streaming Platform

    Disney turned in its quarterly results, including a mixed bag of news regarding its Disney+ and other streaming services.

    Disney+ gained some 12 million subscribers from the previous quarter, bringing the platform’s total to 164.2 million. The company’s total streaming subscribers, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu has now topped 235 million subscribers. This is an increase over the previous quarter’s 221 million.

    “2022 was a strong year for Disney, with some of our best storytelling yet, record results at our Parks, Experiences and Products segment, and outstanding subscriber growth at our direct-to-consumer services, which added nearly 57 million subscriptions this year for a total of more than 235 million,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Our fourth quarter saw strong subscription growth with the addition of 14.6 million total subscriptions, including 12.1 million Disney+ subscribers.”

    Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news for the streaming services, with increased costs leading to a larger loss than the previous quarter.

    Direct-to-Consumer revenues for the quarter increased 8% to $4.9 billion and operating loss increased $0.8 billion to $1.5 billion. The increase in operating loss was due to a higher loss at Disney+ and a decrease in results at Hulu, partially offset by improved results at ESPN+.

  • Sling TV Raises Prices

    Sling TV Raises Prices

    Sling TV has announced it is raising prices, citing increased programming costs and rising inflation.

    Sling TV is one of the more popular streaming TV platforms, appealing to users with its low pricing and à la carte package selection. Unfortunately, users are in for a price hike, with the company sending out an email to explain the increased charges.

    “Thanks for being a valued Sling TV subscriber,” the email reads.

    “Sling always fights for our customers and works with programming partners to keep costs as low as possible. Due to a continuous rise in programming costs and record inflation, Sling Orange + Sling Blue will increase by $5.”

    The company does say that the price increase will not apply to extras, premium channel pricing, or other Sling TV services.

  • HBO Max and Discovery+ Will Merge to Create New Streaming Service

    HBO Max and Discovery+ Will Merge to Create New Streaming Service

    Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav has said HBO Max and Discovery+ will merge to form a new, larger streaming service.

    WarnerMedia and Discovery joined forces in May 2021 in an effort to take on larger streaming rivals. The combined company is taking it a step further, according to NBC News, with plans to merge HBO Max and Discovery+ to form an even larger streaming platform.

    According to the company’s earnings report, the two streaming platforms collectively have some 92 million subscribers. Executives did not offer a name for the new service, but said it would launch in the US in the summer of 2023.

    The company’s goal is to have 130 million subscribers by 2025 and may introduce a free, ad-supported tier in an effort to reach that target.

  • Google CEO Makes Connected TVs a “Top Priority”

    Google CEO Makes Connected TVs a “Top Priority”

    The battle over the streaming TV market is heating up, with connected TVs a “top priority” at Google.

    Streaming TV is quickly gaining ground and threatening traditional cable and satellite TV. Connected TVs are seen as the gateway to the market. Once a company gets their TV operating system installed as the default, they have a tremendous amount of power over what other apps can be installed, and often get a cut of revenue from the various streaming platforms the customer ends up using.

    According to The Information, via Forbes, Google has recently increased the amount of money it’s willing to spend to gain that coveted foothold. Whereas industry leader Roku pays manufacturers $7 to $8 per TV to be installed by default, Google has upped its payout to $10 to $15.

    The change in focus comes directly from Pichai and, according to The Information, is an attempt to change the perception of Google being “half-hearted” in its efforts in the TV industry, thanks largely to Chromecast and Android TV.

  • Google TV Expanding Multiple Accounts and Personalization

    Google TV Expanding Multiple Accounts and Personalization

    Google TV is making some major improvements, adding more personalized profiles, suggestions and watchlists.

    Google TV already supported multiple accounts, but the watchlists, suggestions and Google Assistant-based features are linked to the primary profile. According to The Verge, Google is preparing to remedy that, offering a true personalized experience.

    The new features will ensure each profile sees its own watchlist and suggestions, and has its own Google Assistant features.

    Google told The Verge that the new features will begin rolling out next month.

  • DirecTV Now Offering PBS

    DirecTV Now Offering PBS

    DirecTV has become the second streaming service to offer PBS and its member stations.

    PBS, as well as its member stations, has traditionally been noticeably absent from streaming TV services. Until now, YouTube TV was the only service to offer it, and only since earlier this year.

    PBS and DirecTV have reached an agreement for the latter to offer its customers PBS content, beginning later this year.

    “Entertainment is personal and should serve every member of the household, which is why we’re partnering with PBS to deliver DIRECTV STREAM customers more choice, more control and a more convenient way to access the content they care about most,” said Rob Thun, Chief Content Officer for DIRECTV. 

    “As viewer habits continue to evolve, PBS remains committed to making our award-winning, national and local content available to all Americans across as many platforms as possible. This partnership will allow PBS and our member stations to expand our digital footprint and reach more viewers with content that inspires, educates and entertains,” said Ira Rubenstein, PBS Chief Digital and Marketing Officer.

    The agreement was touted as especially benefits for kids, given PBS’ focus on kid-friendly programming.

    “At PBS KIDS, making our high-quality content accessible to as many children across the country as possible is integral to our mission,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Children’s Media and Education, PBS. “As families continue to look to us for more ways to watch, we’re thrilled we can continue building on our offerings with DIRECTV—both on broadcast and digital—to ensure we’re meeting them where they are.”

  • Netflix Sued by S. Korean Broadband Company Over ‘Squid Game’ Traffic

    Netflix Sued by S. Korean Broadband Company Over ‘Squid Game’ Traffic

    Netflix is being sued by a South Korean broadband company over a surge in traffic from the streaming giant’s new Squid Game series.

    Squid Game is the streaming giant’s latest hit, and has caused a surge in viewers, as well as the corresponding internet usage. SK Broadband is suing over that usage, according to Reuters, wanting Netflix to pay for the increased traffic.

    The two companies have a history of legal issues. Although the latest lawsuit has been brought by SK Broadband, Netflix sued last year to avoid paying for network usage. While most other companies, such as Apple, Amazon and Facebook pay such fees, Netflix and YouTube do not — despite being the top two internet traffic generators.

    According to Reuters the courts have so far sided with SK Broadband, saying the company provides “a service provided at a cost.” The Seoul Central District Court called it “reasonable” for Netflix to be “obligated to provide something in return for the service,” dealing the company a major blow in its case. While Netflix is appealing its loss, the decision likely encouraged SK Broadband to launch this latest lawsuit.

  • YouTube TV, NBCUniversal Agree to Short Extension While Talks Continue

    YouTube TV, NBCUniversal Agree to Short Extension While Talks Continue

    YouTube TV and NBCUniversal have agreed to a “short extension” that will keep more than a dozen channels on the streaming platform while talks continue.

    Earlier this week, YouTube said it was on the verge of losing NBCU content over a carriage dispute. The deadline was September 30. The companies are now saying they have agreed to a short extension, one that will keep NBCU’s content on YouTube TV while negations continue.

    NBCU gave a statement to Protocol outlining the decision.

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