HiTechEdge

Tag: streaming TV

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.”

  • 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.

    https://twitter.com/jank0/status/1443773993119469570?s=20
  • YouTube TV On the Verge of Losing NBCUniversal Channels

    YouTube TV On the Verge of Losing NBCUniversal Channels

    YouTube TV, one of the biggest streaming TV platforms, is on the verge of losing NBCUniversal programming if a deal isn’t reached.

    It’s not uncommon for streaming platforms to lose channels over disputes with the networks. The networks raise prices, or want streaming platforms to carry certain bundles, and negotiations often reach the breaking point.

    According to DigitalTrends, YouTube TV could lose NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, Golf Channel, MSNBC, Oxygen, SYFY, Telemundo, The Olympic Channel, Universal Kids, Universo and USA Network if a deal isn’t reached by September 30.

    YouTube says it is trying to reach an equitable agreement, but recommended users turn to NBC’s Peacock should the deal fall through.

    If NBCU offers us equitable terms, we’ll renew our agreement with them. However, if we are unable to reach a deal by Thursday, the NBCU lineup of channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV and we will decrease our monthly price by $10, from $64.99 to $54.99 (while this content remains off our platform). You can sign up for NBC’s own direct-to-consumer streaming service, Peacock, which they offer for $4.99/month to continue watching NBCU content, such as Sunday Night Football.

  • Apple Spending $500 Million on Apple TV+ Marketing in 2022

    Apple Spending $500 Million on Apple TV+ Marketing in 2022

    Apple is ramping up its marketing for Apple TV+ in 2022, to the tune of $500 million.

    According to The Information, via The Mac Observer, Apple TV+ has some 40 million subscribers, roughly half of which are paying a subscription fee. Apple had a very generous trial period initially, giving anyone who bought a new Mac, iPhone or iPad an entire year for free. Even though Apple has since reduced that to three months, T-Mobile is offering its users a free year of Apple TV+.

    It appears the Cupertino company is getting serious about marketing its streaming TV service, something that has been a sore point for some Apple partners who believe the company hasn’t done enough in the past. Apple plans on spending some $500 million this year, and will release a new move or show every week during 2022.

    Given that Apple has a number of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hits on its hands, it’s a safe bet the marketing will likely pay off.

  • Better Late Than Never — Hulu Starts Embracing HDR

    Better Late Than Never — Hulu Starts Embracing HDR

    Hulu is finally beginning to roll out HDR, years after other platforms have done so.

    Hulu is one of the top streaming platforms on the market, and its live TV service is widely considered the main competitor to YouTube TV. Despite its position in the market, the company has been slow to adopt improved technology, including HDR.

    According to TechCrunch, however, the company is finally embracing HDR, with the rollout beginning August 19. For now, only the company’s high-profile original content will get the upgrade, although Hulu intends on eventually bringing it to its entire catalog.

    The company’s plans are good news for Hulu subscribers, even if the implementation will take more time.

  • DirecTV Rebrands Streaming Services As DirecTV Stream

    DirecTV Rebrands Streaming Services As DirecTV Stream

    Following DirecTV being spun off as an independent company, it is rebranding the streaming services it inherited from AT&T.

    AT&T, in cooperation with TPG Capital, spun off DirecTV in early August following years of losses and shrinking subscriber base. The new DirecTV is determined to regain its standing in the TV market.

    “This is a watershed moment for DIRECTV as we return to a singular focus on providing a stellar video experience,” said Bill Morrow, CEO, DIRECTV. “Building on our recent momentum, we are well-positioned to bring unparalleled choice and value to all of our customers under one iconic brand, whether they beam it or stream it.”

    As part of the deal, DirecTV inherited AT&T TV and the obsolete AT&T TV Now. The company is rebranding all its streaming efforts — minus HBO Max, which AT&T retained — under the DirecTV Stream name.

    For those who stream it, the newly branded DIRECTV STREAM will become the single brand for video streaming services previously launched by AT&T, excluding HBO Max. The transition will happen later this month, and service will continue to be available with no term commitment or hidden fees. To enjoy the best of live TV and on-demand, customers can either bring their own streaming device, or use DIRECTV’s exclusive streaming device.² Those with DIRECTV’s streaming device can build a complete, integrated and customized entertainment experience with the ability to watch and pause live TV on up to 20 devices in their home. It also allows consumers to get all their favorite entertainment in one place with easy access to apps like HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video and more.

    It will be interesting to see if DirecTV can regain ground it lost under AT&T.

  • It’s Back! Spectrum TV App Is on Roku

    It’s Back! Spectrum TV App Is on Roku

    Good news for Spectrum and Roku customers, as the Spectrum TV app is once again on the streaming platform.

    Spectrum’s TV app was pulled form Roku’s platform in December, a casualty of the kind of carriage disputes that are common in the streaming TV industry. Existing users could continuing using the app, but new users had no way of signing up or gaining access to it.

    The two companies have come to an agreement, as the app is now once again on Roku.

    “We’re delighted to share that you can now access the Spectrum TV app through your Roku device,” reads Roku’s announcement. “You can now stream Spectrum’s full lineup of live and on demand content by using your existing Charter broadband subscription or by signing up for an account through your Roku device.”

  • HBO Max Will Revamp Smart TV Apps to Fix Issues

    HBO Max Will Revamp Smart TV Apps to Fix Issues

    HBO Max is preparing to revamp its smart TV apps in a bid to fix issues that have plagued the platform.

    HBO Max has quickly become a powerhouse in the streaming TV industry, but that hasn’t translated into a reliable experience for customers. The service has been plagued with issues, from glitchy playback controls to broken subtitles to sluggish performance.

    According to Vulture, a WarnerMedia exec has said the problems are partly the result of rapid expansion, combined with adding an ad-supported tier. As any programmer will attest, adding a major new layer to any platform inevitably opens the door to new bugs and issues creeping in. Add in international expansion to 39 new markets, and the problem gets worse.

    As Vulture points out, the biggest blame, however, lies with the origins of the app itself. Rather than being built from the ground up, HBO Max is essentially a reworked, heavily modified version of older HBO apps, such as HBO Go and HBO Now. The legacy code has contributed significantly to the existing problems.

    The WarnerMedia exec said the company is looking to rectify these issues by rolling out a completely new app, one built from the ground up. It’s a safe bet that’s just what is needed to address the issues and ensure the user experience matches the platform’s impressive content offerings.