Apple TV Gains CBS All Access, NBC, and Made to Measure Channels

[69Mustang]

I'm willing to pay for channels/packages. Unfortunately for them they won't sell them to me, so I'll just sign in with my parent's cable subscription like most people 30 and under who have cut the cord. Don't take my money—see if I care?

How do you feel about pirating apps, songs, movies, etc? I don't ask that with snark. I ask out of genuine curiosity. Do you think there's a difference between the two situations? I'd hesitate to ask this question of a lot of this forum, but your answers tend to actually have thought behind them.

 

[jpgr15]

So tired of this "cable provider authentication" crap...

If they want cord cutting to take off they really need to end that requirement. I couldn't even watch the baseball game Sunday night because FS1 wanted a cable provider login.

Cable companies are one of the worst forms of service providers, IMHO. It's 2015. Time to embrace the notion that most are cutting the cord and are sick of paying for 200 channels they don't watch in order to get 6 they do watch.

We need disruption in this industry. A true a la carte service would be a game changer.

 

[wlossw]

Cable companies are one of the worst forms of service providers, IMHO. It's 2015. Time to embrace the notion that most are cutting the cord and are sick of paying for 200 channels they don't watch in order to get 6 they do watch.

We need disruption in this industry. A true a la carte service would be a game changer.

But it's worse than that... we don't even need "channels" because it's shows we watch... The entire paradigm is going to shift.

 

[jpgr15]

But it's worse than that... we don't even need "channels" because it's shows we watch... The entire paradigm is going to shift.

That's a good point. Given the popularity of Netflix original programs, I would guess many consumers agree.

 

[Talk the Talk]

So tired of this "cable provider authentication" crap...

Ditto your sentiments.

"Cable authentication is required for some features, but all users can watch some NBC content on the channel without needing a subscription."

And "CBS All Access" is a misnomer, in the same class as ISP's or phone carriers who offer "unlimited" whatever. As soon as one sees the word "unlimited", one knows there's a limit.

In addition to no sports on "CBS All Access", some programming produced by the local affiliate is unavailable, which is a drag. "All access" it's not.

Still, the addition of CBS All Access to Apple TV is a good thing – one can access all past episodes of many/most CBS network-produced shows

 

[Apple Corps]

Has anyone read an explanation as to why this late 2015 AT does not support 4k? The "there is no content" explanation is less and less accurate everyday.

 

[Smooley]

No Live Football means none of this matters.

Almost every large market has local over the air HD broadcast, usually uncompressed HD so it actually looks better than anything your cable, DirectTV can offer you. You just need an HD TV and a decent antennae.

 

[agsystems]

So tired of this "cable provider authentication" crap...

If they want cord cutting to take off they really need to end that requirement. I couldn't even watch the baseball game Sunday night because FS1 wanted a cable provider login.

Maybe this has been Apple grand plan all along - everyone developed their apps and put it on the Apple TV

My hope was they would be think bigger and setup an Itunes Studios (ala Amazon studios) and produce and bid for content and skip the incumbents - but its obviously more cleaner and it less costly if they sit back and let others put the content on the ATV.

 

[ChadJK]

Cable authentication is required for some features...

That pretty much ruins it for me.

 

[thogin]

Can I get CBS on my ATV if I prove I have an OTA antenna?

 

[agsystems]

Has anyone read an explanation as to why this late 2015 AT does not support 4k? The "there is no content" explanation is less and less accurate everyday.

For all we can see, looks like this box was build 18-24 months ago and they got derailed with their contents deals.

While Apple's idea of future proofing is for you to buy the next model - I think not having 4k its a big oversight

 

[bpeeps]

You would lose that bet.

No one wins watching that show.

 

[BruiserBear]

Has anyone read an explanation as to why this late 2015 AT does not support 4k? The "there is no content" explanation is less and less accurate everyday.

The lack of content is still as accurate as ever. Current 4K content is still microscopic. Just because the TV manufacturers want to sell 4K TVs doesn't mean anyone is going to make content for them. At least not anytime soon.

 

[webbuzz]

No one wins watching that show.

Agreed. I was just responding to his comment.

 

[guychicago]

The GM seed for 9.1 should be coming out this week.

 

[daveup2bat]

Exactly. They can have all the channels in the world, but if you don't have sports, you still need cable

You can get a HD Antenna, and get the broadcasts free.

 

[irishv]

Just because the TV manufacturers want to sell 4K TVs doesn't mean anyone is going to make content for them. At least not anytime soon.

Just people with the latest iPhone...

 

[Shanghaichica]

this is only in US available ? or in Europe as well ?

Probably US only.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Disappointed that the new Apple TV is still hobbled by apps that require a cable subscription. Still getting one for the improved interface, but the content is not going to be revolutionary.

 

[zorinlynx]

Has anyone read an explanation as to why this late 2015 AT does not support 4k? The "there is no content" explanation is less and less accurate everyday.

Do we know for SURE that it doesn't support 4K? Maybe the hardware does, but the software doesn't yet?

We know the current A-series CPUs have the ability to push 4K video around. There's a good chance that in a year's time or so we'll see an update for the new Apple TV that gives it 4K video capability.

 

[69Mustang]

Cable companies are one of the worst forms of service providers, IMHO. It's 2015. Time to embrace the notion that most are cutting the cord and are sick of paying for 200 channels they don't watch in order to get 6 they do watch.

We need disruption in this industry. A true a la carte service would be a game changer.

Lot of wrong here. Unless you're engaging in hyperbole to bolster your point, most aren't cutting the cord. Far from it. That's just fact. Easily proven.

I agree, we do need disruption. Unfortunately, a la carte isn't it... yet... and not soon. You have a logistics problem to solve. Which shows/channels would be offered? Since most shows/channels are subsidized by the most popular, it's highly likely something you want to watch will cease to exist. What are we left with... procedural crime dramas, reality TV, and sports. Content providers aren't going to go for it without replacement revenue. In that scenario, there's only one way to get it. Charge more for the content that's left. I could go on with all the problems with the a la carte dream, but I'll leave you with this one. The cable companies we want to get rid of so badly owns a crap ton of the content.

 

[MacBucky]

I would really like to see a new model of TV emerge. Being able to click; Discovery, History, AMC and others and then tell me the price. Ala Carte would be the way to really take this off then the providers themselves and NOT the satellite or cable companies can hold it over our heads.

 

[Elbon]

I'll just sign in with my parent's cable subscription like most people 30 and under who have cut the cord

That's not cutting the cord, it's stealing the cord.

Just disabled all three. I'm not interested in a fashion channel, I'm not going to pay $6 per month for CBS-only content, and NBC requires a cable subscription (which I don't have). Sticking with Netflix and HBO for now.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

However, it does bring up a point. Providers, let alone Apple is missing a huge potential revenue stream by pigeonholing themselves into whatever is localized for the customer's region, and not expanding globally. Yes, they may think that they can get more money en masse because more will purchase content local to them (because that's what they know), but if they were able to take, say, Bundesliga or one of the European soccer leagues, throw it over Apple TV to someone in Brazil, or Mexico; or Rugby or bowling or basketball and deliver it to other countries without having to go through a cable channel like ESPN, Fox, etc., paying the cable tax on top of the content price, they'd truly have a serious revenue stream coming from all parts of the world, while increasing the cord-cutting that is already happening.

BL.

Not entirely sure what you are trying to say, but just because a U.S. based network has the right to broadcast an event or show doesn't mean they have that right in Brazil or anywhere else except the U.S. On pay TV there are available subscriptions to just about every major sports league on the planet. I don't think Apple would block them on ATV, it's just a matter of what the business model is of the respective leagues and whether they want to be on ATV.

That's not cutting the cord, it's stealing the cord.

It's not stealing. Stealing is when the the content isn't paid for at all. This is, worst case, mooching the cord from the parent's account. But most channels limit the # of devices per account that can be simultaneously streamed from. It's not unlimited. So really who cares since the channel sets the log in rules.

 

[jpgr15]

Lot of wrong here. Unless you're engaging in hyperbole to bolster your point, most aren't cutting the cord. Far from it. That's just fact. Easily proven.

I agree, we do need disruption. Unfortunately, a la carte isn't it... yet... and not soon. You have a logistics problem to solve. Which shows/channels would be offered? Since most shows/channels are subsidized by the most popular, it's highly likely something you want to watch will cease to exist. What are we left with... procedural crime dramas, reality TV, and sports. Content providers aren't going to go for it without replacement revenue. In that scenario, there's only one way to get it. Charge more for the content that's left. I could go on with all the problems with the a la carte dream, but I'll leave you with this one. The cable companies we want to get rid of so badly owns a crap ton of the content.

Regarding cutting the cord, I am referring to coaxial. Not literally every cord. Obviously we still need those danged Internet and power cords.

I just believe there has got to be a better way. That is all.