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Paramount+ Channel to Cost $9.99 a Month Ad-Free or $4.99 With Ads
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First, there was Netflix. Streaming wasn't "a thing". Studios licensed their content to them because it was another revenue stream and they didn't have to work for it. Just a blip on the radar screen. A little bit of "free money".
Then more and more people got broadband. Streaming got popular. Streaming became the next generation of the DVR - improving on the idea that people have their own schedules and don't want to be slaves to a network clock.
One by one, each studio saw Netflix's success and tried to get in on the game. Some were smart and bought their infrastructure pre-made by other companies (like how Disney bought MLBAT from Major League Baseball, as MLB had made a platform so good that other sports used them instead of building their own networks).
Now everyone is in on the act. Like so many industries before, this one will shake out as well. There will be bundlers and resellers, etc., eventually. Smaller outfits will either choose to partner up with larger ones to get a bigger slice of the pie or have to stay small and be content with their revenue (or possibly die if it's not enough).
Roku and Apple will be the new "cable companies" trying to sell an integrated package.
Right now, the worst thing about streaming is that everyone now has a different interface. The ">>" button on your remote now behaves differently depending on what service you're on. It can go into Fast-Forward, Skip 10 seconds, Skip to Next Episode or, in a couple of rare cases, NOTHING AT ALL. This is going to have to shake itself out as well.
Then more and more people got broadband. Streaming got popular. Streaming became the next generation of the DVR - improving on the idea that people have their own schedules and don't want to be slaves to a network clock.
One by one, each studio saw Netflix's success and tried to get in on the game. Some were smart and bought their infrastructure pre-made by other companies (like how Disney bought MLBAT from Major League Baseball, as MLB had made a platform so good that other sports used them instead of building their own networks).
Now everyone is in on the act. Like so many industries before, this one will shake out as well. There will be bundlers and resellers, etc., eventually. Smaller outfits will either choose to partner up with larger ones to get a bigger slice of the pie or have to stay small and be content with their revenue (or possibly die if it's not enough).
Roku and Apple will be the new "cable companies" trying to sell an integrated package.
Right now, the worst thing about streaming is that everyone now has a different interface. The ">>" button on your remote now behaves differently depending on what service you're on. It can go into Fast-Forward, Skip 10 seconds, Skip to Next Episode or, in a couple of rare cases, NOTHING AT ALL. This is going to have to shake itself out as well.
Another 9.99/month program? Wonder how they came up with that number? Oh and hey if you watch our commercials you’ll be back handing us an extra $100/month so hey we’ll make it worth your while by only charging you $5.99 how’s that for good business! When are we going to get some regulation in this industry?
Great advice. If you can’t afford it steal it. You’re the reason content costs are high. Honest and decent people have to pay more to make up for thieves.
Umm...you do realize you DONT have to pay for it if you don’t want it, right?
For those complaining about all the streaming services, you have the choice of either subscribing or not subscribing. Very simple.
You'll need to elaborate on why you think this will kill the somewhat-success they were having because this is just a re-branding of CBS All Access to Paramount+
They reported having almost 30 million global subscribers (an increase of 56% year over year) and 19 million domestic subscribers (an increase of 71% year over year)
You're not being forced to pay for this service or any of the other services. And if there's something you want to watch, you can pause one or two or all of the other services for a month or however long while you subscribe to a new service. Once you're done watching/binging a season of whatever show it is you wanted to see, pause the subscription and resume another subscription. Rinse and repeat. No need to pay for a bunch of services all at one time.I think people who are concerned about signing up for so many different streaming services are missing several key points on how a ton of different streaming services is still a more appealing option to some than cable TV.
1. Options for ad free tiers. I have found that most content on cable channels to be unwatchable due to the constant barrage of advertising breaks and advertising graphics in logos appearing on screen during the show.
2. You do not have to sign up for all of the streaming services you like at all times. Sign up for a couple catch up on the stuff you want to watch. Then cancel and sign up for others that have shows that are interesting to you. Personally the only service I have year round is Amazon prime due to the fact it also includes free 2 day shipping. The rest I sign up for monthly but I never sign up for more than 2 at the same time - I estimate my total monthly bill on streaming services to be 20 -30 and I pay nothing for cable TV because I got rid of it. It's what works for me.
1. Options for ad free tiers. I have found that most content on cable channels to be unwatchable due to the constant barrage of advertising breaks and advertising graphics in logos appearing on screen during the show.
2. You do not have to sign up for all of the streaming services you like at all times. Sign up for a couple catch up on the stuff you want to watch. Then cancel and sign up for others that have shows that are interesting to you. Personally the only service I have year round is Amazon prime due to the fact it also includes free 2 day shipping. The rest I sign up for monthly but I never sign up for more than 2 at the same time - I estimate my total monthly bill on streaming services to be 20 -30 and I pay nothing for cable TV because I got rid of it. It's what works for me.
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At one point I factored the costs and found it was cheaper to cancel all subscriptions and just buy the shows I watch on iTunes. Might reconsider that plan.
It will take a few years to play out, but I think that when all these individual services see subscriber numbers slow/plateau and high churn numbers that won't cover the high capital costs needed to create new content, they'll either merge and consolidate (e.g. Disney/Fox/Hulu; Quibi/Roku), re-license their content to stronger/more viable streaming services (Netflix) or wither and die.
Regulate what? Is there some sort of collusion going on between these streaming services no one is required to subscribe to that I'm not aware of?
$
Give them time. In another year or two I’m sure they’ll subdivide to the point where you’ll be able to subscribe to Dr. Who, or the Mandolorian for only $2.99 per month.
90’s
I’ll be joining the Paramount- network. Don’t need or care about YASS. Yet Another Streaming Service.
The annual price will stay the same:
Paramount Plus Pricing: Base Package Will Cost Less Than CBS All Access, but There’s a Catch
ViacomCBS outlined new pricing, content and other details for Paramount Plus, its bulked-up streaming platform set to debut March 4.
variety.com
"Prior to the official March 4 launch, ViacomCBS is offering subscribers who sign up for a CBS All Access annual plan a 50% discount for the first 12 months. Regular annual pricing for the service is $59.99/year with ads and $99.99/year without ads."
Because unless money flows back to the studios that create the shows you enjoy, those shows will cease to exist. I'm fine with using torrents to occasionally circumvent arbitrary geographic restrictions, but not outright theft. Content creators need to be paid so they can continue creating.
Just be careful with your sources, you could download from an IP troll who'll send a notice to your ISP. I had that issue in High School and parents weren't too thrilled.
Edit: my stepdad claimed to have hired an attorney to talk with ISP and clear the record. Whether or not he did, I paid for it and found that it was cheaper to outright buy or rent the content I wanted than deal with that again. Even if broadcasting companies are corporate overlords, I'd still prefer the creators of what I enjoy to get paid for it, it's their decision to leave money on the table and accept crumbs with such companies. But perhaps that's my musician side speaking where streaming has reduced income substantially for a solid amount of artists compared to album sales.
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