Rumor: Cable companies in talks to offer Netflix/Hulu

[2010mini]

https://www.bestappletv.com/news/as...le-giants-in-talks-to-integrate-hulu-netflix/

So it seems big Cable is catching on to the cord cutting trend and thinks offering Netflix and Hulu through their set top boxes will keep them above water

Discuss.

 

[Outdoordude01]

Comcast already does this with Netflix on their X1 boxes.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Ever since Netflix started offering streaming, it really has been more like HBO than anything else. They really are similar - they offer a rotating roster of movies to watch; they have awesome original programming; they are commercial-free; they are an add-on to the live tv format but not a true replacement.

Seeing that Netflix is really just a modern take on premium add-on content like HBO, it fits right in.

That said, people aren't cutting the cord because cable doesn't have enough content. People are cutting the cord because cable is too expensive, doesn't offer compelling features, and has too much advertisement. Adding more content won't fix any of those issues.

If I was a major cable company CEO - here is what I would do to stem the tide of cord cutters: (1) cable boxes need an update, they need to be like an AppleTV/Roku/Shield but with cable, none of that 200w monstrosity, make it small and light and cheap; (2) offer very skinny plans bundled with internet, for no additional cost, e.g., local channels only and maybe a few basic cable channels and local access, to build back some trust and respect from the community and to get a cable box into every home; (3) cut costs everywhere and lower prices, as Bezos famously said, "your margins are my opportunity," I would be the spirit airlines of cable.

 

[Nermal]

cable boxes need an update, they need to be like an AppleTV/Roku/Shield but with cable, none of that 200w monstrosity, make it small and light and cheap

It seems to be happening slowly; over here Vodafone has recently come out with this. That page doesn't list the dimensions but I've been told that it's about the size of an Apple TV.

 

[techwarrior]

If I was a major cable company CEO - here is what I would do to stem the tide of cord cutters: (1) cable boxes need an update, they need to be like an AppleTV/Roku/Shield but with cable, none of that 200w monstrosity, make it small and light and cheap; (2) offer very skinny plans bundled with internet, for no additional cost, e.g., local channels only and maybe a few basic cable channels and local access, to build back some trust and respect from the community and to get a cable box into every home; (3) cut costs everywhere and lower prices, as Bezos famously said, "your margins are my opportunity," I would be the spirit airlines of cable.

I agree. Under current plans, if I want certain channels, having to pay for "bundles" of channels I never watch just drives my expense up and puts money in pockets of content providers I never watch (Baby, Tennis, Gold channels, etc). Subsidizing these channels is driving consumers away, so cut the nonsense!

Most cable companies are experimenting with over the top services. But, most are just internet equivalents of cable bundles. DirectTVNow, Hulu Live, Charter, Comcast are still bloated bundles. I say, keep cable services for those few who resist change, but go all in on Stream services with AppleTV, Roku, etc as the client. Start with a basic, perhaps even Free package with local channels (since we can get them free with antenna anyway). Then, offer custom bundles like up to 5 or 10 from Sports, Movie, DIY types of categories where customers choose which channels to bundle. In short, charge only for content people want. If it is not interesting to viewers, it belongs in a free category, or should just fold.

Next, open Internet service to competition. In the recent past, phone companies were forced to lease their access lines to other phone companies to promote competition for home phone service. Do the same with cable, let me choose if Comcast, Charter, ATT, Verizon offers the best packages for me. It will force them all to step up their game to win and retain customers.

 

[Rigby]

This looks like an act of deperation to me. Comcast has been trying to make their own VoD service competitive, but apparently it wasn't enough to stem the loss of cable TV subscribers. Frankly, as long as they don't open their platforms and gain an active app developer community like the popular OTT platforms, I don't see how they can possibly compete except by unfair means (e.g. by giving preferential treatment to their own services once net neutrality is gone). And even if cable TV wasn't more expensive than subscribing to a few OTT services, I don't see any reason to go back to some clunky Comcast box that locks me into their contracts and can't run apps like Infuse.

 

[2010mini]

I agree. Under current plans, if I want certain channels, having to pay for "bundles" of channels I never watch just drives my expense up and puts money in pockets of content providers I never watch (Baby, Tennis, Gold channels, etc). Subsidizing these channels is driving consumers away, so cut the nonsense!

Most cable companies are experimenting with over the top services. But, most are just internet equivalents of cable bundles. DirectTVNow, Hulu Live, Charter, Comcast are still bloated bundles. I say, keep cable services for those few who resist change, but go all in on Stream services with AppleTV, Roku, etc as the client. Start with a basic, perhaps even Free package with local channels (since we can get them free with antenna anyway). Then, offer custom bundles like up to 5 or 10 from Sports, Movie, DIY types of categories where customers choose which channels to bundle. In short, charge only for content people want. If it is not interesting to viewers, it belongs in a free category, or should just fold.

Next, open Internet service to competition. In the recent past, phone companies were forced to lease their access lines to other phone companies to promote competition for home phone service. Do the same with cable, let me choose if Comcast, Charter, ATT, Verizon offers the best packages for me. It will force them all to step up their game to win and retain customers.

As for bundles, cable operators have little choice as that is how it is sold to them.

 

[GizmoDVD]

If I was a major cable company CEO - here is what I would do to stem the tide of cord cutters: (1) cable boxes need an update, they need to be like an AppleTV/Roku/Shield but with cable, none of that 200w monstrosity, make it small and light and cheap; (2) offer very skinny plans bundled with internet, for no additional cost, e.g., local channels only and maybe a few basic cable channels and local access, to build back some trust and respect from the community and to get a cable box into every home; (3) cut costs everywhere and lower prices, as Bezos famously said, "your margins are my opportunity," I would be the spirit airlines of cable.

And replace the water fountains with chocolate milk!

 

[oneMadRssn]

And replace the water fountains with chocolate milk!

Or better yet, beer.

 

[techwarrior]

As for bundles, cable operators have little choice as that is how it is sold to them.

Unless they put pressure on the content providers, they will continue to lose customers.

I agree that they currently have little choice. I suspect they get better terms on the in demand channels by adding these other channels. It helps them win the boasting wars "we offer you 240 channels, they offer you 200, we are 40 channels better for the same price". But, obviously the status quo is killing them.