Cord cutting revisited

[Pakuni]

What streaming device are you using, and what type of internet speeds are you working with?

We have had no problems with picture quality on a TCL Roku TV, or one on a Fire Stick. Our internet runs about 225 mbps.

Also, the YTTV Reddit is helpful for these things as well... And YouTube developers pop in and answer questions from time to time.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm also using a TCL Roku. Speed not nearly as fast as yours  - usually around 35 mbps - but I've never had an issue with quality or speed running other streaming services, i.e. Netflix, or with my kid playing PS4, etc.

[drewm88]

Question for the YTTV subscribers.  I'm in the middle of a trial and while the live TV picture quality is fine, and even good at times, it's terrible for shows I add to the library/DVR. Like, standard definition terrible. Not watchable terrible.
Is this normal? Doesn't seem like it should be, but I can't figure out why such a discrepancy.
Any ideas why this is happening or if it can be improved?
Thanks much.

I sometimes have an issue like that, but only for 10-20 seconds when the show starts. Probably not helpful, but on the small chance you're just impatient, give it a minute.

[Pakuni]

I sometimes have an issue like that, but only for 10-20 seconds when the show starts. Probably not helpful, but on the small chance you're just impatient, give it a minute.

Thanks, but unfortunately, it's throughout the entire program.

[Chili]

Lol.  I was mostly just mentioning that because at some point there rejiggered their packages when they were losing out on Viacom channels but I am still on a plan which has them.

That, but I'm also a The Challenge junkie.  Cannot get enough of that show!

The Challenge is the reason my wife and I haven't left our grandfathered in ATTNow (DirecTVNow) plan. Viacom channels are needed for us.

[Jay Bee]

Thanks, but unfortunately, it's throughout the entire program.

I first used YTTV on a TV with a plugin Roku. Was having issues with live and recorded programs from time to time. Upsetting.

I switched to a new TCL Roku TV (2019 series 6)... works great. Also have another TV where I switched from an old plugin Roku to a Fire Stick... works 1,000 times better, rarely any issues.

Might be worth a try of a plugin stick on your TCL Roku TV

[MUfan12]

The Fire Stick 4K runs faster than the native app on the Roku TV for me, even with the TV using an ethernet connection.

[🏀]

The Challenge is the reason my wife and I haven't left our grandfathered in ATTNow (DirecTVNow) plan. Viacom channels are needed for us.

I use Philo for the Viacom channels on top of YTTV. Not ideal.

[Cheeks]

The Challenge is the reason my wife and I haven't left our grandfathered in ATTNow (DirecTVNow) plan. Viacom channels are needed for us.

All comes down to choice.  YTTV is a good option for many, but one option only...no variability.  One size fits all.

Others have more choices.  Consumers have options for sure.

[Chili]

I use Philo for the Viacom channels on top of YTTV. Not ideal.

I've thought this exact scenario but I'm still getting $15 off per month because of my mobile plan. If the price gets much higher than it is now I'll probably switch. How is the Philo stream quality??

[🏀]

I've thought this exact scenario but I'm still getting $15 off per month because of my mobile plan. If the price gets much higher than it is now I'll probably switch. How is the Philo stream quality??

Same as YTTV, has some moments, but crystal clear 95% of the time. I hooked up my parents with the same setup so they could ditch BIG SATELLITE after being customers since '94, and they watch Philo about 80% of the time.

[Cheeks]

There was a very good tv insider article (costs about $500 a year for service) that floated around the office yesterday.  The main point was the power programmers (Disney, WM, NBC Universal, Viacom/CBS, Discovery, etc) are pushing very hard and successful of fattening the skinny bundle.  Vue out of business, AT&T raising prices to be profitable, YTTTV losing money on every subscription they sell, Sling TV breaking even and no choice but to raise prices, etc.

The point of their article was a la carte isn’t coming and won’t as long as they control the economics.  If there comes a time when they don’t, then they will simply eliminate many channels and offerings which D?C doesn’t want either.  In essence, you want all this choice and variety of content, their is a bill to pay and a higher one coming at that.

On the illegal streaming side, an analyst asked at the HBO Max kickoff how daunting it is to launch a product to a customer base that doesn’t like or feel the need to pay for anything....roughly the writer’s words.  Will all come to a tipping point when growth slows...to squeeze out more revenue or subs, they (the industry) will have to clamp down hard.  The technology exists today, it is the policy and will that prevents it being used far flung at the moment. 

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Hulu raised their price by $10/month.

[Benny B]

There was a very good tv insider article (costs about $500 a year for service) that floated around the office yesterday.  The main point was the power programmers (Disney, WM, NBC Universal, Viacom/CBS, Discovery, etc) are pushing very hard and successful of fattening the skinny bundle.  Vue out of business, AT&T raising prices to be profitable, YTTTV losing money on every subscription they sell, Sling TV breaking even and no choice but to raise prices, etc.

The point of their article was a la carte isn’t coming and won’t as long as they control the economics.  If there comes a time when they don’t, then they will simply eliminate many channels and offerings which D?C doesn’t want either.  In essence, you want all this choice and variety of content, their is a bill to pay and a higher one coming at that.

On the illegal streaming side, an analyst asked at the HBO Max kickoff how daunting it is to launch a product to a customer base that doesn’t like or feel the need to pay for anything....roughly the writer’s words.  Will all come to a tipping point when growth slows...to squeeze out more revenue or subs, they (the industry) will have to clamp down hard.  The technology exists today, it is the policy and will that prevents it being used far flung at the moment.

There was a very good Iranian newspaper article (costs 500 bhakalas a year) that was floated around the camp yesterday. The point was that Israelis are pretty awesome people.  Did you see that one?


Neither did anyone else.  Consider your source.  WTF do you think a tv “insider” is going to say about the impending implosion and remodeling of their business. “Oh gee, Rick... a bunch of us are going to lose our jobs and that’s totally great because the consumer is finally going to get what they want and not the garbage we’ve been cramming down their throats for the past five decades.”

[mu_hilltopper]

I tend to believe CBB/that article is right.  Billions at stake and the content producers have legal ways of forcing the consumer to pay more.

All the OTT streaming consumers are all boiled frogs .. the prices started low, and now are equivalent to their previous cable bill.  SURPRISE, m-fers.

All the OTT innovators are being squeezed back to the mainstream - lots of packaged/unwanted channels plus high prices. 

Those who went to OTA antennas only are the only ones who are saving money -- but the rising cost of internet will get those guys too.  Yay.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I've stuck with Spectrum for cable and internet and haven't really regretted it.  Very reliable service with a great selection of programming.  I don't worry about the cost because of that.

[MUfan12]

I've stuck with Spectrum for cable and internet and haven't really regretted it.  Very reliable service with a great selection of programming.  I don't worry about the cost because of that.

If the price gap between their TV and my streaming service continues to narrow, I'll have to think about switching back. Problem is they got rid of the whole house DVR for new customers, and I think that would be a dealbreaker for us.

[jesmu84]

Regardless of the content side, ISP/telcos continue to scam the nation

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

If the price gap between their TV and my streaming service continues to narrow, I'll have to think about switching back. Problem is they got rid of the whole house DVR for new customers, and I think that would be a dealbreaker for us.

I thought we would miss the whole house DVR, but with just two of us at the house now, it's pretty easy to not let that be a problem.

[Jay Bee]

Who is the biggest competition to someone like, say redtube? Just trying to understand business models and such. Thanks for any insights.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Who is the biggest competition to someone like, say redtube? Just trying to understand business models and such. Thanks for any insights.

Pornhub is probably your best option.  The have one-eyed vietnamese midget lesbian vids, right up your alley.

[g0lden3agle]

When I think about how you two have been making the same corny jokes on scoops for over a decade I get sad.

Then I think about how I've been reading the same corny jokes on scoop for over a decade and I get even sadder.

[mu_hilltopper]

When I think about how you two have been making the same corny jokes on scoops for over a decade I get sad.

Then I think about how I've been reading the same corny jokes on scoop for over a decade and I get even sadder.

Well, my job here is done.

Also, Arby's will clear up your sadness.  Ok, not so much, but you'll be sad about something different, and that's a win.

[Cheeks]

There was a very good Iranian newspaper article (costs 500 bhakalas a year) that was floated around the camp yesterday. The point was that Israelis are pretty awesome people.  Did you see that one?


Neither did anyone else.  Consider your source.  WTF do you think a tv “insider” is going to say about the impending implosion and remodeling of their business. “Oh gee, Rick... a bunch of us are going to lose our jobs and that’s totally great because the consumer is finally going to get what they want and not the garbage we’ve been cramming down their throats for the past five decades.”

Ok.  I guess you could go there.  I would offer up many 3rd party analysts saying the same thing.

I happen to be mostly on the OTT side of the business now, so I see both sides and live it every day. 

The power is consolidated in the hands of the content owners, they have pricing power and they will use it.  They also have bundling power...want their ESPN, well they will eventually require you buy their Disney Kids, etc....that comes next with their OTT push, especially as they lose subs on traditional platforms.  They have to make up the revenue somewhere, they are goi to replicate it in their own ecosystem.

[Cheeks]

Pornhub is probably your best option.  The have one-eyed vietnamese midget lesbian vids, right up your alley.

Cannot say midget anymore....Canadian junior hockey just changed the term. 

[Pakuni]

Cannot say midget anymore....Canadian junior hockey just changed the term.

Ts & Ps