Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It will be good to have a news outlet that does not mention Brexit.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Agreed.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Treble agreed. For a storyline to have gone on for 3 bloody years the soap opera would usually be axed like brookside

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Netflix Hits 158 Million Subscribers & Sees Revenue Growth.

https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/netf...er-engagement/

it does however point out “Netflix’s miss on subscribers in the US spells trouble for the company ahead of heightened competition. The fourth quarter represents a completely new ballgame for Netflix as Disney+ and Apple TV+ will compete not just for subscribers, but for hit shows as well. The fact that Netflix has shown disappointing growth without the new competition present, is a negative omen for Netflix in 2020 and beyond.” Said eMarketer’s forecasting analyst Eric Haggstrom.

The report also shows that Netflix is well aware of the competition and has a plan to stay on top. “Many are focused on the ‘streaming wars,’ but we’ve been competing with streamers (Amazon, YouTube, Hulu) as well as linear TV for over a decade. The upcoming arrival of services like Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Peacock is increased competition, but we are all small compared to linear TV.”

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

The quality of some of Netflix's originals of late have been particularly poor and don't get me started on its efforts in movies.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

what are the chances of Fite.tv coming to virgin ?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Not much of a chance l would say.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

None fite have no interest in going on SKY,VM or youviews platforms.

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Absolutely agree with this, but as with any company there will be poor content along with good content.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Thanks for the answer den and legend killer

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I always wonder why virgin media dont embrace more apps since its all set up for them.... i'd imagine cost? But surely there are people who can create apps fairly cheaply? Are the apps on the internet completely incompatible with tivo?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It's a lot more than costs, there are platform rights, app development, compatability amongst other things.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Roku seem to be able to manage this without any problem. The app for Apple+ is all ready to go right now. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for Virgin to have it up and running.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Better to see how it does in the market rather then Virgin just signing any deal willy nilly.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

ROKU is designed for streaming and is classed as a streaming platform, vms tivo is classed as a linear platform.
This is rather interesting though from USA Tivo https://www.slashgear.com/tivo-plus-...mers-15595653/

So never say never regarding vms tivo.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I don't think how VM's V6 box is classed has anything to do with Virgin's ability to add streaming services to its offering. It will have to do a lot better than that if it really does have ambitions to be a super-aggregator of content.

---------- Post added at 19:06 ---------- Previous post was at 19:04 ----------

I think Apple +, Britbox and Disney + are pretty safe bets, Den. All the big-name streamers should be available on the V6 at launch, in my view. That would make Virgin's service very popular.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Which of the new streamers would you consider purchasing after their UK launch? I’d be getting Disney+, BritBox and HBO Max, as I only use my friend’s Netflix right now for streaming.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

For me, HBO Max is the only one I'd be interested in.

Britbox may prove to be worthwhile in time, but I am not at all interested in old archive material and so there is unlikely to be much of interest to me at launch. However, this will be a jolly good site for lovers of UKTV channels.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Using Britbox now and going to try Disney+.

Britbox has more uk tv choice than Netflix, Amazon or Now TV.

:xmas:

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

As its not available yet in the UK you must either be a UK beta customer or you must be subscribing to it in America.;)

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Britbox US has an amazing list of stuff going back to the 60s- well worth subscribing.

Britbox UK I took out the free trial. I know it's a beta but the current content is poor and is mainly a mix of BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and UKTV.

I found one series on there I had missed when originally shown - and this week it got add to the ITV Hub so glad I didn't pay.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I signed up to the free month UK Britbox trial.

It is on web browsers, Android and Airplays to my Apple TV fine. Have to keep the IOS device screen on though.

Choice and HD quality is excellent. Seems to be all HD, or scaled to HD.

No onscreen DOG or ads too.

Not sure about movies or Dolby 5.1 though.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Technically no issues - but the selection is about 10% of the US version.

Hopefully it will get similar - but the US seem to get a better choice of old UK material than the UK do in any of the apps.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Just looked on the Disney+ Netherlands site.

Unlimited downloads
4 Simultaneous streams
Upto 10 devices
4K HDR
The ability to setup 7 profiles and child profiles like Netflix.
€6.99 monthly with no contract or €69.99 annually.

Seems reasonable.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Its starting to make Netflix look rather pricey would you not say.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

That's why I see Netflix going the way of Blockbuster once all the big streamers come on line if not before.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

l posted a link a while back on Blockbuster all those years ago being the big daddy of them all and the similarities between the two are striking.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Do you know what the bitrate audio rate is please?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.ph...&id=1570449300

Not sure of exact details

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Would somebody with the new UK Britbox tell me if subtitles are available.

BBC iPlayer provides subtitles but the equivalent catch up services of ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and UKTV do not, rendering them useless for me.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Subtitles are available when CC is shown, according to Britbox help.

Just tried ITV Geno and crew road trip and they are there.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

For now, yes.

The Disney price is only a introductory price. Bob Iger, Disney's boss, has made that clear to city analysts. He set the streamer at a low price to build up a subscriber base as quickly as possible. They're hoping for several million customers at launch. Long term, that price is not sustainable, especially as they lose revenue from licencing all their content out to third party broadcasters around the world, including Netflix and the steamer canabolises Disney's linear services especially ESPN.

And talking of Disney, they're removing content from Australia too:

https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/...isney-channels

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

That may be the case but they'll more than likely increase the price at £1 or so a year.

For comparison
Netflix now charges £11.99 for 4 concurrent streams and UHD with Disney + potentially being £6.99 and having more must have content.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Do they?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Thank you.

For those of us with poor hearing, most current catch up services are useless.

On a more positive note, I find the subtitles on Netflix to be excellent.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Disney will have more 'must have' content for kids and young people, but as far as adults (who have matured) are concerned, Netflix will continue to be the streamer of choice.

It will not be long before the price of Disney + is equivalent to (or exceeds) Netflix.

Disney + in the US will be more attractive for all age groups, because it will also have the Hulu and ESPN streams. I don't think the UK will get that for some time, but it would be a game changer for Disney.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Why do you think as Disney + increases in price Netflix will stay the same ? With all the debt Netflix has and the increased competition prices will have to increase.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Verizon (America's biggest mobile company) announced the other day that it's giving away Disney+ free to all its subscribers for a year.

Here's an opinion on that, which I fully agree with:

https://seekingalpha.com/article/429...sney?dr=1#alt1

---------- Post added at 21:04 ---------- Previous post was at 20:52 ----------

Interesting article from CNBC on the streaming wars to come:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/27/how-...streaming.html

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

l think you know they do.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I don't, muppetman.

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Not for adults who have grown out of Star Wars, etc, there isn't. At least not in the UK version by the look of it.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It is indeed almost certain that Disney won’t bundle as much in the UK as they will have to on their US service. That’s the reality of the markets they operate in.

However ... “grown out of”? Patronising, much? You may be surprised how few “grown ups” there are in the world. Have you looked at the top of the charts lately, and seen what sort of films are there, and who makes most of them? That’s a heck of a lot of pocket money Saturday matinees, if they’re all just kids films.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Sorry, I didn't mean to be patronising! :D But I do think there comes a point when many of us no longer want to see films like this. They are designed for a younger audience but they put stuff in there that adults will also appreciate, to encourage them to bring their kids to watch the films!

I do agree that the quality of this material can be very good, but it is also true to say that people can grow out of it.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Well, at 62 (nearly 63), I still love the Marvel/Pixar/Disney films.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Agreed they also seem to do well at the box office.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...grossing_films

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Well all the adults in our household have not grown out of Star Wars , etc , etc , etc and one suspects there are millions of households who hold those same sentiments.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Lose interest in, yes, “grow out of” ... no. If it has anything to do with age, it’s likely down to the rigidity of thinking that more often afflicts older people than younger (though by no means exclusively). In the case of complex, multi-layered sci-fi/fantasy of the kind being made for Disney by Lucasfilm and Marvel, it is certainly the case that a lack of imagination would hinder their enjoyment. ;)

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Ha ha, that's funny! I was into Star Trek - Voyager and Deep Space 9 until about 20 years ago, but they look tired and dated now. I still enjoy well-made modern films about space. So rigidity of thinking it certainly isn't!

Cartoons I used to love when I was younger, but again, watching stuff like Tom and Jerry is like going back a very long way - it is such a tired format now.

I still see modern animations such as Coco with my grandsons, and they are very well done and quite entertaining. But I wouldn't watch them on my own. I have, literaaly, 'grown out' of that type of entertainment, which is, after all, aimed at children and young adults.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

In other words you watched DS9 and Voyager until they were cancelled anyway. ;)

Actually I think the stories hold up rather well, especially Next Generation. And they look very good too, so long as you make allowances for the capabilities of the time (caveat ... the remastered NexGen episodes look great except on a UHD, high frame rate TV, which for my taste tends to make the picture contrast and colour space look like a 1980s tv soap opera, shot on video, which is a shame as it was actually all shot on 35mm film.)

Are you sure you’re just not very good at allowing your imagination to fill in the gaps where any modern sci fi or fantasy series would jam the screen with CG and faux handheld camera shake? :D

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I watched those programmes until the end of the series. They are repeated ad nauseum now, but as I say, they appear very dated.

Given your complete denial of my views on the future of TV, I thought you would believe that I had a vivid imagination! :D

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Actually, I think your predictions of the future of TV betray rigid thinking, not imagination - you have always fancied that everyone must, sooner or later, develop the same preferences as yourself, and you tend to go trawling the internet looking for articles that affirm the view you already hold. ;)

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

TV Player is a shell of its former self. They have a cheek charging the same price after losing so many channels.

https://tvplayer.com/channels

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

No, I don't, Den, I have no clue as to what will be shown on Disney that will be of interest to me.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Ooh, ouch!

In fact the prediction I made in respect of linear TV is based on viewing trends, TV industry views and common sense, but some on here won't believe what I say until it happens. Just a waiting game now.

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I think you have made the right call for your viewing preferences, Max. Unless you are into Star Wars, Harry Potter and the like, this is unlikely to appeal to either of us, unless we ever get the Hulu strand, which is unlikely in the short term.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

How long has Disney made Harry Potter ?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It would help if he got many of his facts right for starters as he certainly does have quite a penchant for getting it wrong that is for sure.;)

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

HP was just an example of the kind of material that appeals more to younger people. I know it isn't Disney!

---------- Post added at 08:31 ---------- Previous post was at 08:30 ----------

I'm afraid, Den, that you have a penchant for misremembering. :D

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

HBO , Sky nearing output deal renewal

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ne...enewal-1250682

---------- Post added at 14:24 ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 ----------

https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2019...deal-with-hbo/

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Yes, looks like HBO Max is not going to launch in the UK for the time being.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

If this is correct it could also be a good sign for Sky Cinema keeping the first run rights to Warner Bros movies.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It's certainly very fluid at the moment, with some going down the direct to customer route and others selling the rights to others. It will be interesting to see how this pans out in the next few years.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Sky extends multi-year programming partnership with WarnerMedia

https://www.skygroup.sky/corporate/m...th-warnermedia

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Excellent news. A clear demonstration that the economies of scale and reach of incumbents will leave them in good stead for years, dare I say decades, to come.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Absolutely despite our own forums Nostradamus and his sage like predictions.;)

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

HBO has always taken a pragmatic view and there's no point taking on Sky when it has a good deal in place that works for both parties. It's probably quite a good negotiating rool to have a streaming service up its sleeve though. ;)

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I agree it's pragmatic, but the whole point of launching streamers was to take on Netflix and keep your own stuff on your own platform.

I see this as excellent news for Netflix, as there was no mention of HBO Max launching beyond the Americas and Europe, but is it really good for Warner/AT&T in the long term? I'm not so sure.

This does cement Sky's position as a pay tv linear provider for a long time to come, even if the other studios like Disney eventually remove their content from Sky. With Warner and Universal material to play with, Sky has plenty of stuff to keep them going.

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Indeed. I had always assumed the other media companies would copy the Netflix way of doing things, but no, they're sticking to their old ways, for now.

---------- Post added at 10:32 ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 ----------

Obviously Disney will have their own streamer, but I wonder if the other Hollywood companies do a "Hulu" and join forces and launch their own combined streamer(s) at some point, or at least a few of them. This announcement seems to indicate that Warner is quite happy doing deals with its existing "partners" aka competitors.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I only see Disney going worldwide on its own in the short term but that's just personal opinion.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Sonys tv streaming service Playstation Vue will shut down in January 2020.
https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/29/2...down-date-sony

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Oh dear.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I agree. The others seem to want to keep their existing arrangements going for as long as possible handing a massive gift to Netflix.

---------- Post added at 13:07 ---------- Previous post was at 13:05 ----------

I think the Japanese are getting tired of their entertainment and gaming assets as their performance, especially in their film division, hasn't been so great. I think Sony might sell their entertainment and gaming divisions next year and that will probably be snapped up by one of the existing players.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

To be fair if you look at the wording in the press release it doesn't ever say exclusive so are media outlets just speculating that HBO Max won't launch in the Countries Sky operates in.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I find the use of “pragmatic” and “old ways” quite curious. Old ways could easily be described as tried and tested, established, profitable business models. Delivering content into tens of millions of homes.

I suppose pragmatism can be considered devoid of emotion. I suppose there’s some strong emotions going around that streaming must, at all costs be the future and all other delivery models must cease but when you leave that irrationality behind and follow consumer behaviour a deal with Sky makes business, dare I say economic, sense,

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

At the Warner presentation, they clearly say they have the deal with Sky to show their content and co-produce for HBO, so going by that and the fact that no mention was made that HBO Max would launch in the UK or Germany and Italy where Sky also operates, I reckon there is zero chance of seeing HBO Max here in the next few years. HBO Max will launch in South America and other parts of Europe, but clearly Warner don't want to upset Sky (Comcast) yet.

It was also disappointing that no other territories were mentioned. Netflix is global apart from China and a few other places, yet HBO Max (which looks great and has superb content) will only be available in some European countries and the Americas, not exactly a global streamer.

---------- Post added at 16:58 ---------- Previous post was at 16:57 ----------

Think back to why this all started and why Rupert Murdoch sold out to Disney.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

“Sold out” is another interesting turn of phrase. One definition of sell out is a betrayal of one's principles for reasons of expedience.

Another pragmatic was to describe what happened was “billionaire makes billions of dollars overnight in trading stocks and shares”.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Murdoch was a businessman, pure and simple and his own words why he sold, "because I can't compete with the likes of Apple, Google, Netflix etc."

The old way of doing things is dead. Alright not dead yet and it may take decades, but it will be dead and old Hollywood, by all its recent announcements, have just given the crown to Netflix.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Warner Media have also signed a deal with Bell Media in Canada.

https://deadline.com/2019/10/hbo-max...ia-1202772410/

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Can you source that quote?

The closest I can find from a Murdoch is from Lachlan Murdoch but he’s actually saying the opposite in 2017.

“Sub-scale players are finding it difficult to leverage their positions in new and emerging video platforms. Let me be very clear: We are not in that category. We have the required scale to continue to both execute on our aggressive growth strategy and deliver significant increased returns to shareholders.”

There’s a lot of opinion pieces saying it but nothing from the man himself. Vertical integration of production, content and platform isn’t the same as the original distribution model failing. It’s classic consolidation for a market trending to oligopoly.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Can't see anything in that link that says "I can't compete with the likes of Apple, Google, Netflix etc", unless you mean ""returning to our roots" of news and sport"?

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

In the video he describes the move a pivot and not a retreat. He actually agrees with my point on new entrants driving costs up significantly for what we’d consider “non-premium” content.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Media Boy EXCLUSIVE: Is Comcast set to rebrand NOWTv?

Media Boy Sources feels that Comcast look set to rebrand NOWTV soon.

Media Boy HQ is sitting on naming the new name for now...

©copyright 2019 Media Boy 2006 - 2019. An ''Keep it real and free'' Production.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

The latest name in Sky's other areas is Sky X in Austria.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

l thought the name it has now is perfectly fine..

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Well, that's a easy one: Peacock, their NBC/Universal streamer to launch. But what happened to Sky Q aka full Sky's full IPTV for the UK?

---------- Post added at 18:18 ---------- Previous post was at 18:16 ----------

He is absolutely clear why he sold and talks about Google, Facebook, Amazon etc. Even goes on to cite an example of Amazon putting someone else out of business.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I thought it was called Sky X , the IPTV version?

Sky Q is the box or OS and is already available and uses a satellite (though may be tweaked for IP for all I know).

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

You've caught me napping on the job again. :) Quite correct, I meant Sky X.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

An email just in from Cupertino:

I love being a stoodent. :D

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Apple + was launched yesterday. Why was it not on Virgin Media? This is so disappointing.

Roku have done it. Amazon Prime have done it. Why do VM customers have to wait?

They are meant to be content aggregators, after all !

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Why was it not on sky q, why was it not on nvidia shield, why was it not on youview?
Hate to break this to you but not every streaming service will launch on vm.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

l come back to that one word reality as OB being a capitalist should understand it as its called business economics and profit and unless these companies see something in it for them they won't touch it with a barge pole.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

I think you are hearing what you want to hear to be honest then applying it to come to the conclusion you wanted.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Getting quite a bit of use out of the Amazon Prime Video app on the V6, not their Prime content but for renting the pay per view movies.

I've watched quite a few recent titles for £3.49 on there, rather than paying £4.99 on Virgin Movies.

The sound and picture quality for SD on Amazon Prime Video is as good as HD on Virgin Movies.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

MGM Stargate command becomes the second streaming service within a week to announce it's closure, it will close at the end of the year.

---------- Post added at 12:57 ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 ----------

Agreed, i think streaming is the future but that doesn't mean we'll see every streaming service on the likes of vm, skys devices.
Also streaming replacing linear tv is a very long way off yet, it will happen but not in our lifetime one thinks.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

It was never intended to be a permanent streaming service.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

To be honest, I'd never even noticed this one!

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Some MGM content will be on HBO Max, so perhaps that will be the home of Stargate in the future.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

When OB’s world of “what will happen” bumps into reality ...

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Probably never then.:D

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Is that more because Warner owns a big chunk of the back catalogue of MGM, and not because of any current licensing deal?

---------- Post added at 08:45 ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 ----------

Since when did a subscription streaming service come to a traditional UK pay-TV platform first? Never.

If it's viable, then no doubt Apple will spend the programming and negotiating effort to get it onto more platforms. But it's a global player so global platforms like Roku and Amazon are a more cost-effective route at the start than relatively smaller UK and regional platforms like VM and Sky.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Actually - it is only on Amazon if you have the very latest 4K/HDR firestick - it is not available on any of their other devices it would seem.

It is not available on Amazon Prime and you have to pay the normal Apple+ subscription if you want to use it on the Amazon device.

There is very little content on it - although some of the stuff is in HDR most of the films are only regular HD.

Re: Netflix/Streaming Services
 

Well, Virgin and Liberty Global were clear they wanted to be content aggregators.