Quote:
Originally Posted by harry_hitch
OB, I have never said there is not much content on Netflix or Amazon. The content on Amazon is not tempting to me. Just because you have huge amounts of TV lined up to watch, does not mean others will. I like plenty of the old repeated shows on Netflix, does not mean I would want to watch them all over again, simply because I could only afford one subscription, along with the free channels a year. Incidentally, which other free services due you see popping up?
Fair point on the exclusives.
Will you make your mind up on the streaming services. Are people going to flit between individual monthly subs, (which was your original thought) be contracted to expensive individual annual subscriptions for independent streaming services, thus limiting what people can watch (which is what you then changed your mind to) Or are Sky and VM just going to continue their business model as they currently do and the majority streaming services/channels will still all be available at a fair(ish) price so the majority of people who want such services can enjoy them still? Also, if that would work, why is it not happening in the States yet?
Point 2 - why will HBO be ppv over here? Why will it launch a streaming service when it makes more money from the deal with Sky, and probably amazon now too?
Point 3 - For me, there is very good stuff on Sky, if you above channel number 200, and very good stuff on Netflix. Personally, I would suggest Sky has better over all content, but that's my taste. I accept you think Netflix has more.
Points 4/6 I did the calculations for a global audience that doubled in size OB. I would like you to speculate on the costs though please OB, of both TV and Films. You say it is feasible, so lets see your maths please. With regards a lesser service, unless Netflix plan to rip off the lower tier audience and charge them more than the lesser service is worth, how are they going to make your proposed short fall up?
Point 7 - Of course shows will be lost to people. You have already talked about people missing exclusive shows, and said it will continue to happen. If this ficticiuos market will only have a certain amount of room for a number of subscription services, how are shows not going to be lost? How on earth are the remaining services going to be able to afford the rights to these shows and continue to operate if there revenues start to drop? Yes, they may gain a few more customers from the services that drop away, but they will soon reach the maximum income they can get, and they will than have rising costs to improve the service.
The thread is interesting and I always enjoy a good debate on here. I just tire of your reluctance to acknowledge any issues with your proposals. I have dropped out of the thread before for these reasons, and I may have to again soon, to let someone else try and discuss this with you. I will try not to though.
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I am really surprised that you cannot find much on Amazon or Netflix that interests you, Harry, because there is so much on there. Sky's non premium channels don't even come close to what either of the main streaming services have to offer. Incidentally, Netflix is planning 55 more original new series this year, so it just gets better and better!
You have asked me to 'make up my mind on streaming services' and whether people will flit from one streaming service to another, etc. I'm not sure how you expect me to know the answer to that as I can't predict precisely what services will be available in the future, let alone which services they will prefer. However, at a guess, I would imagine that there will be a range of behaviours by viewers. Some will want to maximise their viewing experience by flitting about, some will tend to be loyal to one or two providers and of course there will always be those who want it all (like me, tee hee!).
Incidentally, I don't know why you are saying that I've changed my mind. The only reason I mentioned annual subscriptions is that you asked me a specific question, and I answered it. I have no idea if annual subscriptions will ever become the norm, but existing channel providers do seem to prefer to lock you in. At the moment of course, there are a range of practices, ranging from annual subscriptions (Amazon) to a much more flexible monthly pass approach (such as Now TV).
I would like to see Sky and cable companies offering packages of discounted subscription services (much the same as we have bundles of channels now). Whether that will happen, who knows? There's not much evidence of that yet, but it may come. Alternatively, we may have to subscribe separately as we currently have to do with Netflix.
I do believe that HBO will eventually launch over here. I think they stand to make more money by making their shows available to a wider audience. In all likelihood, this will be on a pay per view basis (unfortunately).
I have no figures worked out, Harry, but you don't need to be a maths expert to work out that you will get a bigger discount for the content if you are a global rather than a national player. The more you buy, the less you pay per unit. That's how these wholesale deals work.
As for the 'ripping off audiences' comment, I really don't get that. If a less wide ranging selection of programming can be provided at a cheaper price for those who can't afford, or don't want to pay for everything, how is that a rip off? Sky and VM have different bundles of channels now, from M to XL. Is that a rip off?
As for shows being lost, that will only happen during the exclusivity period, by and large. Eventually, everything tends to have more general availability after a while - this maximises income generation.
Harry, other posters have been putting up links to articles that make it pretty clear that these changes are coming. I don't understand why you cannot see this, but I have concluded that you won't believe it until it happens for real. So I guess I will have a bit of a wait before I hear you say: "Geez! You was right"!
I've already worked out that I'll probably be dead by then!
---------- Post added at 19:06 ---------- Previous post was at 17:45 ----------
http://advanced-television.com/2016/...-svod-service/
The BBC has held talks with rivals including ITV about launching a Netflix-style video SVoD streaming service.
The talks, which are also said to have involved NBC Universal, focus on the potential to develop a subscription TV service. The service would major on providing archive TV content from the broadcasters rather than the first-run of shows, although there would be a certain amount of original commissions.