VOD : Linear is old tech - on demand is the future

[jfman]

It could be argued it's more a damning indictment of parenting.

"There's an iPad, go and sit in the corner while I watch the TV."

[Raider999]

Originally Posted by jfman

It could be argued it's more a damning indictment of parenting.

"There's an iPad, go and sit in the corner while I watch the TV."

[OLD BOY]

I think this is a wake up call for Virgin. It's time now to add more streaming services, including Prime, in bundles, with the TV channel bundles including a skinny bundle option. It seems that this would be very popular with the public as we near the time when conventional linear channels can be expected to start disappearing.

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019...m-tv-services/

[denphone]

Oh dear one must be worried then!!!!!

[gba93]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

... as we near the time when conventional linear channels can be expected to start disappearing./

I can think of some linear channels which I (although I accept not others) would be happy to see disappear!

OB sounds more like an end-of-the-world prophet with each passing day

[denphone]

Nostradamus has a lot to answer for.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Chris

OB sounds more like an end-of-the-world prophet with each passing day

Hardly! I see a bright future ahead. Hopefully Virgin will respond to developments more quickly and not let Sky and BT get there first.

Unfortunately, past experience leads me to the conclusion that we will probably be left trailing along behind again. But maybe this time it will be different. or not...

[jfman]

Another day another article predicting the end of linear TV. I don’t see anything particularly worrying for Virgin in there.

The research reveals that the average UK consumer uses two TV subscription services, which can be complex and costly to manage. It highlights the need for a fresh approach to content provision, based on personalized and aggregated services.

The average consumer can’t cope with two bills. How will they cope without an EPG and relying on four of five different streaming apps to work out what’s worth watching?

As long as one of those bills is for broadband the existing triple play providers will be best placed to cut through this complexity and give consumers a wide range of content on their phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles and last but not least - televisions.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by jfman

Another day another article predicting the end of linear TV. I don’t see anything particularly worrying for Virgin in there.



The average consumer can’t cope with two bills. How will they cope without an EPG and relying on four of five different streaming apps to work out what’s worth watching?

As long as one of those bills is for broadband the existing triple play providers will be best placed to cut through this complexity and give consumers a wide range of content on their phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles and last but not least - televisions.

I don't think Virgin needs to be worried at all, they just need to be ahead of the game for once, particularly given their enthusiasm for all things on demand.

In the future, I would like to see a basics bundle of streaming channels including the BBC i-Player, the full versions of ITV Hub, All4 and My5 without advertisements, UKTV Play, Hayu, Pluto, together with other free streaming services, and a mega-bundle containing the likes of Netflix, Prime, StarzPlay, YouTube Premium, Disney +, Facebook Watch and Sky Boxsets (and with whatever Sky platform transpires as the successor to Now TV once the linear channels are abandoned) with just the one subscription and with the ability to bookmark all this content in 'My Shows'. No doubt, BT will also have a streaming platform in place that we could tap into.

There will, of course, be an interim period when both existing TV channels and SVOD services co-exist, but that is how I see things panning out. Hopefully, we will get a huge selection of streaming services - the best of the Roku channels!

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Unfortunately, past experience leads me to the conclusion that we will probably be left trailing along behind again.

You mean like we did with VOD, Netflix, YouTube and iPlayer?

Oh, hang on...

[jfman]

You are asking advertising funded broadcasters to provide their services for free, or advocating price rises so people can watch content they already can.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by jfman

You are asking advertising funded broadcasters to provide their services for free, or advocating price rises so people can watch content they already can.

Another assumption, jfman. No, I'm not saying that, I am saying that Virgin should pay and include that cost in the subscription. Just like they have been doing for the main terrestrial catch-up services.

[Raider999]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Hardly! I see a bright future ahead. Hopefully Virgin will respond to developments more quickly and not let Sky and BT get there first.

Unfortunately, past experience leads me to the conclusion that we will probably be left trailing along behind again. But maybe this time it will be different. or not...

Do I detect a touch of realism here?

I will make a prediction that in 2035 we will still be waiting for high-speed broadband coverage to reach 80% of the country.

---------- Post added at 19:15 ---------- Previous post was at 19:14 ----------

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Another assumption, jfman. No, I'm not saying that, I am saying that Virgin should pay and include that cost in the subscription. Just like they have been doing for the main terrestrial catch-up services.

If they do that they should make it an additional cost for those wanting to take these services.

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by Raider999

I will make a prediction that in 2035 we will still be waiting for high-speed broadband coverage to reach 80% of the country.

I suspect it will happen before then, but via a wireless technology, not cables or fibre.