So the FCC agrees that it is time to let consumers choose which box they want to use to access their cable TV programming. Good news for TiVo, bad news for cable operators making tons of dollars by "renting" their cable boxes to subscribers. But don't expect that the FCC vote means anything changes anytime soon. According to Multichannel, an addition vote won't come til Spring at the earliest. And then it will take time to implement.
As Multichannel tells us, that could take another 3 years if not longer. Of course cable operators may simply take the fight to the courts, delaying the start for more years. Till then, some cable operators have already enabled TiVo as an alternative cable box, others have not. Some allow a CableCard to unscramble signals but limit the boxes ability to use all the features, notably on demand. The bottom line, the unlocking of the cable box is many, many years away.
Showing posts with label tivo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tivo. Show all posts
Friday, February 19, 2016
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
TiVo Keeps Adding Subscribers
Of course this is all happening as cord cutters continue to strike at the cable operator. It seems that offering TiVo to their customers might be a good defensive strategy to keep customers from dropping cable. Internal pressures might also worry TiVo with current CEO Tom Rogers leaving his post in February 2016. How that might affect the future strategy of TiVo remains to be seen. For now, TiVo is on track to exceed 7 million homes by early next year.
Monday, October 26, 2015
TiVo Wants To Give Away Its TV Research
TiVo saw an interesting way to congratulate the merger of ComScore and Rentrak. It announced plans to offer free its TV research data next year. While consumers may not care so much, neither should research companies. Whether this news affects any companies seems unlikely although the point TiVo is trying to make does resonate. Per Fierce Cable article, Frank Foster, Senior Vice President and General Manager of TiVo Research states "The focus needs to be on how you connect advertisers with audiences they
really want to reach, with data that can ensure that, and metrics that
can verify it."
As consumers get more and more annoyed with ads that interrupt our programming and ad messages that border on the inane, both how the message reaches us and how it builds a positive relationship with the consumer seem more important. Does the Gecko or Flo really sell more insurance or do they push us away; does Jan sell more Toyotos or make us cringe. And as we seek content off the TV set, do ratings really matter?
As consumers get more and more annoyed with ads that interrupt our programming and ad messages that border on the inane, both how the message reaches us and how it builds a positive relationship with the consumer seem more important. Does the Gecko or Flo really sell more insurance or do they push us away; does Jan sell more Toyotos or make us cringe. And as we seek content off the TV set, do ratings really matter?
Monday, May 11, 2015
Can TiVo Build A Better Aereo?
It seems TiVo thinks it has come up with the secret sauce to build an Aereo type product that can't be sued. And while the Multichannel article couldn't divulge just how it can be done, TiVo syas that it will share more later this Summer.
Certainly, TiVo has already found some success working with smaller cable operators as an alternative cable box and OTT aggregator. And the TiVo platform can also work in the home with a personal digital antenna connected to their device. One can only wonder how they can deliver an Aereo type product without hurting some of the cable operator partnerships they have already created. Of course the challenge for TiVo is that it needs a broadband provider to capture non OTA (Over The Air) signals and to share content with wired and WIFI devices.
Broadband access is limited in a community. One can get either from their franchised cable operator, from their telephone provider who can offer DSL service or from a cellular provider. It is that limited competitive arena that eventually killed the Comcast Time Warner Cable deal. TiVo's best strategy has always been to be the better cable box for cable operators willing to share their pipes with both cable programming and OTT programming. As a stand alone strategy, customers seeking to cut the cord completely can access OTT programming through a number of other boxes like Rovi, Apple TV, Chromecast, Playstation and others. A more crowded field that TiVo may find less upside.
Is there an Aereo type strategy that TiVo can deliver? I guess we will have to wait and see.
Certainly, TiVo has already found some success working with smaller cable operators as an alternative cable box and OTT aggregator. And the TiVo platform can also work in the home with a personal digital antenna connected to their device. One can only wonder how they can deliver an Aereo type product without hurting some of the cable operator partnerships they have already created. Of course the challenge for TiVo is that it needs a broadband provider to capture non OTA (Over The Air) signals and to share content with wired and WIFI devices.
Broadband access is limited in a community. One can get either from their franchised cable operator, from their telephone provider who can offer DSL service or from a cellular provider. It is that limited competitive arena that eventually killed the Comcast Time Warner Cable deal. TiVo's best strategy has always been to be the better cable box for cable operators willing to share their pipes with both cable programming and OTT programming. As a stand alone strategy, customers seeking to cut the cord completely can access OTT programming through a number of other boxes like Rovi, Apple TV, Chromecast, Playstation and others. A more crowded field that TiVo may find less upside.
Is there an Aereo type strategy that TiVo can deliver? I guess we will have to wait and see.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Comcast Leadership Threatened By Disruption
As the leader in the industry, Comcast is facing the same kind of threats that have faced other leaders for years. Whether a technological change, environmental, external, internal, or even a change in consumer demand, businesses are challenged to retain its core business or risk losing core revenue to drive new revenue growth. It is why some well known leader brands are no longer around. They fought so hard to retain their business model while consumer fled to new competitors. Examples include Sears, Radio Shack, Prodigy, just to name a few. Feel free to add to the list. It is an epic reminder of the classic business novel, Who Moved My Cheese?.
Some companies have successfully adapted to change. Netflix was a DVD mailing company who was able to change to be the streaming content leader. Apple was willing to let the iPod decline to introduce the iPhone. And they did it again with the larger iPhone, a possible killer of the iPad mini. But change is constant and to stay relevant these and other brands must continually look to adapt and change.
Cable operators face those same challenges as a result of the growth of streaming and the launches of new competitors, including PlaystationVue, Sling TV, and Apple, as well as HBO Now, CBSN, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Consumers can now leave cable, cut the cord, and get a smaller package of relevant content, at a hopefully lower price, and on any device they choose. It is the cord cutting nightmare driven by a TV Everywhere approach. So what to do?
For Comcast and other cable operators to compete in this ever changing entertainment landscape, they will have to reassess how they are delivering their content to the home, what business they want to be, a pipeline or a content aggregator/distributor, and how they want to differentiate to maintain a healthy and profitable subscriber base. The loss of cable subs means a loss of a monthly subscriber revenue stream as well as a loss of ad revenue from a declining base of users. As more and more streaming services appear, each building packages of broadcast and cable networks and other programming, more and more consumers will be siphoned off. The percentage of cord cutters continuing to grow.
To compete successfully, it is time to throw out the old cable boxes. For Comcast, to push out the IP enabled X1 box, or to offer a TiVo box solution, and enable all programming to be authenticated and offered across all mobile devices, on and off the TV set. Update your packaging model to encourage consumer choice. Some homes will always want to buy all programming at one price, but others want to pick and choose their package of service. Market the availability and accessibility of choice, with online access to quickly pick and choose the networks you want for your personalized package at variable price points. Let consumers change within their package at a moment's notice or upgrade or downgrade at will. Make Choice, Accessibility, Variety, Availability, and Simplicity your mantra. Could CAVAS become the next buzzword?
If consumers are choosing Apple TV over cable TV it will be because Apple enabled consumers to buy a smaller package of content and the choice of where, when, and how to watch. Comcast can do the same if it wants to save its cable business model and be the ultimate aggregator and distributor of all content. Or it can become a dumb broadband pipe provider. More competitors are coming to take your cable business away.
Some companies have successfully adapted to change. Netflix was a DVD mailing company who was able to change to be the streaming content leader. Apple was willing to let the iPod decline to introduce the iPhone. And they did it again with the larger iPhone, a possible killer of the iPad mini. But change is constant and to stay relevant these and other brands must continually look to adapt and change.
Cable operators face those same challenges as a result of the growth of streaming and the launches of new competitors, including PlaystationVue, Sling TV, and Apple, as well as HBO Now, CBSN, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Consumers can now leave cable, cut the cord, and get a smaller package of relevant content, at a hopefully lower price, and on any device they choose. It is the cord cutting nightmare driven by a TV Everywhere approach. So what to do?
For Comcast and other cable operators to compete in this ever changing entertainment landscape, they will have to reassess how they are delivering their content to the home, what business they want to be, a pipeline or a content aggregator/distributor, and how they want to differentiate to maintain a healthy and profitable subscriber base. The loss of cable subs means a loss of a monthly subscriber revenue stream as well as a loss of ad revenue from a declining base of users. As more and more streaming services appear, each building packages of broadcast and cable networks and other programming, more and more consumers will be siphoned off. The percentage of cord cutters continuing to grow.
To compete successfully, it is time to throw out the old cable boxes. For Comcast, to push out the IP enabled X1 box, or to offer a TiVo box solution, and enable all programming to be authenticated and offered across all mobile devices, on and off the TV set. Update your packaging model to encourage consumer choice. Some homes will always want to buy all programming at one price, but others want to pick and choose their package of service. Market the availability and accessibility of choice, with online access to quickly pick and choose the networks you want for your personalized package at variable price points. Let consumers change within their package at a moment's notice or upgrade or downgrade at will. Make Choice, Accessibility, Variety, Availability, and Simplicity your mantra. Could CAVAS become the next buzzword?
If consumers are choosing Apple TV over cable TV it will be because Apple enabled consumers to buy a smaller package of content and the choice of where, when, and how to watch. Comcast can do the same if it wants to save its cable business model and be the ultimate aggregator and distributor of all content. Or it can become a dumb broadband pipe provider. More competitors are coming to take your cable business away.
Friday, March 6, 2015
TiVo Claims Better Solution to Comedy Subscription Service
A few days ago, NBCU announced plans to create a comedy subscription service for streaming users to enjoy programs like The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and more. With a proposed monthly fee of between $2 and $4 dollars, viewers without access to the broadcast channel can enjoy these shows. The problem is they already do, on You Tube, on Yahoo Screen, and in the SNL 40 app. Why pay for the cow if the milk is free?
Obviously, once these agreements expire, NBCU could make a case for exclusive access but aren't these online tools helpful in building subscriber loyalty and moving them to want to watch the latest shows. Could advertising dollars suffer in trying to start a subscription service? And aren't there alternative ways to watch these great shows.
TiVo thinks so and is touting their aggregation marketing plan that brings comedy programming from all the broadcast channels to your digital devices. Per Fox Business, "The 'Comedy Collections,' culled from ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, will be customized by TiVo subscribers into bundles of favorite sitcoms and late night shows. According to Rogers, the cord cutters -- or TV viewers who get content over the air (OTA) without paying a cable company -- will be able to easily do their bundling as well, thanks to TiVo's Roamio OTA (Over the Air) device." With a digital antenna and a DVR box like TiVo or Slingbox, anyone can achieve the same kind of collecting and viewing.
The challenge for cord cutters and any of us that use a DVR to record and playback later is that we have to plan in advance to record certain shows. With a streaming service, we simply have to check that a show is available then click to watch. No advance planning or set up required and that has been the beauty and simplicity of streaming content services.
Obviously, once these agreements expire, NBCU could make a case for exclusive access but aren't these online tools helpful in building subscriber loyalty and moving them to want to watch the latest shows. Could advertising dollars suffer in trying to start a subscription service? And aren't there alternative ways to watch these great shows.
TiVo thinks so and is touting their aggregation marketing plan that brings comedy programming from all the broadcast channels to your digital devices. Per Fox Business, "The 'Comedy Collections,' culled from ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, will be customized by TiVo subscribers into bundles of favorite sitcoms and late night shows. According to Rogers, the cord cutters -- or TV viewers who get content over the air (OTA) without paying a cable company -- will be able to easily do their bundling as well, thanks to TiVo's Roamio OTA (Over the Air) device." With a digital antenna and a DVR box like TiVo or Slingbox, anyone can achieve the same kind of collecting and viewing.
The challenge for cord cutters and any of us that use a DVR to record and playback later is that we have to plan in advance to record certain shows. With a streaming service, we simply have to check that a show is available then click to watch. No advance planning or set up required and that has been the beauty and simplicity of streaming content services.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Content Networks Chasing The Cord Cutters
Cable operators and content networks have always had a difficult relationship as buyer and seller. In the early days of cable, their relationship was more harmonious with launches coupled with marketing activities to assure that subscribers saw value from the network and networks built awareness and hopefully ratings. But the proliferation of cable networks, a loss of brand as niche networks began looking more and more like UHF channels, and a price only mentality have turned these negotiations bitter and untrustworthy. The result has been broadcast and cable network drops, followed by ads telling subscribers how horrible the other side is behaving, and then finally a relaunch.
Consumers are changing too. No longer do they seek content simply from a cable operator; now, they can watch TV shows and movies via a broadband connection. And while broadband subscription rises, cable subscription is dropping. Cord cutting is a fact. Recognizing that the cable operator is not the only distribution platform anymore, content networks are constructing deals on OTT platforms. Most recently, it was announced that AMC, IFC, and Epix are joining the Sling TV digital platform. For as little as $20 a month, subscribers can get these nets as well as ESPN, HGTV, TNT and a few others. Less networks than a cable operator subscription package but at a lower cost to the consumer.
HBO has also announced that it too will offer its network without the requirement of a cable operator. Tentatively titled HBO Now, it helps them to compete in the same new world that Netflix, Amazon Prime, and others compete in. With cable nets building alternative avenues for access, the pressure for more cord cutting will only continue to mount. And as negotiations with cable nets lead to drops on cable systems, the likelihood that these networks will relaunch may become a distant memory. Networks can simply advertise an alternative way to get the networks they love without the cable operator as the middleman.
Cable operators have done little to compete in this changing media environment. TV Everywhere is not available to subscribers for all its nets; rather only certain networks offer authenticated carriage, some only inside the home, and with no aggregated way to easily search across a line-up. Cable boxes remain clunky and hard to navigate unlike IP devices. New packaging is not being created to drive down the subscriber price point to enable stronger retention. Rather, prices continue to go up to keep revenues stable.
What does the future hold? I see cable operators dropping cable networks that don't perform. Smaller packages of cable networks but at lower price points. I see operators needing to invest in new generations of cable boxes, embracing the TiVo type boxes that access both cable and internet content and bring it to the TV screen. And I see the emergence of a la carte pricing where a home can buy a particular network through their cable box for access across all their devices.
Consumers are changing too. No longer do they seek content simply from a cable operator; now, they can watch TV shows and movies via a broadband connection. And while broadband subscription rises, cable subscription is dropping. Cord cutting is a fact. Recognizing that the cable operator is not the only distribution platform anymore, content networks are constructing deals on OTT platforms. Most recently, it was announced that AMC, IFC, and Epix are joining the Sling TV digital platform. For as little as $20 a month, subscribers can get these nets as well as ESPN, HGTV, TNT and a few others. Less networks than a cable operator subscription package but at a lower cost to the consumer.
HBO has also announced that it too will offer its network without the requirement of a cable operator. Tentatively titled HBO Now, it helps them to compete in the same new world that Netflix, Amazon Prime, and others compete in. With cable nets building alternative avenues for access, the pressure for more cord cutting will only continue to mount. And as negotiations with cable nets lead to drops on cable systems, the likelihood that these networks will relaunch may become a distant memory. Networks can simply advertise an alternative way to get the networks they love without the cable operator as the middleman.
Cable operators have done little to compete in this changing media environment. TV Everywhere is not available to subscribers for all its nets; rather only certain networks offer authenticated carriage, some only inside the home, and with no aggregated way to easily search across a line-up. Cable boxes remain clunky and hard to navigate unlike IP devices. New packaging is not being created to drive down the subscriber price point to enable stronger retention. Rather, prices continue to go up to keep revenues stable.
What does the future hold? I see cable operators dropping cable networks that don't perform. Smaller packages of cable networks but at lower price points. I see operators needing to invest in new generations of cable boxes, embracing the TiVo type boxes that access both cable and internet content and bring it to the TV screen. And I see the emergence of a la carte pricing where a home can buy a particular network through their cable box for access across all their devices.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Networks Quickening Their Demise
With viewership erosion due to streaming video, network ratings and consequently ad revenue are suffering. But rather than seek ways to grow eyeballs, networks would rather add more ad minutes to stabilize and try and grow revenues. But according to two different research studies, as mentioned by Deadline Hollywood, "Major TV network owners led by Viacom, A+E, and Discovery significantly
increased the amount of prime time commercial minutes in their shows in
Q4, helping to compensate for a decline in viewing." It seems adding ad minutes is both short-sighted as well as likely to drive viewers to flee networks faster.
Advertising is necessary to support content creation and cable networks in particular have enjoyed a two stream revenue model of subscription and advertising dollars. But adding more ad minutes that interrupts content is what has driven users of TiVo and DVRs to embrace their trick features and fast forward through ads. And millennials have discovered the joy of subscription services like Netflix to enjoy content without any ad interruptions. It is that next generation that is leaving traditional viewing patterns.
For now, networks are seeking short term results but it is leading to long term losses. According to the research, "the most aggressive network owners were those with the worst ratings trends". That is to say, more ads lead to lower ratings. Perhaps it is time for TV networks to become more innovative with their advertising issues. It is time to break away from the notion of ad breaks and think more outside the box; otherwise, sticking with the current approach is hurting your long term outlook.
Is it time to consider again network sponsorship of shows, ad integration inside programs, and other ad efforts. Less ad breaks insure viewers stay on the channel and deliver a higher attention span. The longer the break, the easier it is to switch channels. Less clutter, more impact. It is time for networks to reassess their ad strategy. What has worked in the past is now not working at all. The model is broken and needs to be fixed.
Advertising is necessary to support content creation and cable networks in particular have enjoyed a two stream revenue model of subscription and advertising dollars. But adding more ad minutes that interrupts content is what has driven users of TiVo and DVRs to embrace their trick features and fast forward through ads. And millennials have discovered the joy of subscription services like Netflix to enjoy content without any ad interruptions. It is that next generation that is leaving traditional viewing patterns.
For now, networks are seeking short term results but it is leading to long term losses. According to the research, "the most aggressive network owners were those with the worst ratings trends". That is to say, more ads lead to lower ratings. Perhaps it is time for TV networks to become more innovative with their advertising issues. It is time to break away from the notion of ad breaks and think more outside the box; otherwise, sticking with the current approach is hurting your long term outlook.
Is it time to consider again network sponsorship of shows, ad integration inside programs, and other ad efforts. Less ad breaks insure viewers stay on the channel and deliver a higher attention span. The longer the break, the easier it is to switch channels. Less clutter, more impact. It is time for networks to reassess their ad strategy. What has worked in the past is now not working at all. The model is broken and needs to be fixed.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Avoiding TV Ad Interruptions
As the holidays approach, gifts may include new Apple TV, TiVo, or Roku boxes, a Slingbox or Hopper or two, a subscription to Netflix or other services designed to help us avoid ad interruptions. These products are popular, not just because they let us watch TV shows and movies, but because they let us skip through or avoid television ad messages. And the more comfortable we get using these outlets, the more we seek them for our viewing pleasure.
For content obtained off our TV, it is just as easy to record first and watch later with our finger pressed on the fast forward button every time an ad appears. For cord cutters and those watching through OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, shows can be viewed without ever an ad in sight. We pause when we want to and not because an ad is present. And so as TV ratings decline and we watch our shows on our DVR or mobile device, we can enjoy all our shows without those dreaded commercial break.
For advertisers, the challenge becomes watching ad rates go up for spots on linear TV viewing while viewership declines. The economics seem off. Consumers have grown tired of these ad interruptions with the only exception being big event programming like the Super Bowl where the ads become more interesting and note worthy. For almost all other times, they are an intrusion.
This trend toward ad skipping and ad avoidance with subscription programming will only continue to grow. The current model seems broken and it may now be time to revisit the TV ad model. Branded entertainment, product placement, show sponsorship may now become the ideal means to assure that advertised brands get noticed regardless of where or how the content is being consumed. You can't avoid ads baked into the content of the show. Till then, ad avoidance seems like to continue to grow.
For content obtained off our TV, it is just as easy to record first and watch later with our finger pressed on the fast forward button every time an ad appears. For cord cutters and those watching through OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, shows can be viewed without ever an ad in sight. We pause when we want to and not because an ad is present. And so as TV ratings decline and we watch our shows on our DVR or mobile device, we can enjoy all our shows without those dreaded commercial break.
For advertisers, the challenge becomes watching ad rates go up for spots on linear TV viewing while viewership declines. The economics seem off. Consumers have grown tired of these ad interruptions with the only exception being big event programming like the Super Bowl where the ads become more interesting and note worthy. For almost all other times, they are an intrusion.
This trend toward ad skipping and ad avoidance with subscription programming will only continue to grow. The current model seems broken and it may now be time to revisit the TV ad model. Branded entertainment, product placement, show sponsorship may now become the ideal means to assure that advertised brands get noticed regardless of where or how the content is being consumed. You can't avoid ads baked into the content of the show. Till then, ad avoidance seems like to continue to grow.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Traditional TV Viewing Drops 4%
First and foremost, television is not dead. It may have matured quite a bit, but opportunities still abound for those companies that see growth. Still, the news out of Nielsen, from today's Wall Street Journal, is that "traditional television dropped nearly 4% last quarter, as online video
streaming jumped 60%, according to a new report from Nielsen,
crystallizing a trend for TV-channel owners amid ratings declines." Expect that percentage to continue to drop.
The simple truth is that there is only 24 hours in a day and the rise of new media means that old media must lose some usage as users aggregate to the new trends. Print is feeling that effect from digital, radio felt it from broadcast and broadcast from cable. Online viewing will simply take from those platforms. But television, and the people that control them, can still drive success and growth.
The notion of authenticated TV Everywhere with the cable operator bridging the gap of the cable box in the home with online access anywhere and everywhere still makes sense. It enables customization, personalization, recommendation, and ultimately owns and tracks the viewer regardless of the device used to view the media on. That consolidation and convergence creates an advanced advertising approach and data collection so valuable these days. But until cable operators fully envelop the consumer in this bubble, consumers will find entertainment outside the cable box with other content and other OTT platforms.
A 4% drop in traditional TV viewing is not the death of traditional TV. Hopefully, it is a real wake up call to once again purse a TV Everywhere strategy. Slingbox offers the technological tools to do it. TiVo may as well. Cable operators need to push it further and market the TV Everywhere value that they can one day deliver.
The simple truth is that there is only 24 hours in a day and the rise of new media means that old media must lose some usage as users aggregate to the new trends. Print is feeling that effect from digital, radio felt it from broadcast and broadcast from cable. Online viewing will simply take from those platforms. But television, and the people that control them, can still drive success and growth.
The notion of authenticated TV Everywhere with the cable operator bridging the gap of the cable box in the home with online access anywhere and everywhere still makes sense. It enables customization, personalization, recommendation, and ultimately owns and tracks the viewer regardless of the device used to view the media on. That consolidation and convergence creates an advanced advertising approach and data collection so valuable these days. But until cable operators fully envelop the consumer in this bubble, consumers will find entertainment outside the cable box with other content and other OTT platforms.
A 4% drop in traditional TV viewing is not the death of traditional TV. Hopefully, it is a real wake up call to once again purse a TV Everywhere strategy. Slingbox offers the technological tools to do it. TiVo may as well. Cable operators need to push it further and market the TV Everywhere value that they can one day deliver.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
TiVo Wants Its Piece Of The Aereo Market
As Aereo's business model fades away, others are trying to pick up the pieces. The latest to step in is TiVo who has announced a new DVR box that can receive digital broadcast signals from an at home antenna and deliver DVR functionality, all without a cable subscription. Per Multichannel, the Roamio OTA box "is also compatible with the TiVo Stream, a Slingbox-like device that can stream live and recorded TV to smartphones and tablets in or out of the user’s home".
The TiVo box costs under $50 and requires a monthly subscription to TiVo at about $15 a month, a little more expensive than what Aereo charged, but cheaper than a cable subscription. The service is clearly aimed to the cord cutters and antenna households that might want more functionality and channel availability at a lower price than cable TV. Given the court decisions against Aereo, this device might be a great solution, but it is not the only one as other services are popping up as well. With Aereo on the way to oblivion, others are clearly picking at its carcass.
The TiVo box costs under $50 and requires a monthly subscription to TiVo at about $15 a month, a little more expensive than what Aereo charged, but cheaper than a cable subscription. The service is clearly aimed to the cord cutters and antenna households that might want more functionality and channel availability at a lower price than cable TV. Given the court decisions against Aereo, this device might be a great solution, but it is not the only one as other services are popping up as well. With Aereo on the way to oblivion, others are clearly picking at its carcass.
is
also compatible with the TiVo Stream, a Slingbox-like device that can
stream live and recorded TV to smartphones and tablets in or out of the
user’s home - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/tivo-roamio-ota-model-targets-cord-cutters/383346#sthash.TIBw6cO4.dpuf
Friday, August 8, 2014
Netflix v. HBO
One is a cable premium network, the other is a digital streaming service, one requires a cable subscription, the other access to broadband. Yet both deliver original and licensed content in a subscription format. As the leader, HBO has normally had to compete with other premium channels including Showtime, Starz, and the upstart Epix on the cable platform, while Netflix sees more competition from Amazon and Hulu. And as the two services try to crossover into each others space, there is competition brewing between Netflix and HBO.
For HBO, their push into digital is the successful HBO Go app which lets cable authenticated subscribers stream and watch content on their mobile devices; For Netflix, it is access on OTT boxes, including TiVo, who now has some cable MSOs accessing it along side cable premium services. And as each financial quarter is announced, competition extends to their balance sheet. "The company's founder and CEO, Reed Hastings, announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday that for the first time, Netflix has pulled in more subscriber revenue than HBO over a three-month period." While HBO still has more profitability, it has also been doing it a lot longer. But Netflix continues to disrupt the business model and for that HBO and the other premium cable services need to keep pushing their value and content advantages.
For HBO, their push into digital is the successful HBO Go app which lets cable authenticated subscribers stream and watch content on their mobile devices; For Netflix, it is access on OTT boxes, including TiVo, who now has some cable MSOs accessing it along side cable premium services. And as each financial quarter is announced, competition extends to their balance sheet. "The company's founder and CEO, Reed Hastings, announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday that for the first time, Netflix has pulled in more subscriber revenue than HBO over a three-month period." While HBO still has more profitability, it has also been doing it a lot longer. But Netflix continues to disrupt the business model and for that HBO and the other premium cable services need to keep pushing their value and content advantages.
Friday, May 23, 2014
TiVo Strategic Shift To MSO Working
As a standalone set top box, TiVo worked hard to build a market and attract consumers willing to buy their DVR recorder. The need for CableCards and costs to own limited the interest and appeal. It was the Porsche of set top boxes but for a business seeking growth, a slow road. The decision to attract cable MSO partnerships to offer a TiVo rental box to households has enabled TiVo to grow much faster. "
TiVo swung
to a first quarter profit as the DVR pioneer and video software company set a
record by signing on 341,000 subscribers through partnerships with pay-TV
partnerships, enough to nudge its total sub base past 4.5 million for the first
time." As a result, TiVo has over 3.5 million cable subscribers through this partnership and less than a million subscribers through direct purchase.
Unfortunately, the top cable MSOs have been reluctant to offer TiVO set top boxes. Currently, "
TiVo is
only about 5% penetrated with its current batch of U.S. cable partners."Should TiVo start to do deals with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, and others, future growth of TiVO could be enormous.
TiVo
swung to a first quarter profit as the DVR pioneer and video software
company set a record by signing on 341,000 subscribers through
partnerships with pay-TV partnerships, enough to nudge its total sub
base past 4.5 million for the first time. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/tivo-adds-record-341000-mso-subs-q1/374733#sthash.G4sFsn1j.dpuf
Monday, May 12, 2014
Apple Beats The Wearables But Needs More Acquisitions
Of all the talk about Apple releasing a wearable product like an iWatch, perhaps the planned acquisition of Beats and their headphones could count, too. The more I think about a "connected" watch, the less excited I seem to get. For those of us who are watch wearers, I am not sure I would want to replace it on my wrist. So I would have to think it would occupy my opposite wrist should I ever consider buying one. And for those who use their smartphones as their timepiece, I wonder if they would finally succumb to a smart wrist watch. And lastly, I think I would get aggravated plugging in my watch every evening, next to my iPad and iPhone. So now I would need a third outlet and cord. Yes, the more I think about an iWatch, the less enamored I become.
At the same time, the news that Apple wants to acquire Beats, their hardwear and streaming subscription service, seems like a logical fit to the Apple music model and a natural extension to its own line of iPod, iPhone, and iPad products. For those seeking a better set of speakers and headphones, Beats is a good fit. Plus the talent of its owners could play well in the Apple sandbox.
Perhaps Apple should also consider more synergistic business opportunities to extend its brand across more platforms. And with that in mind, why not look to acquire Sirius Radio as a means to truly be mobile, as in the automobile space. Use its satellite technology to drive Apple usage for radio and subscription product. Need another acquisition target, Apple should look at TiVo. It is the ultimate cable and OTT set top box and could be a great big step into the cable infrastructure. In the payment space, Apple could look at PayPal or even Square, a product that already fits well with Apple's devices. They may not be wearables, but each of these companies offer subscription or usage based revenue to grow.
Unless Apple can make an iWatch a must have product, something others have yet to figure out, its efforts may best be served in acquiring more companies in the streaming and digital space. For me, a Beats acquisition makes great sense for Apple. But we all want to know, what's next.
At the same time, the news that Apple wants to acquire Beats, their hardwear and streaming subscription service, seems like a logical fit to the Apple music model and a natural extension to its own line of iPod, iPhone, and iPad products. For those seeking a better set of speakers and headphones, Beats is a good fit. Plus the talent of its owners could play well in the Apple sandbox.
Perhaps Apple should also consider more synergistic business opportunities to extend its brand across more platforms. And with that in mind, why not look to acquire Sirius Radio as a means to truly be mobile, as in the automobile space. Use its satellite technology to drive Apple usage for radio and subscription product. Need another acquisition target, Apple should look at TiVo. It is the ultimate cable and OTT set top box and could be a great big step into the cable infrastructure. In the payment space, Apple could look at PayPal or even Square, a product that already fits well with Apple's devices. They may not be wearables, but each of these companies offer subscription or usage based revenue to grow.
Unless Apple can make an iWatch a must have product, something others have yet to figure out, its efforts may best be served in acquiring more companies in the streaming and digital space. For me, a Beats acquisition makes great sense for Apple. But we all want to know, what's next.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Another Cable Operator Says Yes To Netflix
It seems that cable operators are slowly learning that OTT platforms can co-exist with cable TV and not hurt subscription revenue. The latest cable operator is Suddenlink, a 1.2 mm cable operator, who has agreed to offering Netflix access through its leased TiVo cable boxes. This marks the fourth cable operator to open their doors to the OTT content platform. It also is the largest of the four which include RCN, Atlantic Broadband, and Grande Communications and more than doubles the number of cable subscribers that can access the Netflix service on a cable TiVo device. How soon before others follow? And will Comcast offer the same access on their proprietary X1 box? It seems the winds are moving in a favorable direction.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Cable Operators Take TiVo And Netflix
Three small MSOs have agreed to let their TiVo set top cable box integrate Netflix into the mix. It means that cable customers in those communities with a leased TiVo box from the cable operator will be able to subscribe directly to Netflix and receive incrementally more TV shows and movies. And even more importantly for the customer, TiVo "will offer integrated
search that spans not just Netflix, but also the live TV lineup and the
operator’s video-on-demand service. Netflix will also be displayed like a 'channel' in the guide." So searching for a show like Breaking Bad, a consumer would see that it can be accessed on different platforms, through Netflix, on AMC's channel, and perhaps even on demand. And for consumers, a meaningful benefit.
I also believe it is ultimately good news for these cable operators. Consumers will enjoy the benefit of one box accessing multiple platforms of programming. And it will demonstrate that Netflix and other OTT video services are not necessarily cable cord cutters; rather, they can live harmoniously on the same infrastructure. And these same consumers will be taking both cable and broadband service from their respective MSOs to access their content. Hopefully other MSOs will learn from this initial launch and recognize that OTT may be less a threat and more a partnership.
I also believe it is ultimately good news for these cable operators. Consumers will enjoy the benefit of one box accessing multiple platforms of programming. And it will demonstrate that Netflix and other OTT video services are not necessarily cable cord cutters; rather, they can live harmoniously on the same infrastructure. And these same consumers will be taking both cable and broadband service from their respective MSOs to access their content. Hopefully other MSOs will learn from this initial launch and recognize that OTT may be less a threat and more a partnership.
will
offer integrated search that spans not just Netflix, but also the live
TV lineup and the operator’s video-on-demand service. Netflix will also
be displayed like a "channel" in the guide. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-apps/three-us-msos-launch-tivonetflix-mix/374096#sthash.4rxOOsmY.dpuf
will
offer integrated search that spans not just Netflix, but also the live
TV lineup and the operator’s video-on-demand service. Netflix will also
be displayed like a "channel" in the guide. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/tv-apps/three-us-msos-launch-tivonetflix-mix/374096#sthash.4rxOOsmY.dpuf
Monday, April 21, 2014
Should Advertisers Pay More for C7 Ratings?
As more and more viewers get comfortable with their DVR, networks would love to extend the period of delayed viewing counting toward ratings from 3 days to 7. The good news is that shows would show higher ratings based on how consumers are really watching these days; the bad news, advertisers would pay more for those added quantifiable eyeballs. According to the TiVo research, some show ratings could increase more than 10%.
At the same time, advertisers might need to challenge how often viewers are using trick features like fast forward on their DVR boxes to pass through the commercials to get to the show. In my household, DVR and on demand viewing, especially during prime time, happens more and more often. And the remote is close by in trying to judge when to start and stop the fast forward button. Sometimes, the first commercial and last commercial in the break are viewed in getting close to the show content.
C7 Ratings, used to judge popularity of a show is certainly important. But in regard to raising advertising fees, some formula might be needed to ascertain the true value of delayed DVR viewing. Still it is nice to see that the rise of DVR viewing is seen as more than just 3 days from initial linear airing of a show.
At the same time, advertisers might need to challenge how often viewers are using trick features like fast forward on their DVR boxes to pass through the commercials to get to the show. In my household, DVR and on demand viewing, especially during prime time, happens more and more often. And the remote is close by in trying to judge when to start and stop the fast forward button. Sometimes, the first commercial and last commercial in the break are viewed in getting close to the show content.
C7 Ratings, used to judge popularity of a show is certainly important. But in regard to raising advertising fees, some formula might be needed to ascertain the true value of delayed DVR viewing. Still it is nice to see that the rise of DVR viewing is seen as more than just 3 days from initial linear airing of a show.
Looking
at 10 top primetime shows on the broadcast networks, TiVo Research
found $88 million in additional revenue that could be captured by
switching to C7 from C3. The ratings lift ranged from a low of 6.2% for
CBS’ The Good Wife to 10.9% for ABC’s Modern Family. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/change-c7-would-boost-ratings-revenue/373981#sthash.1IwCTEoc.dpuf
Looking
at 10 top primetime shows on the broadcast networks, TiVo Research
found $88 million in additional revenue that could be captured by
switching to C7 from C3. The ratings lift ranged from a low of 6.2% for
CBS’ The Good Wife to 10.9% for ABC’s Modern Family. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/change-c7-would-boost-ratings-revenue/373981#sthash.1IwCTEoc.dpuf
Looking
at 10 top primetime shows on the broadcast networks, TiVo Research
found $88 million in additional revenue that could be captured by
switching to C7 from C3. The ratings lift ranged from a low of 6.2% for
CBS’ The Good Wife to 10.9% for ABC’s Modern Family. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/change-c7-would-boost-ratings-revenue/373981#sthash.1IwCTEoc.dpuf
Looking
at 10 top primetime shows on the broadcast networks, TiVo Research
found $88 million in additional revenue that could be captured by
switching to C7 from C3. The ratings lift ranged from a low of 6.2% for
CBS’ The Good Wife to 10.9% for ABC’s Modern Family. - See more at:
http://www.multichannel.com/news/technology/change-c7-would-boost-ratings-revenue/373981#sthash.1IwCTEoc.dpuf
Monday, April 7, 2014
Where Should Apple Invest?
Today's NY Times ask the question, what should Apple do with over $150 billion in cash. While Amazon is building a competitive OTT box and Google is releasing Google Glasses and building driverless cars, Apple has yet to announce its next new business. We wait patiently for news about a wearable device or big screen TV, but since Steve Jobs' death, the "next big thing" has not yet come.
So what should Apple do, according to author Nick Bilton. he considers an investment in Tesla as a possibility or the acquisition of a cellular company like Sprint or T Mobile or both. And while content and distribution seem to best work hand in hand, Comcast will face its own uphill battle to acquire Time Warner Cable and stake its claim as the preeminent cable, broadband, and content company (NBCUniversal) in the land.
Most of us expect Apple to update its Apple TV box and to finally release a wearable divide, most likely to be called an iWatch. But what about Apple partnering with Liberty Media and its investments around the world in cable including Charter Cable and DirecTv. Or should Apple go even further and buy AT&T. Why not buy TiVo and adapt is box to accept iTunes and Airplay. The question on everyone's mind is what will the next device be that has the Apple brand attached to it.
Apple has a large chest of free cash ready to invest. And while sitting on it is a defensive use for future uncertainty, Apple has be an innovator. Yet lately, that innovation has lapsed and will continue to wait and see whether its future is one of new growth or retaining value.
So what should Apple do, according to author Nick Bilton. he considers an investment in Tesla as a possibility or the acquisition of a cellular company like Sprint or T Mobile or both. And while content and distribution seem to best work hand in hand, Comcast will face its own uphill battle to acquire Time Warner Cable and stake its claim as the preeminent cable, broadband, and content company (NBCUniversal) in the land.
Most of us expect Apple to update its Apple TV box and to finally release a wearable divide, most likely to be called an iWatch. But what about Apple partnering with Liberty Media and its investments around the world in cable including Charter Cable and DirecTv. Or should Apple go even further and buy AT&T. Why not buy TiVo and adapt is box to accept iTunes and Airplay. The question on everyone's mind is what will the next device be that has the Apple brand attached to it.
Apple has a large chest of free cash ready to invest. And while sitting on it is a defensive use for future uncertainty, Apple has be an innovator. Yet lately, that innovation has lapsed and will continue to wait and see whether its future is one of new growth or retaining value.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Picking Your Next Streaming OTT TV Box
With the release of Amazon's new OTT box, Amazon Fire TV, it joins a competitive group that includes Apple TV, Google's Chromecast, Roku 3, Smart TVs, and TiVo's Roamio. So which one to choose or should we still wait for the next release. Some are speculating that Apple is getting ready to announce and release its next Apple TV box. But if you are in the market now, Mashable has a nice list of the differences among the major brands.
For me, the differentiation that most matters is the content that can be streamed from the device. If your world revolves around your iTunes library, than Apple TV offers that exclusively. If it is about access to Netflix, then all the devices offer that app. Amazon's new product tries to differentiate through other technical approaches including more memory, a unique search and recommendation engine, and a remote with voice search.
For all these devices, the fact is that consumers want to not only stream to their mobile devices but to their big screen TVs too. Competition and innovation will continue to follow these streaming devices but at the end of the day, the one with the best, exclusive, and most valuable content will ultimately win.
For me, the differentiation that most matters is the content that can be streamed from the device. If your world revolves around your iTunes library, than Apple TV offers that exclusively. If it is about access to Netflix, then all the devices offer that app. Amazon's new product tries to differentiate through other technical approaches including more memory, a unique search and recommendation engine, and a remote with voice search.
For all these devices, the fact is that consumers want to not only stream to their mobile devices but to their big screen TVs too. Competition and innovation will continue to follow these streaming devices but at the end of the day, the one with the best, exclusive, and most valuable content will ultimately win.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Aereo Needs Supreme Court Victory
This month the Supreme Court will hear from Aereo and the broadcasters about whether the Aereo business model is legitimate or stealing. Aereo believes that it has the right to take the over the air broadcast feeds via their antenna farm and sell online access to consumers; Broadcasters like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC believe that Aereo should be required to pay for the content from their networks. The decision will decide the fate of Aereo.
For those old enough to remember, households used to purchase antennas that they would put up on their roofs. Homes were wired so that TVs inside the house could each access the antenna. And some fancy antennas could even be made to rotate to help receive some remote signals. As a boy living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I remember turning that dial to access New York's Metromedia station to watch "Wonderama". The day we switched to cable meant the loss of that station but the beginning of a whole new assortment of programming.
Despite broadcasters switching from analog to digital, they still use over the air transmission and consumers can continue to access broadcast TV from antennas. That Aereo has build a business model that moves the antenna off the roof and into a centralized farm doesn't change for me the transmission. So that instead of buying an antenna, consumers lease one instead. And for that they get additional features including the ability to record programs for later viewing. Consumers with antennas at their homes can do the same thing with boxes from TiVo and others. That Aereo has simplified the reception and delivery issue for broadcast signals does nothing to change the fact that consumers could do the same thing with a store bought antenna and in home DVR box. It is for that reason, from what I see as an outsider to the process, that would cause me to side with Aereo in this Supreme Court ruling.
Certainly a loss for the broadcasters should do nothing to change the business model that they have in place with cable operators. The expense for operators to build their own antenna farms so as to not pay broadcasters a retransmission license fee would likely outweigh the cost of the current contract. Plus all the broadcasters own cable networks too and would surely figure out a bundle type strategy to keep the status quo alive. And should broadcasters decide to give up this spectrum and behave like cable networks, then the FCC could make a bundle selling this spectrum for additional wireless broadband opportunities.
So let the battle for broadcast rights move ahead. I see Aereo coming out the victor, for if they lose, they will be no more.
For those old enough to remember, households used to purchase antennas that they would put up on their roofs. Homes were wired so that TVs inside the house could each access the antenna. And some fancy antennas could even be made to rotate to help receive some remote signals. As a boy living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I remember turning that dial to access New York's Metromedia station to watch "Wonderama". The day we switched to cable meant the loss of that station but the beginning of a whole new assortment of programming.
Despite broadcasters switching from analog to digital, they still use over the air transmission and consumers can continue to access broadcast TV from antennas. That Aereo has build a business model that moves the antenna off the roof and into a centralized farm doesn't change for me the transmission. So that instead of buying an antenna, consumers lease one instead. And for that they get additional features including the ability to record programs for later viewing. Consumers with antennas at their homes can do the same thing with boxes from TiVo and others. That Aereo has simplified the reception and delivery issue for broadcast signals does nothing to change the fact that consumers could do the same thing with a store bought antenna and in home DVR box. It is for that reason, from what I see as an outsider to the process, that would cause me to side with Aereo in this Supreme Court ruling.
Certainly a loss for the broadcasters should do nothing to change the business model that they have in place with cable operators. The expense for operators to build their own antenna farms so as to not pay broadcasters a retransmission license fee would likely outweigh the cost of the current contract. Plus all the broadcasters own cable networks too and would surely figure out a bundle type strategy to keep the status quo alive. And should broadcasters decide to give up this spectrum and behave like cable networks, then the FCC could make a bundle selling this spectrum for additional wireless broadband opportunities.
So let the battle for broadcast rights move ahead. I see Aereo coming out the victor, for if they lose, they will be no more.
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