[compnurd]

50 or so channels to start is what I was told.

List is already out its around 75

https://www.directv.com//idpassets/fragment/directv/pdfs/Keep-Watching-With-Broadband-Channels1.pdf

 

[CraigerM]

It also says in select markets for the local channels. I wonder which ones?

 

[Steveknj]

Poor article tbh since she split up cable & broadcast in the fancy visual, but then lumps them together in the text. Then she mixes in Netflix & Amazon in with Live TV. And what's the 9.2% in Other? Sat? Torrenting? Smoke Signals? Carrier Pigeons? Cave Drawings?

Yup, totally agree though that young kids don't watch linear TV.

She does say later on:

Yes, but: Traditional TV, which includes both cable and broadcast consumption, still collectively makes up the majority of TV viewing in the U.S., for now.

That was one link, there are dozens of articles on the same topic:

https://www.engadget.com/nielsen-streaming-popularity-vs-cable-164457813.html

Streaming outperforms both cable and broadcast TV for the first time ever

Streaming platforms outpaced broadcast and cable in July's total TV viewership. The change came as new seasons of hits on Hulu and Netflix debuted and live sports and traditional shows went on hiatus.

www.npr.org

U.S. Streaming Tops Cable TV Viewing for First Time, Nielsen Says

Americans now watch more stuff on TV from streaming services than either broadcast or cable TV. Streaming platforms, led by Netflix, in July 2022 for the first time surpassed cable networks to clai…

variety.com

But yes, we aren't quite there yet, but that's where we are heading. Those of us old school viewers are not what these companies are planning for. They need to look to the future (which admittedly American Corporation are terrible at). At this point those of us on cable or sat are hangers on. For some of us there are financial reasons it works, for others it's fear of new tech, and still others, the content that we are used to is not there, or internet is not viable or some other reason, but a lot of these issues will be resolved over time (or we will die off!).

 

[Steveknj]

List is already out its around 75

https://www.directv.com//idpassets/fragment/directv/pdfs/Keep-Watching-With-Broadband-Channels1.pdf

My assumption is that this is only for "live" TV? In other words, if you are recording something on your DVR, the recording would still be hosed during rain events where you lose sat signal.

 

[compnurd]

My assumption is that this is only for "live" TV? In other words, if you are recording something on your DVR, the recording would still be hosed during rain events where you lose sat signal.

I would assume so

 

[harsh]

Perhaps they move into a cloud DVR model (that seems to be more and more common).

The cloud model won't work for those who don't have sufficient broadband (either speed or gigabytes of capacity). Those are the customers that are most likely to keep DIRECTV DBS alive in future.

 

[SledgeHammer]

That was one link, there are dozens of articles on the same topic:

https://www.engadget.com/nielsen-streaming-popularity-vs-cable-164457813.html

Streaming outperforms both cable and broadcast TV for the first time ever

Streaming platforms outpaced broadcast and cable in July's total TV viewership. The change came as new seasons of hits on Hulu and Netflix debuted and live sports and traditional shows went on hiatus.

www.npr.org

U.S. Streaming Tops Cable TV Viewing for First Time, Nielsen Says

Americans now watch more stuff on TV from streaming services than either broadcast or cable TV. Streaming platforms, led by Netflix, in July 2022 for the first time surpassed cable networks to clai…

variety.com

But yes, we aren't quite there yet, but that's where we are heading. Those of us old school viewers are not what these companies are planning for. They need to look to the future (which admittedly American Corporation are terrible at). At this point those of us on cable or sat are hangers on. For some of us there are financial reasons it works, for others it's fear of new tech, and still others, the content that we are used to is not there, or internet is not viable or some other reason, but a lot of these issues will be resolved over time (or we will die off!).

They're still lumping all types of streaming together. VOD and Live are 2 different categories. VOD is dominated by streaming although apparently DirecTV has enough customers for the $15/hr porn to keep it running, so who knows? Live is dominated by traditional.

Also all networks are on summer hiatus, so using summer numbers is misleading. Another issue which is skewing the numbers is that networks haven't generated new hits in years. The last big hit show went off the air 2 or 3 years ago.

I don't think that's a factor of people moving to streaming, I think that's more of a factor of the networks being too focused on wokeness and not creating quality content. Certainly streaming services are also engaged in over the top wokeness which has turned off viewers by the droves. Not saying that American audiences would buy a wholesome all American show like Leave It To Beaver these days, but there is a middle ground between that and supposedly every social circle & family in the country ticking every wokeness category under the sun.

At the end of the day, people will go where the quality / popular content is, where ever that is.

 

[Steveknj]

The cloud model won't work for those who don't have sufficient broadband (either speed or gigabytes of capacity). Those are the customers that are most likely to keep DIRECTV DBS alive in future.

I don't think their goal is to keep Sat alive in the future but to transition as many people to streaming as possible.

 

[CraigerM]

How many customers would DTV Stream need to have in order to survive?

 

[harsh]

How many customers would DTV Stream need to have in order to survive?

That's a question that DIRECTV and its two shareholders are asking themselves often. DIRECTV STREAM is priced considerably higher than all of its competitors so they have that in their favor but that typically doesn't bode well for positive net adds.

 

[harsh]

I don't think their goal is to keep Sat alive in the future but to transition as many people to streaming as possible.

They're going to have to make DIRECTV STREAM a lot more attractive (or DBS a lot less attractive) if they want to make that transition.

 

[Steveknj]

They're still lumping all types of streaming together. VOD and Live are 2 different categories. VOD is dominated by streaming although apparently DirecTV has enough customers for the $15/hr porn to keep it running, so who knows? Live is dominated by traditional.

Also all networks are on summer hiatus, so using summer numbers is misleading. Another issue which is skewing the numbers is that networks haven't generated new hits in years. The last big hit show went off the air 2 or 3 years ago.

I don't think that's a factor of people moving to streaming, I think that's more of a factor of the networks being too focused on wokeness and not creating quality content. Certainly streaming services are also engaged in over the top wokeness which has turned off viewers by the droves. Not saying that American audiences would buy a wholesome all American show like Leave It To Beaver these days, but there is a middle ground between that and supposedly every social circle & family in the country ticking every wokeness category under the sun.

At the end of the day, people will go where the quality / popular content is, where ever that is.

I think wokeness has VERY little to do with streaming. Not to get too political but just consider the BS that's going on around the new LOTR series on AP. Plenty of "wokeness" to go around, TV, Movies, streaming and everywhere else. But lack of quality TV has been the mantra for as long as I can remember, even back when there were 3 networks and nothing else (it wasn't called the "boob tube" for nothing). Lack of quality is subjective. if YOU don't like it, it's not quality to YOU. But Network linear TV is hindered by outdated morals and standards, mostly because it's over the public airwaves. You can do a lot more with streaming (and cable/sat channels FWIW) because it's an open book. Nudity, language, violence and controversial topics can all be done without those constraints, but again, that's been the same for at least 30 years if not more. What's killing linear TV is the fact that you are no longer tethered to a timeslot, to a channel, and you have literally 1000s of choices at your fingertips. Something that has never been the case. Add that to the fact that the kids no longer care about watching content on a "big screen" and are content to watch on their phones and tablets (something I'd never understand, but whatever) and that's something that's cumbersome to do when you are tethered to a channel or timeslot. Blame it on wokeness all you want, but that's definitely not the issue.

 

[Steveknj]

How many customers would DTV Stream need to have in order to survive?

That's a question that DIRECTV and its two shareholders are asking themselves often. DIRECTV STREAM is priced considerably higher than all of its competitors so they have that in their favor but that typically doesn't bode well for positive net adds.

I've compared D-Stream to others such as YouTube/Hulu Live and DirecTV Stream, in terms of channel options, and in terms of ease of use blows away all the competition. And that's especially true if you are transitioning from the cable/sat model and use the Osprey box. Sure it's more expensive, but usually Sat is more expensive than cable. It's a much more premium option, especially if you are a sports fan. Anyone currently using DirecTV Sat can easily transition to Stream. The only reason I went back to Sat is because of a few key channels that just weren't available at the time I switched, otherwise I'd have stuck with Stream.

They're going to have to make DIRECTV STREAM a lot more attractive (or DBS a lot less attractive) if they want to make that transition.

From where they were a year ago they already have. Unlimited DVR is one change they've added. The number of avaialbe concurrent streams is another. Obviously if your internet connection is crap, it doesn't matter, but that's out of their control. With ST leaving DirecTV Sat next year, that narrows the gap even more. For many (most?) the price of stream works out cheaper than Sat as well. And the cost of the Osprey boxes is less too.

 

[tjpsnj]

Streaming backup doesn't work unless you can DVR like the satellite signal. Otherwise, you cannot fast forward through the commercials. If ATT DTV takes away that feature it is no different than the rest.
I do not watch commercials.

 

[SledgeHammer]

I think wokeness has VERY little to do with streaming. Not to get too political but just consider the BS that's going on around the new LOTR series on AP. Plenty of "wokeness" to go around, TV, Movies, streaming and everywhere else. But lack of quality TV has been the mantra for as long as I can remember, even back when there were 3 networks and nothing else (it wasn't called the "boob tube" for nothing). Lack of quality is subjective. if YOU don't like it, it's not quality to YOU. But Network linear TV is hindered by outdated morals and standards, mostly because it's over the public airwaves. You can do a lot more with streaming (and cable/sat channels FWIW) because it's an open book. Nudity, language, violence and controversial topics can all be done without those constraints, but again, that's been the same for at least 30 years if not more. What's killing linear TV is the fact that you are no longer tethered to a timeslot, to a channel, and you have literally 1000s of choices at your fingertips. Something that has never been the case. Add that to the fact that the kids no longer care about watching content on a "big screen" and are content to watch on their phones and tablets (something I'd never understand, but whatever) and that's something that's cumbersome to do when you are tethered to a channel or timeslot. Blame it on wokeness all you want, but that's definitely not the issue.

Hehe... well, network tv has always been more restrictive then cable & pay services. Yes, quality is the defining factor. Just going by imdb reviews and people I speak to (which is a tiny sample size lol) its a turn off and eye roll. But the "young hollywood" that is woke are writing those shows. So you could say its the young hollywood writers that suck...

 

[b4pjoe]

It also says in select markets for the local channels. I wonder which ones?

Probably depends on the contracts DIRECTV has with your locals. I know with my locals I can stream them in their respective apps for FOX, NBC, CBS using my DIRECTV credentials but not the ABC local station as it says streaming is not allowed via my DIRECTV credentials. (It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group)

 

[Steveknj]

Hehe... well, network tv has always been more restrictive then cable & pay services. Yes, quality is the defining factor. Just going by imdb reviews and people I speak to (which is a tiny sample size lol) its a turn off and eye roll. But the "young hollywood" that is woke are writing those shows. So you could say its the young hollywood writers that suck...

Young Hollywood don't want to write TV shows for old folks like me. They are writing Euphoria, they are writhing Atlanta, they are writing Hacks (my niece is one of the writers for the new season, and she's a 20 something young writer). Those are all streaming or cable, not linear TV. The shows on linear TV are geared to older folks like me who don't want to stream or don't even know how. They are watching linear TV because that's what they know. I'll stop here because I'll get booted for being too political. Wokeness is a word this is both revered and ostracized depending on your political leanings and who's talking points you listen to and I'll leave it at that.

 

[Steveknj]

Streaming backup doesn't work unless you can DVR like the satellite signal. Otherwise, you cannot fast forward through the commercials. If ATT DTV takes away that feature it is no different than the rest.
I do not watch commercials.

Streaming backup only matters for "Iive" TV. If you don't watch ads, you are most likely watching recordings, in which case, none of this matter (except that you would not get any reprieve from rain fade for your recordings and nothing changes there). If you're watching a live sporting event for example and it's pouring and your dish goes out, streaming would allow you to still watch the game.

 

[James Long]

They're going to have to make DIRECTV STREAM a lot more attractive (or DBS a lot less attractive) if they want to make that transition.

Making satellite less attractive will help reduce satellite subscriptions but it won't substantially help DIRECTV Stream. Pushing people away does not guarantee that they will choose DIRECTV's other service. Making stream more attractive is the only path to survival.

 

[west99999]

List is already out its around 75

https://www.directv.com//idpassets/fragment/directv/pdfs/Keep-Watching-With-Broadband-Channels1.pdf

They’ve added some since it launched then. Good to know.