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HDHomeRun gets into the streaming TV business with $35 Premium service
For years SiliconDust has built hardware and software that helped cord cutters and home theater PC users control their own TV experience. Now it's going a step further by launching its own TV streaming service: HDHomeRun Premium TV. The $35 per month setup augments channels a subscriber catches via antenna with traditional cable channels like CNN, Disney, Comedy Central, FX and TNT. At launch it includes 45 channels, and like other internet TV packages there are no contracts or other strings, while recording is handled just like any other channel in its software.
T-Mobile's internet TV box revealed in an FCC filing
T-Mobile is apparently still planning on launching its streaming TV service by the end of this year, and now Variety has spotted this box in an FCC filing. Dubbed the T-Mobile Mini in the document, it can connect via WiFi, Bluetooth or Ethernet, along with a USB port and HDMI in/out.
Verizon's 5G Home internet and TV service launches October 1st
Today Verizon announced it's launching "the world's first commercial 5G broadband internet service" on October 1st. 5G Home service uses the next generation wireless technology to offer home internet service without a cable or fiber hookup. Residents of "certain neighborhoods" in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento can pre-order access beginning on Thursday to get their service free for the first three months. Priced at $50 for people who already have Verizon wireless and $70 for those who don't, it's promising speeds of "around 300 Mbps" up to 1 Gbps, with no data caps. Beyond the "First On 5G" marketing push, Verizon is also branding its service as being built on a "5G Ultra Wideband Network" because of its spectrum holdings, fiber connections and small cell base stations. A video angle comes courtesy of Apple and Google. The package includes three months of free access to YouTube TV, plus a free Apple TV 4K or Chromecast Ultra. "White glove" installation is free, as well as a free router and "router upgrades" due next year, plus a promise that customers will get first dibs on 5G Mobile devices once those hit the market.
YouTube TV apologizes for World Cup downtime with a free week
In the middle of Wednesday's World Cup semifinal match between England and Croatia, YouTube's live TV service suffered an unfortunately-timed outage (not unlike ones we've seen from Sling or Hulu). Naturally, it enraged YouTube TV subscribers who had picked up the service specifically to catch live broadcasts like that game, and now it's offering an apology in the form of a credit. In an email that went out to customers, YouTube TV promised a free week, which for customers on its standard $40 per month plan should amount to $10 off. It also noted that DVR'd recordings of the full match should be available in the Library -- if you can stand to watch that one again.
Hulu's Cloud DVR adds more control over what episodes to record
Along with 60fps support and some new options for Olympic viewing, Hulu is also improving its cloud DVR. Mimicking other DVR platforms, now Hulu TV subscribers will have more choices of what to record when they add a show to "My Stuff" for automatic recording. Instead of simply recording new episodes, viewers can tell it to stash reruns too, or just bookmark the show without recording episodes at all. For shows already in MY Stuff, users can go in and adjust the settings as they prefer. The new feature is rolling out on iOS, Apple TV (4th gen.), Xbox, Amazon Fire TV devices, Nintendo Switch and 2017 Samsung Smart TVs now, with other devices coming soon.
PlayStation Vue drops its cheapest packages, now starts at $40
Until now, in some areas, PlayStation Vue offered "Slim" versions of its streaming TV packages that dropped local TV channels and cost $10 less than the standard options. Now, as it's rolled out local broadcasts from more networks and in more places it has pulled the plug on those Slim options. Without the $30 per month Slim Access bundle, now its cheapest offering is the standard Access package that costs $40 per month.
Sling TV extends cloud DVR to iOS devices
Sling TV's cloud DVR service is now available for iPhone and iPad. The streaming service's DVR "First Look" option costs an additional $5 per month and gives you 50 hours of DVR storage. The iOS devices now join the growing list of DVR-supported systems, which includes AirTV players, Amazon Fire TVs and tablets, Android TVs and mobile devices, Apple TVs, Roku™ streaming players and TVs, Xbox consoles and Windows 10 devices.
Hulu Live TV beta launches: $40 for 50+ channels and DVR
A year after announcing its plans, Hulu is finally ready to start streaming live TV with a beta that's opening up today. Hulu with Live TV is a $40 bundle combining 50+ channels and 50 hours of cloud DVR space with the company's existing streaming service, ready to take on incumbents like Sling TV, PlayStation Vue and DirecTV Now in the battle for cord-trimming customers. In "many markets" that includes the local broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) complete with live affiliate programming, but all customers can expect six individual profiles and up to two simultaneous streams at once. Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins announced the launch this morning during the company's annual Upfront presentation, mentioning that it will feature channels like ESPN, Fox Sports, FX, USA, Viceland, CNN, Fox News and more. Extra cost add-ons include boosting the cloud DVR with 200 hours of storage, or "unlimited screens" streaming that lets users watch video simultaneously on as many devices as they want at their home, as well as up to three devices anywhere else. Both features cost $15 per month on their own, or they can be had together for $20. Beyond that, no commercials on the Hulu library is still $4, while Showtime is a flat $9 add-on and other premium channels are "coming soon."
Comcast could chase cord-cutters with 'Xfinity Instant TV'
For years we've seen Comcast preparing to distribute video like an internet service instead of traditional cable methods, and now there's word it will roll the project out widely. While recent rumors indicated Comcast has signed deals preparing to compete with other video services nationwide, Reuters says that "Xfinity Instant TV" will only be available for Comcast internet customers when it launches later this year. It's an expanded version of what we already know as Comcast Stream, the $15 per month cloud DVR-equipped package it's been testing in a few areas since 2015. In something that's probably not a coincidence, it launched the same month Comcast announced that for the first time ever it had more customers subscribing to internet service than TV.
Two Dave Chappelle stand-up specials hit Netflix March 21st
Ever since Dave Chappelle left his show on Comedy Central in 2005 his fans have been asking for more, and on March 21st they will get it. The debut date was revealed in this brief teaser trailer, which gave just a hint of what's to come. While he's continued to perform, the comedian has been mostly absent from TV since 2005, other than hosting Saturday Night Live last year. Netflix signed up for three specials last year, while also cutting deals for comedy specials due in 2017 from Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld -- a major challenge to HBO and Showtime's dominance of comedy broadcasting.
Sling TV launches new Extra channel bundles
It's no secret that Sling wants to overthrow the sluggish cable providers. But as more an more people start cutting the cord, Sling is finding out that some of them aren't quite ready to ditch the channel packages that they're used to. Now, to cover the middle ground between broadcast TV, streaming services and a complete cable replacement, Sling is introducing new channel bundles for fans of Comedy, News, Lifestyle or Children's programming.
DirecTV Now streaming rumored to supplant satellite by 2020
AT&T is planning to release a DirecTV-branded streaming video service later this year, but according to Bloomberg, it also expects for that to become its primary video platform soon. Earlier this week, its CEO Randall Stephenson confirmed the DirecTV Now launch is still on track for 2016, calling it an exclusively over the top product, with no truck roll, no set-top box or anything else. The report claims that at launch it will be limited to two simultaneous streams, with pricing similar to the $40 - $55 per month PlayStation Vue service.
CBS exec: no recent talks with Apple about a TV service
Since Apple itself doesn't have much to say about its long-rumored TV service, we're forced to look for signals elsewhere. In comments revealed just before CBS announced its earnings today, exec Les Moonves once again filled in the gap. Following previous comments that he believes the service is on hold, Moonves told CNN Money that "we haven't had recent conversations with them." That could mean any potential debut is even further off than we thought, although it doesn't seem to be hurting CBS any. CBS reported (PDF) its highest ever revenue for the fourth quarter, while claiming revenue from retransmission agreements is over $1 billion now, and will be at $2 billion by 2020. According to the exec, "something like 40 percent" of revenue his company is getting, didn't exist five years ago.
Louis C.K. drops future 'Horace and Pete' episodes to $3
Louis C.K. has responded to criticism of the $5 premiere pricing for his new web show in a way only he can: With very creative swearing. "Horace and Pete is a full on TV production with four broadcast cameras, two beautiful sets and a state of the art control room and a very talented and skilled crew and a hall-of-fame cast," C.K. wrote in an email to his mailing list. "Every second the cameras are rolling, money is shooting out of my asshole like your mother's worst diarrhea." As a sort of apology, he also announced that all future episodes will sell for $3 each (the premiere will stay at $5, though).
ESPN exec: Sling TV 'significant' but Apple is 'frustrated'
ESPN has come of age in the cable era, but as internet TV grows and cord-cutting continues, its future is suddenly fuzzy. President John Skipper talked to the Wall Street Journal and commented a bit about the state of streaming and how it's affecting his business. He says the stats show Dish Network's Sling TV (which carries ESPN as part of its bundle of channels) is bringing "significant" numbers of new TV customers in, without pulling viewers away from cable or satellite.
Oscar de la Hoya to launch free boxing channels on the web
Ever since he retired from professional boxing, Oscar de la Hoya's turned into one of the most powerful people in the sport. Now, as the CEO and founder of Golden Boy Promotions, a firm that represents boxers and sets up fights, de la Hoya is looking to bring boxing into the connected age. That's why the 10-time world champion is teaming up with FilmOn, an internet TV service, on two streaming channels scheduled to launch by the end of January. Per Variety, these are expected to feature live and on-demand content, and both are going to be available for viewers at no cost.
Sling TV CEO on the competition and internet TV's future
Sling TV was the big winner at CES 2015. The internet TV service, which is owned by Dish, took home multiple awards from the show, along with dominating the news cycle throughout the first few weeks of January. And that shouldn't come as a surprise: For the first time, people in the US had a decent and economical alternative to traditional pay television. It was a cord-cutter's dream. Unfortunately for Sling TV, gaining popularity at such a fast pace turned out to be a double-edged sword. In the first real stress test for its servers, Sling TV didn't cope well during the stream of the NCAA's Final Four basketball tournament, leading the company to apologize to subscribers. A month later, the Game of Thrones season five premiere created another problem for the service, with many users missing out on it due to issues with Sling TV's Roku app. But that was then, says Sling TV CEO Roger Lynch, who I had the chance to interview at CES 2016. As part of our discussion, he also talked about other challenges faced since launch; the competition from Comcast and Time Warner cable; and what's going on with the long-awaited Sling TV app for PlayStation 4. (Hint: Lynch says the ball is in Sony's court.)
Xfaire's plan for internet TV has almost everything
Even though Aereo didn't make it, we've seen more movement towards internet TV that replaces traditional cable or antenna in the last year than ever before. This year at CES, I spoke to a startup that has big plans for its internet TV offering, even though actually making them happen could be difficult. The product is called Xfaire (inspired by "sphere," for its intended global reach), consisting of a small set-top box with a smart touchscreen remote, that connects to a streaming TV service capable of streaming highly-compressed video at resolutions of up to 4K.
Sony's PlayStation Vue internet TV gets Chromecast support
Back in November, Sony said PlayStation Vue would soon start working on the Chromecast. Now, having teased that over a month ago, the electronic company's finally making its internet TV service friendly with Google's $35 dongle. The only caveat is that this feature's only for iOS users right now, since Sony doesn't have a PlayStation Vue app available on Android. There's no word on when, or if, that's going to change, which means you have to own a compatible device if you want to get a subscription.
CBS exec says Apple's streaming TV plans are 'on hold'
The other half of the rollout for the new Apple TV has always been a rumored streaming TV service. It wasn't present for the device's launch, and now CBS CEO Les Moonves (who has previously been good for a quote or two on Apple's TV plans) says the project is on ice. Speaking at the Business Insider Ignition conference in New York the exec claimed "They've had conversations on it, and I think they pressed the hold button." According to Bloomberg a source said Apple has suspended its plans, and will go ahead with the Apple TV as a platform for content available via the App Store.
