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Sezmi's cable / satellite alternative TV service to shut down Monday, won't be missed
It's been almost two years since Sezmi launched its hybrid antenna and internet TV service, and now it has announced the dream of pay-TV without cable or satellite is dead. An email went out to customers tonight informing them the ability to view or record programming on their Sezmi systems would be shut off Monday, September 26th. The only compensation given for the sudden disconnect? Free access to the VOD catalog before that disappears too, on November 1st. The $20 / month Select Plus package that offered pay-TV channels over antenna never spread beyond Los Angeles, although users happy to settle for basic channels and online VOD had access in other markets. Still, we predict it won't be missed simply because it doesn't seem like many people ever signed up. Despite nice features like unique profiles for different household members, the limited sports selection cut off many early adopters from the beginning. The company is apparently trying to pivot into selling its technology to other service providers, we'll wait and see if a Moxi-like resurgence is in the cards. Check out the letter to subscribers and our original video demo after the break while we plan a month-long memorial service for those soon-to-be-useless 1TB DVRs. [Thanks, John]
Sezmi expands $5 Select service to 36 markets, DVR price drops to $150
Those interested in Sezmi's hybrid TV box should probably double check the availability list right now, as it's Sezmi Select package is now available in 36 markets. Multichannel News points out the retail price for the antenna and 1TB DVR package has been halved to a more reasonable $150, after that only $5 a month is required mix up OTA and internet sources in Sezmi's customized menus. Even at the lower price, we'll probably wait to see when -- and if -- the $19.99 Select Plus package with its premium channels delivered via antenna spreads beyond Los Angeles.
Sezmi expands availability to 10 new markets, premium channels still can't escape L.A.
We hadn't heard much from Sezmi since its February launch, but in "response to consumer demand" it is expanding the availability of its box and $5 / month Sezmi Select package to Boston; Detroit; Houston; Kansas City, Mo.; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Miami, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and San Francisco. That means users can make use of the combo broadcast TV / over the top video box and its various IPTV services, plus whatever OTA channels are available, but at least for the moment, you'll still need a Los Angeles address to pull in the Plus-only premium channels. It's also touting a software update that added "Entertainment Zones," pulling content from various sources together in one spot, but without any access to premium channels it would seem like the market for a $299 set-top box would be limited. The $20 Sezmi Select Plus lineup is still slated for an expansion "later this year," we'll wait for some sales numbers to indicate great its initial success really is.
