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Netflix is going to raise prices for new customers, and come to US cable DVRs
Our latest update on how Netflix is doing is here, and buried within the earnings details the company revealed two announcements that have been a long time coming: it's raising prices for new customers, and it is (after years of rumors) going to offer service on cable-provided DVRs in the US soon. The price hike later this quarter will be for new members only and is expected to be a "one or two dollar" increase, while current subscribers will be grandfathered in at their current rates "for a generous time period." The big question for Netflix? Now at 48 million customers strong (37.5 million in the US), can it push through a price hike without the customer losses it experienced the last time it changed pricing? In January it increased prices in Ireland by one euro per month and grandfathered current customers in at their existing price for two years, and says it saw "limited impact" as a result. Netflix executives will take investor's questions live on YouTube in just a few minutes, watch here or check after the break for any interesting details.
AT&T's 300 Mbps internet launches in Austin, starting at $70 with targeted ads
Right on time, AT&T has launched its 300 Mbps GigaPower internet service in Austin. The fast U-Verse tier is available now to residents in "eligible" neighborhoods, while others can vote fiberhood-style for a deployment in their area. A free upgrade to 1 Gbps is still due sometime in 2014. Just don't expect a traditional approach to pricing. To get GigaPower service at a Google Fiber-rivaling $70 per month, you'll have to let AT&T target its web ads based on your browsing and search histories; Austinites uncomfortable with such tracking will have to shell out $99 per month for otherwise identical speeds. We imagine that some won't like the ad-subsidized business model, but it may be a small price to pay for locals who aren't willing to wait for Google's take on high-speed fiber.
AT&T ditches U-verse on Xbox 360 on December 31
AT&T is discontinuing U-verse, its streaming TV service, on Xbox 360 starting December 31, the company announced. AT&T will issue a $99 credit to Xbox 360 U-verse customers to cover the cost of a year's Xbox Live Gold, which was required for the service, and then some. The refund should show up within two billing cycles, AT&T said. U-verse hit Xbox 360 in October 2010. Anyone in need of an additional U-verse receiver to replace the Xbox 360 can hit up AT&T here or call 800-288-2020.
U-Verse dropping Xbox 360 receiver support after December 31st
We hope you weren't bent on using the Xbox 360 as a U-Verse TV receiver. AT&T is now telling customers that it will drop IPTV support for Microsoft's older console after December 31st, leaving viewers with little choice but to use a conventional set-top box. Subscribers will get a $99 credit in return for their troubles, the provider says. We've reached out to AT&T for more details regarding the move, but there are no signs of an official Xbox One substitute on the horizon. [Thanks, Chuck]
AT&T's U-Verse subscribers top ten million as it adds another million wireless users
We've been seeing AT&T paying a good deal of attention to its U-Verse service as of late, and it looks like those efforts are paying off for the company. In its third quarter earnings announced today, AT&T confirmed that the service has now topped ten million subscribers (up from 9.4 million in the previous quarter), and that it is the fastest-growing part of its business, now generating $1 billion in revenue per month. Finally, it announced today that it's added BBC America to the channel lineup. The company's wireless business is also continuing to grow, albeit at a more modest rate, with revenue up 5.1 percent year-over-year as it added 1 million net subscribers during the quarter. Not surprisingly, more of those customers are choosing smartphones than ever. According to the carrier, they represented a record 89 percent of its postpaid phone sales for the quarter, while its total number of new smartphone subscribers stood at of 1.2 million (including current customers who've upgraded). Tablets are also on the upswing, with postpaid sales standing at 388,000 -- AT&T says that represents the largest gain of any carrier, although it's not breaking any of those numbers down by specific devices. Those interested can find the full earnings report at the source link below.
U-Verse live TV streaming reaches Android, including tablets
AT&T's live U-Verse TV streaming has at last reached Android. Subscribers can now watch over 100 live channels from their Google-powered hardware, including more than 20 channels that are available away from home. The U-Verse app also supports Android tablets for the first time, the carrier says. Support is still limited to a total of 30 devices, but those with compatible gear can tune in at the source links.
U-Verse live TV streaming comes to iPhone
AT&T is ahead of schedule in bringing live U-Verse TV streaming to mobile devices: it just updated the service's iPhone app several days earlier than promised. As on the iPad, U-Verse subscribers with iPhones can now watch up to 108 live channels while at home, and as many as 25 when they're away. They also get improved remote controls, new parental tools and a fresher-looking interface. Viewers can grab the iPhone app through the App Store today. There's no surprise upgrade for Android users, however; they'll just have to wait until October 21st.
U-Verse adds live TV streaming via web and iPad now; iPhone and Android later
Following the lead of several other TV providers, AT&T U-verse has launched internet streaming for some of the channels it carries. Subscribers can tune into up to 108 channels while at home, and about 25 while away from home either on Uverse.com or on the U-verse for iPad app. The new iPad app launched on September 30th and Uverse.com streaming went live on the 4th. A support document posted on the AT&T forums indicates it will come to the iPhone app on October 16th, with support following for Android phones and tablets on the 21st. Conveniently, the old U-verse Live TV service from AT&T's mobile unit has already been renamed to Mobile TV, clearing any possible confusion. As far as the channel selection, for in-home viewing on the app it mostly consists of Viacom (MTV,Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, etc.), NBCUniversal (Syfy, USA,E! etc.), plus most sports and premium channels but not favorites like ESPN, which has its own app. Out of home streaming has a more limited selection with the Showtime and Starz families plus NFL Network and a few others. Even though U-verse only supports a limited number of HD streams per home, these don't count against that total. Otherwise, features like video on-demand access and remote DVR scheduling are still active (download for offline viewing is still a phones-only feature), and the iPad app features a new "Home" tab to sort out all the options.
AT&T brings 300Mbps fiber internet to Austin in December, gigabit by 'mid-2014'
Now that AT&T is actually laying down fiber-optic line in Austin, we have yet another reason to be jealous of Texas' weird city. According to Ma Bell, "tens of thousands" will be getting 300Mbps downloads (and uploads), the "fastest internet speeds available" in town to the general public, come December. Those subscribers can snag a free upgrade to gigabit service -- GigaPower, as the company calls it -- when it's available in the middle of next year. Oh, and if you want a say in where the ultra-fast service travels, make your neighborhood proud by voting at AT&T's website. For some reason though, we don't imagine Google will be casting any ballots. [Original image credit: Adriano Aurielo Araujo / Flickr]
U-Verse brings passive aggressive texts to your big screen with 'TV Notes'
Look out, your U-verse service is about to get naggy. With the newly launched TV Notes feature, you can send messages to any connected display in the house, either by set-top box or mobile phone if you're out, and they'll pop up in a hard-to-ignore spot on your screen. There's also a scheduling option for setting messages to arrive at a specific time on a given channel or on a repeat basis. Oh, and blocking out the entire screen with one of these reminders is possible, too -- perfect for telling the kids to dust the 65-inch plasma instead of just watching it.
AT&T's U-verse gets new On Demand hub, promises simpler discovery for movies and TV shows
Considering it's not one of the company's key operations, it's safe to say AT&T's been successful in its efforts to build out U-verse. Now, in an effort to make life on the couch a little less complicated for subscribers, the Rethink Possible network is introducing an all-new On Demand storefront. With a focus on making content easier to discover, AT&T says the UI will make for an intuitive way to navigate the menus. Additionally, you'll find some novel search tools that should make it easier to find movies and TV shows. U-verse customers will now also see a "My" section, allowing them to quickly access rentals, queued up flicks and promos that AT&T may be offering. The newfangled U-Verse On Demand will be available in more than 45 markets starting today, with more being expected to join "on an ongoing basis throughout the year."
WatchESPN streaming reaches AT&T U-verse subscribers
U-verse subscribers often have some bandwidth to spare; it's only fair that they make the most of it with some streaming sports. Appropriately, AT&T and ESPN have just flicked the switch on WatchESPN support for those who subscribe to U-verse TV service. As always, viewers can tune into live and on-demand content from a computer, an Xbox 360 (with an Xbox Live Gold subscription) or their Android and iOS devices while on the road. The sports partnership is also just the start: AT&T notes that all flavors of Watch Disney should be coming "soon," giving the little ones something to stream in between football matches.
AT&T rebrands U-verse Live TV as Mobile TV, plans start at $10 per month
Earlier today AT&T announced the rebranding of its U-verse Live TV service, changing its name to Mobile TV. To go along with the name change, the carrier now offers direct account billing, enhanced picture quality over LTE and a slightly reduced price tag of $10 per month. In addition to Mobile TV's stock programming from ABC Mobile, Disney, ESPN Mobile and Fox News, customers can purchase one of three premium packages for an extra $5 per month. This trio of add-ons offers kid-friendly programming, content from BET or select Spanish-language networks. So, if it's your heart's desire to watch reruns of Keeping up with the Kardashians on your smartphone, Android and iOS users can download AT&T's Mobile TV app from their respective marketplace, while Windows Phone devices ship with the software pre-loaded.
AT&T outs U-verse Easy Remote app for iOS, uses voice and gestures to take control
Not that much time has passed since AT&T announced it was bringing Zuckerberg's social network right to your U-verse-equipped TV, and now those with an iOS device are in for yet another treat. The Rethink Possible company just outed its new Easy Remote application for Apple's mobile operating system, with the main feature being a Watson-powered one that lets U-verse users control their system via voice -- you know, things like picking a show to watch or even flipping through channels. That's not it, however, the app also brings other tidbits such as one-touch access to closed captioning and gesture-based commands. Unfortunately, AT&T's Easy Remote app is only available for iOS at the moment, though we can't imagine it'll be too long before the carrier launches one for folks on a different ecosystem. Either way, you can get a quick glimpse of the application right after the break, where a pretty edifying video awaits.
Cable, IPTV providers reportedly testing cloud-based HD gaming for launch next year
The next generation of consoles from Sony and Microsoft haven't even been announced yet but their best competition may be from your cable TV / internet provider, according to a report from Bloomberg. The only-too-eager-to-talk people familiar with the matter named AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS and Time Warner Cable as services preparing tests before the end of the year with general availability planned for 2013. Comcast and Cox were also name dropped as potential candidates to bring console-quality HD games directly to customers, based on tech from startups like Playcast, CiiNOW and Agawi. Of course, while we've seen this sort of setup before (as seen above, check out an awesomely 90s Sega Channel ad after the break) and recently from OnLive and Gaikai, cloud gaming has yet to catch on in a major way. Whether this potential approach is all smoke or will actually turn into reality has yet to be seen, but after TV Everywhere we wouldn't be surprised to see providers toss in gaming as another incentive for subscribers not to cut the cord. [Image credit: Sega Retro]
AT&T U-verse delivers a Facebook app for TVs
While AT&T's U-verse TV service announced increased support for second screen apps earlier this year and enhanced its own app for iPad with sharing features recently, it's just delivered a new app that brings Facebook to the TV screen. The customized interface brings in user's status feed, friends list and photos, where they can comment or leave standard messages to the service. There's also naturally a tie-in allowing them to share information and updates about the shows they're watching on the IPTV service directly through the app. According to the press release (included after the break) it can handle up to ten different accounts on a single receiver, so they don't all have to post updates to one unlucky members account. Despite seeing many made-for-TV-screens social networking apps we haven't found one that was definitely easier to use than keeping that kind of info on a second screen phone, tablet or PC, but we'll wait to hear from U-Verse subscribers about how well this effort is working.
Editorial: Cutting the cable cord is a young trend going in the right direction
This week I bought a Roku. Late to the party? Yes, but not as late as you might suppose. Roku has sold about 2.5 million streaming media boxes since the product launched in 2008. Approximately 1.5 million of those units moved in 2011, indicating an acceleration of demand. Coincidentally, those numbers roughly represent the cord-cutting movement: Reportedly, 2.65 million cable subscribers ditched their service between 2008 and 2011, with about 1.5 million of those defections happening in 2011. While cable cord-cutting is a trend, the movement is occurring in the context of customer inertia. About 100 million customers subscribe to cable, satellite, and other pay-TV providers (e.g. AT&T's U-Verse). The problematic value proposition of cutting the cord will probably keep massive inaction in place for the short term, but cannot, I believe, withstand long-term marketplace demands.
AT&T U-Verse iPad app adds more streaming video, new sports and sharing features
AT&T launched an iPad app earlier this year and it's recently been updated with a few new features for subscribers to the service bringing it closer to the vision of the ComplenTV app we saw demonstrated at CES. Now, it can link directly to your U-Verse TV box to pull in up to the minute companion content for any sports events might be watching like scores, reviews of previous games and schedules, or share what you're watching to Twitter and Facebook. Also available for all iOS devices is an expanded lineup of video on-demand content including HBO®, Cinemax®, Starz, Encore, Movieplex and Music Choice videos. Also recently added for the iPhone and iPod touch is a full remote control with DVR and guide controls, just like the iPad app already had. There's more details on the free apps in the press release after the break, or in their descriptions on iTunes.
AMC dropped from Dish Network, cuts a new deal to stay on with AT&T U-verse
As June expired, so did AMC's contract with both Dish Network and AT&T U-verse. While negotiations continue with AT&T and its channels remain on for the moment, AMC is already firing at Dish for dropping its channel immediately (after shifting it to an entirely different channel number a few weeks ago), claiming no negotiations have even taken place. As we heard in May, AMC maintains that the real issue is a court case between the two over the Voom HD debacle. For its part, Dish is telling customers the problem is fee increases requested by AMC and "devaluing" its programming by offering it on iTunes, Netflix and Amazon.com. As a result it's swapping in commercial-free HDNet Movies for AMC, and replacing two other AMC channels, WE and IFC, with Style and HDNet (soon to become AXS TV). We'll see how these negotiations go -- it's not too bad now but let's see how viewers react once the new season of Breaking Bad starts airing July 15th. Update: As we went live, AT&T has announced it reached an agreement with AMC Networks, so it's only Dish Network that's on the hotseat now. [Thanks, @soulfliesfree]
AT&T stops offering Xbox 360 U-verse bundle until it can deliver an updated version
In a relatively strange fashion, AT&T's quietly pulled the plug on its U-verse kit for the Xbox 360 -- at least for the time being. According to a note on its own site, the company's taking some time to focus on "improving and enhancing" its U-verse bundle. This is probably a reference to the updated app (that would also require XBL Gold) AT&T promised for the new dashboard with Kinect support and a new UI, but has yet to deliver. As Multichannel points out, earlier last week Netflix had filed a complaint with the FCC, claiming that AT&T's U-verse on Xbox violated network neutrality regulations -- though, it's unclear whether this had anything to do with the outfit's decision to suspend the service. AT&T has said the set-top kit won't "be available until the new enhancements and functionality are added," so we'd recommend not holding your breath for too long.
