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Comcast will put Netflix on its cable set-top boxes
Comcast and Netflix have usually been bitter enemies, to put it mildly, but it looks like they can find some common ground. The two have announced a deal that will put Netflix on Comcast's X1 set-top boxes sometime later in 2016. The terms of the pact aren't public, but Recode tipsters understand that it'll be similar to the arrangements Netflix has been making with other cable providers for years. You'll hear more closer to launch, the companies say.
Comcast brings its gigabit internet service to Nashville
Comcast announced that it's beginning an "advanced consumer trial" of gigabit service in Nashville. It's the second area to roll out the DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem powered speeds after Atlanta, and it doesn't look like the policies have changed. Customers living in areas where it's available can get the 1Gb down / 35Mb up speeds for $70 with no bandwidth cap... if they're willing to agree to a 36 month service contract. Otherwise, a 1TB capped offering is available with no contract for $140 per month. As DSL Reports points out, the contract offering should keep customers tied up until whenever Google Fiber properly rolls out... almost as if it were planned that way.
Facebook and Microsoft are building a huge trans-Atlantic data cable
Microsoft and Facebook today have announced a partnership to build a massive underwater data cable connecting the US to Europe, an effort that'll help the two internet giants better move data back and forth around the world. The cable, dubbed "MAREA," should be ready by October 2017 and will have an insane estimated data capacity of 160Tbps, making it the highest-capacity subsea cable to ever cross the Atlantic.
Charter will axe the Time Warner Cable brand
As of today, Charter officially owns both Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks... and the newly expanded telecom giant isn't wasting much time making changes. A spokesman tells Bloomberg that Charter will eventually drop both the Bright House and Time Warner Cable names. Yes, that's right: Time Warner Cable, a name that's synonymous with terrible customer support and sub-par service quality, is going away. It's largely a symbolic move, but likely a welcome one -- especially if you're still trying to remember that Time Warner and Time Warner Cable are separate companies.
WatchESPN brings live and on-demand sports to Android TV
ESPN's streaming app is already available on a number of streaming gadgets and mobile devices, and now you can watch it on Android TV. WatchESPN's live and on-demand content is now available on Sony 4K HDR Ultra HD TVs, Sharp Aquos Android TV, Nexus Player, Nvidia Shield and Razer Forge TV. The company says that the app will makes its way to Philips and RCA devices "at a later date." If you'll recall, WatchESPN was already available on Google's Chromecast streaming dongle.
Hulu is working on a live TV service for cord-cutters
Hulu is reportedly working on a new live TV platform that's designed to tempt cable subscribers to cut the cord. The Wall Street Journal believes that Hulu has ambitions to square off against both domestic cable providers as well as Sling TV and PlayStation Vue. Rather than trying to broadcast every channel in existence, it's claimed that the company will focus on quality over quantity. Given that Hulu is part-owned by Disney and 20th Century Fox, you can assume that ABC, ESPN and Fox will be lynchpins of the new platform. The same report explains that Hulu will enable customers to record their own shows in the cloud, rather than on a DVR.
Comcast bumps its trial data caps to 1TB
The frustration with Comcast's trial data caps doesn't just center around their existence -- it's that they're too low for many users. A 300GB monthly limit isn't much in an era where even software updates can chew up a few gigabytes, let alone 4K videos or downloadable games. However, Comcast is tackling some of those complaints. It's increasing the cap in all its trial regions to 1TB by June 1st, regardless of what tier you're using. That's still not ideal, but it reduces the chances that you'll have to choose between watching Netflix and backing up your photos.
Google is bringing TV listings to search results
In its quest to bring more valuable information to search, Google will soon add live TV listings to results, allowing you to find out exactly when and what channel your favourite film or TV show is on next. The new module won't just include cable or over-the-air availability, the search giant will also display which apps and websites also host the content you're looking for, whether it's on Google Play, YouTube, iTunes or another streaming service.
Comcast Xfinity heads to Roku and Samsung TVs without a box (update: FCC responds)
While the FCC is working on ways to "unlock the box," Comcast announced plans for its Xfinity TV service that don't require the set-top add-on. Later this year, the company will release an Xfinity TV Partner app for Roku-powered TVs and streaming gadgets as well as Samsung's 2016 line of smart TVs. The app is part of a wider Xfinity TV Partner Program from Comcast, which brings its cable service to consumer home entertainment devices while nixing the extra cost of renting a box.
Obama backs FCC plan to open up cable box competition
Back in February, the FCC voted to fight cable's grip on pricey set-top boxes that come bundled with TV service. Part the so-called Unlock the Box initiative is a 60-day comment period on the commission's proposal. This week, President Barack Obama chimed in, urging the FCC to make a move that encourages competition and promotes innovation. Right now, customers have to rent equipment from a cable provider in order to get TV service. There are few choices and the cable companies set the prices, tacking on hundreds of dollars a year to monthly bills.
Layer3 vows to fix cable TV, not replace it
The prevailing wisdom among the internet literati is that old-school TV is on the way out. When even the incumbents are catering to cord-cutters, surely internet-only video will be the way of the future, isn't it? Don't tell that to Layer3 TV. It's revealing plans for an upcoming cable TV service that, theoretically, tackles some of the biggest problems you run into with conventional providers like Comcast or Time Warner Cable. For a start, Layer3 wants to avoid the overly compressed video that you typically endure -- it's using efficient HEVC (H.265) encoding and a fiber optic backbone to keep bandwidth use in check and maintain the highest quality possible. You're also promised very precise service appointment windows (within one hour) and set-top box installation so simple that you'll eventually get to do it yourself.
Cablevision customers can access Hulu like any other channel
Almost a year ago, Cablevision announced plans to become the first cable provider to offer Hulu through its regular service. Today, the on-demand streaming option is finally being added to Optimum TV on the company's current-gen set-top boxes. What's more, customers can access Hulu's library of content just like any other channel. From there, users can browse the full collection of content in further detail. To get Hulu to its customer's set-top boxes, Cablevision is leveraging ActiveVideo's CloudTV StreamCast technology. If you'll recall, Netflix already made the leap to some cable boxes with its lineup of streaming content.
Starz launches its own streaming service with offline viewing
The home of Blunt Talk, Outlander and Black Sails is copying HBO and Showtime by launching its own streaming service. Priced at $8.99 a month, Starz is letting its users watch the channel's original series and licensed movies on-demand. The big difference between Starz and rivals like HBO and Netflix is that this service will let users download and watch titles offline. That way, you'll be able to marathon the latest Disney movies like Age of Ultron and The Force Awakens on a long haul flight. In addition, if you already pay for Starz through your cable subscription and aren't ready to cut the cord yet, you'll be able to get free access to the app.
Comcast starts rolling out gigabit internet access in Atlanta
At last, Comcast's promised gigabit internet rollout is starting in earnest. The cable giant is beginning an "advanced consumer trial" of the extra-quick, DOCSIS 3.1-based broadband in multiple Atlanta neighborhoods, with additional cities coming this year. You'll have to make a big commitment if you want in, though. It costs $70 per month if you lock yourself into a 3-year contract, and it's an eye-watering $140 per month if you want the freedom to leave at any time. And it gets worse: if you don't commit to that contract, you'll have to accept a 300GB monthly data cap that's trivially low for the speed. Assuming you max out your connection, you could blow through your limit in 40 minutes.
AT&T is bringing internet-style targeted advertising to TV
Targeted ads are coming to your TV by of AT&T. The telco is partnering with video advertising company Videology to sell ads based specifically on what the two think you're looking for, according to The Wall Street Journal. The tech is based on, among other things, the channels you watch and demographic info.
Verizon is adding a ton of new channels to FiOS 'Custom' TV
When Verizon launched its Custom TV offering last year, the picking were a bit slim. That's changing. The base "Essentials" package from before only offered a paltry 35 channels. That's since ballooned to 190 and includes local stations but not sports networks; for what's available in your area, check out this list. If you're a fan of los deportes you'll have to sign up for the "Sports and More" package with 160 channels for access to the likes of ESPN.
FCC votes to fight cable's reign over set-top boxes
Last month, reports surfaced that the FCC planned to pry set-top boxes out of hands of cable and satellite companies. Today, the Commission passed the "Unlock the Box" plan that would do just that. The proposal aims to introduce more competition when it comes to the boxes you rent from television providers. As it stands, you have to lease the equipment from a cable or satellite company for a monthly fee that's added to your bill. You have little choice in the matter, and those fees earn service providers millions of dollars a year. With the FCC plan, opening up cable boxes to third parties would not only lower costs, but make it easier for pay-TV subscribers to tap into internet programming like Netflix and Hulu.
Apple is replacing USB-C cables that shipped with early MacBooks
If you were an early adopter of Apple's slimmed-down MacBook, then this may apply to you. According to the company, a "limited number" of laptops sold between its launch in April of 2015 and June 2015 have USB-C cables that could fail due to an unspecified "design issue." You can identify the faulty cables that need replacing by reading the label, which says "Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China." without a serial number after that. The MacBook was one of the first devices to support the new standard when it arrived last year, and since then we've come to learn that finding quality cables is both harder and more important than ever.
The FCC is going to war over set-top boxes
The FCC is preparing to propose rule changes that'll loosen cable companies' stranglehold on the set-top box market. According to the Wall Street Journal, Tom Wheeler is planning to give consumers far more choice over what hardware they can use. Right now, if you're a Comcast user, then you're expected to rent a Comcast box, or shell out for a TiVo and pay for it to be installed. The FCC, however, wants you to be able to choose whatever damn box you wanna use, so long as it's fit for purpose. AllVid is back, baby!
Time Warner Cable's monthly prices are going up in New York
Last month, Time Warner Cable confirmed some customers would see their bill go up beginning in mid-January. And, well, here we are. The upcoming price hikes apply to both cable and internet users in the state of New York, as the Albany Times Union pointed out. For starters, TWC's Basic and Standard web services will now cost $49.99 and $59.99 per month, compared to the previous $47.99 and $57.99, respectively. That's not much of a change right away, sure, but it adds up over time.
