Cord-Cutting Millennials 'Causing Studios To Take Bigger Risks' Says Lego Film Creator (1 Viewer)

[Mike Frezon]

One point however, we still see the ads in FF mode, and if there is anything that applies to us, or that we find interesting, (about 1%), we stop, rewind and watch.

For my wife and I, this would mostly be restaurant commercials (Olive Garden does food porn really, really well!) and any commercial with a dog in it!

 

[Josh Steinberg]

While I share the sentiment, I'm not sure this is accurate. Correct me if I'm wrong, but viewership numbers, and so decisions on whether to renew or cancel shows, come from Nielsen ratings. The network ostensibly have no idea if John Q Public is watching or pirating a show...unless JQP is a Nielsen viewer and reports that he's not watching a show. And even then, practically, if JQP / Nielsen viewer reports that he is watching a show -- even if he's getting it via illegitimate means -- the Nielsen ratings would show only that the viewer reported watching it.

I was thinking more in the context of cord cutters - I figure someone using a hacked firestick or whatever is using that in place of legitimate streaming services. So maybe you're a big Game Of Thrones fan, but instead of using HBO Go or HBO Now, you use the illegal box, and then HBO is down a viewer. (OK, one viewer isn't gonna make a difference on that show, but for a bubble show, it could be a different story.) Maybe you used to have Hulu, and you streamed all of your network programming there, but with a jailbroken device, they can't tell that you're watching anymore.

And for that matter, if we're honest with ourselves, folks (like me) who use a DVR and skip commercials are also a "surest way to get a show canceled" since we're also bypassing the revenue source for the shows. And again, my com-skipping has no direct effect on a show's performance since I"m not a Nielsen viewer. And last I knew, TiVo doesn't report their DVR data to Nielsen or Networks. (Again, let me know if I'm wrong )

I was under the impression that DVRs were collecting data and sending that back to the cable companies. So even if it doesn't directly translate to ratings, I've seen plenty of press releases and such about "most TIVO'd moment ever!" and DVR numbers giving boosts to ratings, etc. So it might not be 100% data collection, but I think there is some information they get out of it.

And I do wonder about DVRs and commercial skipping, long term. I use one too. I'm actually really amazed that the cable company hasn't yet built in some control that won't allow certain commercials to be skipped. Speaking purely hypothetically, I wouldn't be shocked if that's a future innovation - maybe companies will be able to pay an extra fee to lock their commercials so they can't be skipped. If I was advertising a product or service, I'm not sure I'd want to spend my dollars on TV advertising on anything other than a live event.

 

[Edwin-S]

I was thinking more in the context of cord cutters - I figure someone using a hacked firestick or whatever is using that in place of legitimate streaming services. So maybe you're a big Game Of Thrones fan, but instead of using HBO Go or HBO Now, you use the illegal box, and then HBO is down a viewer. (OK, one viewer isn't gonna make a difference on that show, but for a bubble show, it could be a different story.) Maybe you used to have Hulu, and you streamed all of your network programming there, but with a jailbroken device, they can't tell that you're watching anymore.

This was a big thing in Canada awhile ago. People were border jumping and accessing the US Netflix and HBO streams to keep current on shows like "Game of Thrones". Netflix has put in blocking software to stop this kind of thing. It is just typical of a company to resort to treating the symptom rather than the cause of such behavior which is solely due to the fact that Netflix Canada is inferior to the US version in terms of availability of new shows or current content.

They supply an inferior quality service in Canada and then complain that people are using VPNs to border jump. The border jumpers also include paying subscribers of Netflix Canada, who figure that they should have equal access to content as US subscribers.

In short, Netflix fucks over their Canadian subscribers and then bitches when those same subscribers use VPNs to access content that they think they should have access to.

As for HBO, people were/are pirating "Game of Thrones" because the US airings are ahead of Canadian airings. People watching the series in Canada want to keep current, so they pirate the content because HBO does not provide streaming in Canada. If HBO streaming were available, the pirating of the show would drop substantially, since many of the people doing so have said they are only doing it because the content isn't being provided day and date with the US airings.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

In short, Netflix fucks over their Canadian subscribers and then bitches when those same subscribers use VPNs to access content that they think they should have access to.

In the defense of Netflix, licensing agreements are very complex. I used to work for a small home video label back at the dawn of Netflix, and we provided them with streaming content when they began offering that service. The thing was, because our content was produced with a variety of partners, we had different rights available for different titles. For some titles, we could only offer them to streaming services like Netflix for domestic (U.S.) use only; for other titles, they were North America only. Some were international. Some were weird combos of some of those options. So I just don't think it's a case of Netflix thinking Canadians are inferior as people and deserve less options; it's probably more of a matter that a lot of content today has varying rights restrictions behind the scenes and different breakdowns over who controls what rights in which territory. From the little experience I had dealing with Netflix, I think they would really like it if licensing was simpler and everything could be made available everywhere equally. For a lot of U.S. titles on Netflix, they're bundled together as a package deal. It may be that some of the titles within those deals don't include Canadian rights. Netflix may have tried to go to the Canadian rights holder to arrange another deal (as they would do with my former company when we could only provide certain rights and not others) and been rebuffed. As far as the VPNs go, I bet that Netflix wishes they could just offer one service everywhere and not have to care about that - but contractually, if they're only allowed to distribute a title in one territory and not another, they have to enforce that otherwise they could be sued by the rights holder for violating the contract.

As for HBO, people were/are pirating "Game of Thrones" because the US airings are ahead of Canadian airings. People watching the series in Canada want to keep current, so they pirate the content because HBO does not provide streaming in Canada. If HBO streaming were available, the pirating of the show would drop substantially, since many of the people doing so have said they are only doing it because the content isn't being provided day and date with the US airings.

I have far more sympathy for HBO subscribers and less sympathy for HBO itself in these circumstances - HBO controls the worldwide rights to Game Of Thrones and they own the show. There's absolutely no reason for the show not to be day and date everywhere, given its popularity and the ease of distribution. This isn't a case of Netflix trying to license something else and facing limitations in what they can procure to offer you, this is HBO doing some kind of weird staggered release thing which doesn't benefit anyone in an internet age.

 

[TJPC]

Every month on TCM there are several movies that play on the US network but not in Canada. We get a substitute due to copyright differences. This includes all Laurel and Hardy movies and at least one of the Topper films.
This is also the reason Warner Archive will not mail MOD discs to Canada, although for some reason out public library has many of them.

 

[David Deeb]

To be fair though guys, you're kind of retroactively changing what the term "cord cutting" means.

Cord cutting is supposed to mean doing without TV/streaming services at all, and at most getting by with only a free OTA antenna.

If you ditch cable only to sign up for these other services - that isn't cord cutting, it's just changing your TV provider, and if THAT'S what you're doing then it shouldn't be much of a surprise that there isn't a cost advantage...

I understand what you're saying, but I've always understood and believe the wide use of the cord-cutting term as referring to people "cutting" either corded television or telephone services in favor of modern & wireless (and usually less expensive) alternatives (streaming video services or wireless cell).

But you are correct - if someone just swaps out 1 expensive package for another - what's the point. However, we don't spend anywhere near as much as we used to. Cable TV is out & so is the home phone.

We have HD Broadcast, Roku & XBox & 1 streaming service at a time. Roku has many excellent free streaming apps too - Smithsonian, CBS News 24/7, YouTube, SkyNews, ABC, Pandora, Shout Factory TV, Pluto, Vimeo, Pandora, PBS and many other very good ones including local TV stations.

We might try some other pay streams for 1 month here or there - but honestly - there is so MUCH available through broadcast, Netflix, Roku, and our huge Blu-ray collection that we always have an excellent selection to watch every single day. I don't miss those big bills or those hundreds of useless cable channels.

Internet service is reasonable right now. Even if it is a little "higher" than it is bundled with cable TV, it's still much cheaper. I don't go back and spend that saved $ just getting more subscription services. In other words - we have Netflix - but don't have Hulu, Amazon, etc. One is more than enough. We use what we have and are very happy.

 

[AndyMcKinney]

This article about cord cutting costs pretty much sums up my thoughts.

Cord cutting sounds great on paper, but in many cases, you aren't saving any $$$ vs. cable or DTV. Might actually be paying more.

Well, I must be the exception. I'm saving a bunch of money compared to what I used to pay for Dish Network (over $100 monthly when I dropped them). I have OTA for the major networks, a Hulu subscription ($8.00/month), Netflix ($10/month) and Amazon Prime ($8.25/month, which I mainly keep for the shipping). Those three streaming services ($26.25/month) still work out way cheaper than what I paid Dish (over $100/month).

 

[George_W_K]

Well, I must be the exception. I'm saving a bunch of money compared to what I used to pay for Dish Network (over $100 monthly when I dropped them). I have OTA for the major networks, a Hulu subscription ($8.00/month), Netflix ($10/month) and Amazon Prime ($8.25/month, which I mainly keep for the shipping). Those three streaming services ($26.25/month) still work out way cheaper than what I paid Dish (over $100/month).

How much for internet service?

 

[DaveF]

How much for internet service?

That can be the kicker. I've not seriously looked at "cord cutting" in a few years. But out there, the impression is that you get much better pricing for "triple play" packages. Remove TV and phone and the internet only prices go up.

But it's moot. My wife must have her real-time Survivor and Amazing Race. And we both enjoy watching new series first run. So dropping to only streaming services doesn't appeal enough yet.

 

[Cranston37+]

For me:

5 years ago
Internet $49.95
Cable TV $129.95

Today
Internet $49.95
Sling TV $24.95
+I can watch on my devices when I'm traveling

I like today better

 

[TJPC]

Ironically I have all the sports channels "blocked" in my cable package, but apparently in Canada, you must have cable to get most of them. My daughter has been downloading and streaming for years, but since living with her fiancé, has been subscribing to cable, since he is an avid sports fan.

 

[AndyMcKinney]

How much for internet service?

My internet service comes through my land line provider, so that cost remained the same both before and after getting rid of Dish.

 

[Cranston37+]

My wife must have her real-time Survivor and Amazing Race. And we both enjoy watching new series first run. So dropping to only streaming services doesn't appeal enough yet.

Survivor, Amazing Race, and other network shows are available via antenna, next day on Hulu for $7.99, and a lot of the $20 streaming services have CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox live. Cable's not the only game in town anymore.

 

[AndyMcKinney]

My wife must have her real-time Survivor and Amazing Race. And we both enjoy watching new series first run. So dropping to only streaming services doesn't appeal enough yet.

Is an antenna not a viable option where you live?

 

[TJPC]

Survivor, Amazing Race, and other network shows are available via antenna, next day on Hulu for $7.99, and a lot of the $20 streaming services have CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox live. Cable's not the only game in town anymore.

None of these on line services are available in Canada.

 

[DaveF]

Survivor, Amazing Race, and other network shows are available via antenna, next day on Hulu for $7.99, and a lot of the $20 streaming services have CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox live. Cable's not the only game in town anymore.

Is an antenna not a viable option where you live?

Not practically. I'd have to install a rooftop antenna, run coax through the house and merge it into the household cabling in the basement.

And also, TiVo doesn't support OTA anymore.

So two strikes and it's out.

 

[David Norman]

And also, TiVo doesn't support OTA anymore..

Certain TIVO do support OTA though unless I'm totally out of it,

 

[Cranston37+]

Not practically. I'd have to install a rooftop antenna, run coax through the house and merge it into the household cabling in the basement.

That seems to be a pretty extreme set-up. Everybody I know that uses one just has it sitting next to the TV. Mine is behind the TV and works great...

 

[DaveF]

Certain TIVO do support OTA though unless I'm totally out of it,

Previous gen Roamio, low-end 4-tuner model supported OTA. Roamio Plus and Pro with six tuners are cable card only. Bolt follows that pattern: four tuner with low capacity does OTA, six tuner with big capacity is cable card only.

That seems to be a pretty extreme set-up. Everybody I know that uses one just has it sitting next to the TV. Mine is behind the TV and works great...

I tried it when I moved into the current house. Due to layout and distance from broadcasters, indoor digital antennas don't work well enough. (I did this at my previous home for several years before finally going to cable. It worked about 95% of the time. But there were some weather related issues and other quirks that ultimately were part of the motivation to go to the more stable cable subscription.)

 

[TJPC]

Rabbit ears work great if you are in an urban area. Further out a roof top antenna is necessary.