How things have changed

[Bruce]

Americans Aren't Watching Live TV, Study Shows | Cord Cutters News

Is live TV becoming a thing of the past? We’re trending that way, according to a new study from New York-based research firm Attest’s 6th annual US Media Consumption Report. The report shows that 28% of consumers sat they don’t want any live TV on an average day, an increase of 4% from last year […]

cordcuttersnews.com

I have always said, that On Demand and DVR were the starting point, people got used to not watching live, that then evolved into the On Demand streaming services like Netflix, Paramount+, etc.

Paid Live TV basically help create that attitude, which is now leading to their destruction.

 

[glrush]

Streaming surpasses linear TV viewership for first time ever, per Nielsen

Streaming has surpassed the share of viewership earned by broadcast and cable combined in Nielsen's most recent The Gauge.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[Bruce]

Streaming surpasses linear TV viewership for first time ever, per Nielsen

Streaming has surpassed the share of viewership earned by broadcast and cable combined in Nielsen's most recent The Gauge.

awfulannouncing.com

Look at that pretty picture-

This was during when there were still about two weeks of new scripted content on the Broadcast channels, going to be brutal for the next few months, maybe the rest of the year, since the networks and cable channels are cutting way back.

Again, why are people paying that average of $130-150 a month for so little new content, when they can pay so much less, average of $40-80 a month, where you get all that content from paid Live TV, along with about 10 times more content, in streaming series and movies from the streaming services.

Streaming Reaches Historic TV Milestone, Eclipses Combined Broadcast and Cable Viewing For First Time | Nielsen

Streaming Notches a Record 44.8% of Total TV Usage in May Streaming Usage Up 71% Since 2021, with YouTube,...

www.nielsen.com

 

[ncted]

Again, why are people paying that average of $130-150 a month for so little new content, when they can pay so much less, average of $40-80 a month, where you get all that content from paid Live TV, along with about 10 times more content, in streaming series and movies from the streaming services.

Well, in the case of my parents, they are paying for:

1. Local News
2. Live Sports
3. Cable News (ugh, I know)
4. Reruns of their favorite shows
5. All of the above via a single UI (YTTV)

Without YTTV or a traditional linear TV service, they would have to navigate multiple apps and would invariably get confused about what thing was on what app. This would result in many more tech support calls to yours truly, which I am eager to avoid. If the content I wanted to watch was all available through a single UI, like YTTV, I would totally pay more for that convenience, but not a lot more. As it is, my wife asks me a couple times a week "what app is that show on again?" I usually remember, but sometimes I have to use Just Watch to find it for her.

 

[Bruce]

Look at that pretty picture-


View attachment 182666

This was during when there were still about two weeks of new scripted content on the Broadcast channels, going to be brutal for the next few months, maybe the rest of the year, since the networks and cable channels are cutting way back.

Again, why are people paying that average of $130-150 a month for so little new content, when they can pay so much less, average of $40-80 a month, where you get all that content from paid Live TV, along with about 10 times more content, in streaming series and movies from the streaming services.

Streaming Reaches Historic TV Milestone, Eclipses Combined Broadcast and Cable Viewing For First Time | Nielsen

Streaming Notches a Record 44.8% of Total TV Usage in May Streaming Usage Up 71% Since 2021, with YouTube,...

www.nielsen.com

Just noticed this from the new Gauge report-

Compared with this time four years ago, when Nielsen started its monthly reports, streaming has skyrocketed 71%, while broadcast and cable viewing have declined 21% and 39%, respectively, according to Nielsen.

 

[zippyfrog]

Well, in the case of my parents, they are paying for:

1. Local News
2. Live Sports
3. Cable News (ugh, I know)
4. Reruns of their favorite shows
5. All of the above via a single UI (YTTV)

Without YTTV or a traditional linear TV service, they would have to navigate multiple apps and would invariably get confused about what thing was on what app. This would result in many more tech support calls to yours truly, which I am eager to avoid. If the content I wanted to watch was all available through a single UI, like YTTV, I would totally pay more for that convenience, but not a lot more. As it is, my wife asks me a couple times a week "what app is that show on again?" I usually remember, but sometimes I have to use Just Watch to find it for her.

This is 100% what my parents would run into as well. I wish there was a streaming provider that had all the major networks as channels as opposed to apps. Just like how for the samsung tv you can type in 1065 and get whatever streaming channel that is, but just as easily type in 32 and it takes us to our local FOX channel. In essence, YouTube TV but just with a box where someone could type in channel numbers as oppose to scrolling all around to find things.

 

[AZ.]

This is 100% what my parents would run into as well. I wish there was a streaming provider that had all the major networks as channels as opposed to apps. Just like how for the samsung tv you can type in 1065 and get whatever streaming channel that is, but just as easily type in 32 and it takes us to our local FOX channel. In essence, YouTube TV but just with a box where someone could type in channel numbers as oppose to scrolling all around to find things.

Is it still WFLD TV in Chicago? Havent been back home in close to 20 years

 

[Mr Tony]

Is it still WFLD TV in Chicago? Havent been back home in close to 20 years

Yes

 

[dishdude]

This is 100% what my parents would run into as well. I wish there was a streaming provider that had all the major networks as channels as opposed to apps. Just like how for the samsung tv you can type in 1065 and get whatever streaming channel that is, but just as easily type in 32 and it takes us to our local FOX channel. In essence, YouTube TV but just with a box where someone could type in channel numbers as oppose to scrolling all around to find things.

I believe DirecTV Stream does this.

I've been saying this for a while, I think there is a huge opportunity for a service to sell a rebranded Android box with a remote that has 0-9 direct entry for channels. This would really help with the crowd that is looking for the traditional TV viewing experience.

 

[Mr Tony]

I believe DirecTV Stream does this.

I've been saying this for a while, I think there is a huge opportunity for a service to sell a rebranded Android box with a remote that has 0-9 direct entry for channels. This would really help with the crowd that is looking for the traditional TV viewing experience.

Yes they do. Our apartment compound they give us Directv stream (Entertainment package) as part of rent. It's a box that you connect directly to internet or can use wirelessly and has same channel numbers as Directv satellite with 'regular' remote

 

[Mr Tony]

Here is what I use for Directv stream

They also have another option

Works so much better than on a Roku…mainly for changing channels and to set up recordings.

 

[zippyfrog]

Thanks for the info! This is something to consider as we move into the streaming realm. If Dish had the equivalent where every single channel on satellite was available by streaming with the exact same satellite channel number, I would get them hooked up immediately. But the whole idea of going to Paramount+ or Peacock to get to CBS and NBC or something else for the random channels they watch - they would hate it.

 

[Mr Tony]

The other thing on the Directv stream box is you can download apps onto it so no need for say a Roku.
It gives you an option on the main screen and some of the popular apps are listed in the guide for 'easy access'

 

[Mr Tony]

A couple other 'likes' for the Directv stream is (I am a sports fan so ymmv)
-sports automatically extend recordings until game is over.
-unlimited recordings at same time. So during college football season there may be 20+ recordings at same time especially if the previous game runs long.

 

[Mr Tony]

Thanks for the info! This is something to consider as we move into the streaming realm. If Dish had the equivalent where every single channel on satellite was available by streaming with the exact same satellite channel number, I would get them hooked up immediately. But the whole idea of going to Paramount+ or Peacock to get to CBS and NBC or something else for the random channels they watch - they would hate it.

Depending on the market Sling does carry NBC, ABC and Fox if the station is owned by the network. If you're in Chicago you'd get those 3. CBS requires Paramount plus.

Watching Local Channels on Sling TV | Sling TV Help

Learn how local programming works on Sling TV, and discover how to watch local broadcast channels in your market.

www.sling.com

 

[Bruce]

Depending on the market Sling does carry NBC, ABC and Fox if the station is owned by the network. If you're in Chicago you'd get those 3. CBS requires Paramount plus.

Watching Local Channels on Sling TV | Sling TV Help

Learn how local programming works on Sling TV, and discover how to watch local broadcast channels in your market.

www.sling.com

But the benefit to getting all those streaming services, is all the extra programming you do not receive from Paid Live TV.

For example, I still watch a few CBS shows, including Paramount+ originals.

Why pay twice, once to a Paid Live TV service, then I still need P+ for the originals.

Or the other extra benefit of getting CBS shows in 4K, which you do not get with Paid Live TV.

 

[savarese04]

Thanks for the info! This is something to consider as we move into the streaming realm. If Dish had the equivalent where every single channel on satellite was available by streaming with the exact same satellite channel number, I would get them hooked up immediately. But the whole idea of going to Paramount+ or Peacock to get to CBS and NBC or something else for the random channels they watch - they would hate it.

I won't lie - I dreaded moving to streaming because of the lack of channel numbers. I mean, how will I untrain 40 years of muscle memory?? Truth be told, it was not as hard as I thought. one thing about YTTV is it's pretty smart and learns what you tend to watch. It then surfaces that to the top for easy finding. You can also set favorites/reorder teh channel list however you want. DTV Stream lets you do favorites too, which is great.

My rec is to just take the leap - most services have a free trial period so you can play around before you cancel your other sub

 

[Mr Tony]

But the benefit to getting all those streaming services, is all the extra programming you do not receive from Paid Live TV.

For example, I still watch a few CBS shows, including Paramount+ originals.

Why pay twice, once to a Paid Live TV service, then I still need P+ for the originals.

Or the other extra benefit of getting CBS shows in 4K, which you do not get with Paid Live TV.

Don't know why you quoted my post to spew the same old same old 'Bruce post'
You need to read the prior posts where 2 members were talking about finding a possible different option for their parents and that's what my posts were referring to. Posts 484 and 486.
Just sayin….