2015 could finally be the year we can cut the cord
“TV Anywhere” and “cutting the cord” are two vastly different concepts. The former is being able to access television content across multiple devices — assuming that you already have a cable or satellite subscription.
The latter, by contrast, is what many of us have been clamoring for since the first iPad arrived in 2010. Cutting the cord is being able to stream television content without having to pay a pricey cable or subscription fee. Instead, content can be purchased a la carte.
While you probably shouldn’t ditch your cable or satellite subscription just yet, the time when you can is probably getting closer. Especially when you consider recent developments.
Sling TV
For $20 per month, users will soon be able to subscribe to Dish Network’s Sling TV service. For this, you’ll receive access to live feeds from ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Travel Channel, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, ABC Family, and CNN.
Addition channel packs will be available for $5 per month each.
Supported devices include: Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Google’s Nexus Player, select LG Smart TVs, Roku players, Roku TV models, select Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One from Microsoft, iOS, Android, Mac, and PC.
How important? This is huge, especially when you consider that additional channel packs will be available too. The fact that ESPN is a part of this is also important, since they are the biggest single cost in our monthly bill.
HBO Go
In October, HBO announced that it will offer a standalone streaming service in 2015.
HBO Chairman and CEO Richard Plepler said:
So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them.
How important? Price will play a big factor here, especially when you consider the current landscape. Amazon Prime customers are already receiving older HBO programming as part of their $99 annual subscription. What are people willing to pay for 10 new episodes of “Game of Thrones” each year?
CBS All Access
For $5.99 per month, CBS All Access offers subscribers “thousands of episodes from the current season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand, as well as the ability to stream local CBS Television stations live in 14 of the largest U.S. markets at launch.”
How important? Some might argue that we shouldn’t have to pay for network programming. I would agree. However, as CBS is the only U.S. network currently offering something like this, that makes CBS All Access a big deal.
In the future, it would be nice were each of the four networks to get together and offer one programming package. As things stand, some things are available for free, while others are not. This is way too confusing, and really shouldn’t be.
Summary
TV Anywhere is becoming a reality, but very slowly. Depending on the success of Sling TV and HBO Go, however, the flood gates could be about to open. Stay tuned.
