Big TV Deals over? Analyst expects Comcast to lose 400,000 video subscribers this year

[Franisdaman]

Comcast’s stock price is hovering around a 52-week low point following predictions of higher-than-expected subscriber losses ....The Philadelphia-based media giant’s stock hit $32.74 on Monday, its lowest point in the past year, before closing at $33.54.

Late last week, UBS analyst John Hodulik wrote in a note that the firm now expects Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) to lose 400,000 video subscribers this year, according to Investor’s Business Daily. That is 80,000 higher than the previous estimated decline of 320,000, and would mean subscriber losses would be more than double the 151,000 Comcast lost in 2017.

Comcast...continues to try and navigate the changing pay TV and media market. For instance, the company offers streaming options to broadband-only customers through Instant TV.

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincit...ts-comcast-to-lose-400-000-video.html?ana=twt

 

[42hawk]

Thanks for posting.

Other than sporting events, I haven't watch "live" TV in 3 years. DVR or Stream everything else. In fact, I had my companies pull all TV ads off the air 2.5 years ago. Market is changing quickly but Football is the Cash King. Every streaming service I've seen carries the BTN.

 

[Franisdaman]

Thanks for posting.

Other than sporting events, I haven't watch "live" TV in 3 years. DVR or Stream everything else. In fact, I had my companies pull all TV ads off the air 2.5 years ago. Market is changing quickly but Football is the Cash King. Every streaming service I've seen carries the BTN.

those of us with cable pay so much per month for ESPN; any idea what that number is?

then the cable company pays ESPN a rate per subscriber each month. Any idea what that number is?

Then we simply multiply the numbers by 400,000 and then by 12 months to see the annual revenue impact on ESPN

This does not look good for ESPN and for conferences.

 

[ChrisVarick]

The ability to turn cable content on and off with streaming providers like PSVue is huge. After I gave up on Iowa Basketball I turned it off and use Netflex and Hulu for content. I'll pick it back up at 45 per month in August. Way better than paying my cable company 95 per month all year.

 

[katman15]

Thanks for posting.

Other than sporting events, I haven't watch "live" TV in 3 years. DVR or Stream everything else. In fact, I had my companies pull all TV ads off the air 2.5 years ago. Market is changing quickly but Football is the Cash King. Every streaming service I've seen carries the BTN.

Does sling? I dropped it because it didn't ...I hop right on that .

 

[ctghawk]

We're 56 years old, and cut the cable last summer. We paid $100 for an antenna (23 channels), and we subscribe to Netflix. We don't get many Iowa games in Washington state, but I can go to a bar if I need to. We cut our costs by over 50%, and honestly don't miss cable.

 

[dekhawk]

We're 56 years old, and cut the cable last summer. We paid $100 for an antenna (23 channels), and we subscribe to Netflix. We don't get many Iowa games in Washington state, but I can go to a bar if I need to. We cut our costs by over 50%, and honestly don't miss cable.

Get ps vue. Has the majority of the cable channels you watched. $44 a month. All espns, BTN. All channels that carried the NCAA tourney. I’ve had it for 2 years.

 

[Smalltownhawkfan 1]

Ok so I’m not smart on this stuff but how can PS vue or sling offer everything so cheap? Once they drive out the cable companies will they stay cheap? I’d like to pull the plug on satellite but I’m stuck in the scared to stage.

 

[bagdropper]

Vue to my knowledge doesn't have local channels to pay rights fees to. I seriously doubt they also have to launch satellites into orbit like DTV/DN etc does.

No set top boxes/dishes/infrastructure either.

I don't know how it all works, but I'd have to think all they really need is the stream itself, and the internet capacity for it's users to link with it.

That HAS to be cheaper "overhead".

 

[dekhawk]

Ok so I’m not smart on this stuff but how can PS vue or sling offer everything so cheap? Once they drive out the cable companies will they stay cheap? I’d like to pull the plug on satellite but I’m stuck in the scared to stage.

I assume limited infrastructure helps. I use amazon fire to access vue. They have no cables to run, no dishes , etc. low overhead. I am now getting local channels On vue also . They did raise me from $35 to $44 this year.

 

[hawkfeever]

The key is if you already have internet then PS Vue or Sling are cheaper, but if you do not have good internet service (we do live in Iowa where much is rural) then if you have to add some sort of internet service or upgrade and add PS Vue / Sling then it can come closer to Direct TV in cost. Most people do have sufficient internet service already in cities, almost a necessity like electricity any more. From what I understand also Direct TV can be bargained with.

 

[hawkeyekid]

Get ps vue. Has the majority of the cable channels you watched. $44 a month. All espns, BTN. All channels that carried the NCAA tourney. I’ve had it for 2 years.

How about college football on ABC and Fox?

 

[dekhawk]

How about college football on ABC and Fox?

My ps vue is now providing local cHannels. ABC, nbc, cbs and fox. That may not be available everywhere. I have a mohu 50 mile antenna that provided the local channels before. That was a one time $50 purchase and sits on a book shelf near the tv. Hd picture.

 

[BigOHawk]

Get ps vue. Has the majority of the cable channels you watched. $44 a month. All espns, BTN. All channels that carried the NCAA tourney. I’ve had it for 2 years.

Their unlimited Cloud DVR is 2nd to none! Love it! Can tag shows and movies and it grabs all current and future episodes. No History channel but love the flexibility, no equipment and no turn on/turn off fees, etc. DirecTV has been messing around promising DVR for about a year, you'll probably get 20 hrs free which is nothing and have to pay for more. DirecTV does have a good picture and 60 frames for motion, as does Vue.

 

[BigOHawk]

How about college football on ABC and Fox?

Just add a moderately priced over the air antenna, I bought several at Best Buy for 30 bucks, RCA antenna, work great and hide them behind the TV.

 

[brokenarrow73]

Thanks for posting.

Other than sporting events, I haven't watch "live" TV in 3 years. DVR or Stream everything else. In fact, I had my companies pull all TV ads off the air 2.5 years ago. Market is changing quickly but Football is the Cash King. Every streaming service I've seen carries the BTN.

not on sling TV

 

[BigOHawk]

Ok so I’m not smart on this stuff but how can PS vue or sling offer everything so cheap? Once they drive out the cable companies will they stay cheap? I’d like to pull the plug on satellite but I’m stuck in the scared to stage.

Good thing about these services is that you can try them for a week to a month, for free! Test drive a few, they are all different and I was in the same boat 2 years ago. Sick and tired of paying $170/month for Cox internet and TV combined, pulled the plug, bought Firesticks and went with PS Vue. All is good now although I upgraded to Roku TVs and an updated Roku stick with more power, 60 frames for sports is a must and for navigation. If you have at least 25 or 50 meg internet you'll be fine, get a new router if hold that is dual band and connect it to 5G, less neighborhood interference. Good luck!

 

[BigOHawk]

not on sling TV

Exactly, I'm not sure what the deal is, money probably, but Dish hasn't added BTN. PS Vue pricing went up a few months ago and now to get BTN looks like I'll need to upgrade to next package.

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

I just worked a deal with one of my siblings where they gave us their cable info so I stream everything and in return they get our Netflix info. Only downside is I can’t pause or rewind live sporting events. But I got over it real quick saving that much money.

 

[BigOHawk]

I just worked a deal with one of my siblings where they gave us their cable info so I stream everything and in return they get our Netflix info. Only downside is I can’t pause or rewind live sporting events. But I got over it real quick saving that much money.

Yes, that's a good plan too. Vue can stream on up to 5 devices at a time so if you split with someone, save even more! or, like you stated use login to authenticate via the apps and it won't count against a stream. Vue and DirecTV authenticate through the most apps by a longshot vs. the others.

 

[Franisdaman]

Thanks for posting.

Other than sporting events, I haven't watch "live" TV in 3 years. DVR or Stream everything else. In fact, I had my companies pull all TV ads off the air 2.5 years ago. Market is changing quickly but Football is the Cash King. Every streaming service I've seen carries the BTN.

who do you use for internet and how much do you pay per month?

 

[Franisdaman]

The ability to turn cable content on and off with streaming providers like PSVue is huge. After I gave up on Iowa Basketball I turned it off and use Netflex and Hulu for content. I'll pick it back up at 45 per month in August. Way better than paying my cable company 95 per month all year.

who do you use for internet and how much do you pay per month?

 

[Franisdaman]

I assume limited infrastructure helps. I use amazon fire to access vue. They have no cables to run, no dishes , etc. low overhead. I am now getting local channels On vue also . They did raise me from $35 to $44 this year.

but how do you get the internet service to make this all run? how much does that cost?

 

[dekhawk]

but how do you get the internet service to make this all run? how much does that cost?

My att unverse is $47 a month.

 

[hawx]

Another option is Youtube TV. I think it's newer but my buddy dropped Sling for it and loves it so far. Not sure what channels differ from sling but might be worth checking out for anyone cord cutting!

 

[Burbank84]

Another option is Youtube TV. I think it's newer but my buddy dropped Sling for it and loves it so far. Not sure what channels differ from sling but might be worth checking out for anyone cord cutting!

YouTube TV has BTN. I like it, but haven't figured out how to easily add time to live events (sports), which is obviously necessary if recording a game

 

[dekhawk]

I’m not A technical genius. Cutting the cord is not that hard. You will need internet and something to access vue , sling , YouTube tv. Whichever. I use amazon fire , you can use roku , Apple TV , etc. I downloaded the vue app on Amazon fire , linked to my wireless and I was in business. I thought I would screw something up and end up sending missles to Russia, It worked and I don’t plan to go back to cable.

 

[SB_SB]

Ok so I’m not smart on this stuff but how can PS vue or sling offer everything so cheap? Once they drive out the cable companies will they stay cheap? I’d like to pull the plug on satellite but I’m stuck in the scared to stage.

I've looked into this and to get what I want, it's not going to be cheaper. And for all those people who say to get Netflix, well I have that too, but Netflix to me is very limited. I use Dish and pay about $85 for a dual tuner receiver that feeds my whole house. Much easier to turn on the TV, scroll through the channels and find something to watch. I prefer the DVR service on my receiver because I can skip commercials, pause, stop, whatever I want. I don't want to have to switch inputs to see what's on.

Personally I feel this whole "cut the cord" thing is a waste of time. If it's a better solution, great, but I don't think it is. It seems more about people wanting to brag about it. It's kind of like how people love to say they can drive somewhere quicker than other people.

 

[Melrose_Place31]

Ok so I’m not smart on this stuff but how can PS vue or sling offer everything so cheap? Once they drive out the cable companies will they stay cheap? I’d like to pull the plug on satellite but I’m stuck in the scared to stage.

All they're doing is offering limited channels and not advertising 1000s of useless ones you're never going to watch, i.e. channels dedicated to 24/7 blender infomercials. Sadly enough, we are paying for that channel. I've also had PS Vue for several years, pay for the middle-range package, and its fantastic...just make sure you're hard-wiring the set top box (I use Amazon Fire) directly to your router. The days of big companies offering HBO and other pay channels is going away since they all have their own streaming apps.

 

[Melrose_Place31]

I've looked into this and to get what I want, it's not going to be cheaper. And for all those people who say to get Netflix, well I have that too, but Netflix to me is very limited. I use Dish and pay about $85 for a dual tuner receiver that feeds my whole house. Much easier to turn on the TV, scroll through the channels and find something to watch. I prefer the DVR service on my receiver because I can skip commercials, pause, stop, whatever I want. I don't want to have to switch inputs to see what's on.

Personally I feel this whole "cut the cord" thing is a waste of time. If it's a better solution, great, but I don't think it is. It seems more about people wanting to brag about it. It's kind of like how people love to say they can drive somewhere quicker than other people.

I pay 55 bucks a month for Netflix and PSVue and get exactly what you get and I can stream it on my phone while shitting in the woods if I truly want to. Its not really a waste of time if you know how to do it. I'm not sure what you're try to watch or not watch on Netflix but I can't even keep up with all the awesome shows they release literally every Friday. Way better than the shit ABC and NBC or whatever is producing these days. They have movie level budgets to make shows, its amazing. PSVue also has a DVR that does the same thing Dish does. With PS vue I can access a multitude of other sports apps with my account as well because it just links directly to it.

Its not something I just "enjoy talking about." Everything is going to Apps and Dish is going to be dead in 5-10 years.

 

[bagdropper]

I'm in a similar boat here. I have a feeling DTV is going away soon and possibly DSL too, without replacements other than unlimited wireless on my phone as a hot spot.

It will cause a massive lifestyle change.

 

[BrunoMars420]

Hulu Live is the only way to go. Hulu is $10 then if you want Hulu live with 100 hours of DVR space and 60 plus channels including all the ESPNs, NBC sports, Fox sports, and all the popular channels everyone watches. So for an extra $30 you get all he plus Hulu #winwinwin

 

[SB_SB]

I pay 55 bucks a month for Netflix and PSVue and get exactly what you get and I can stream it on my phone while shitting in the woods if I truly want to. Its not really a waste of time if you know how to do it. I'm not sure what you're try to watch or not watch on Netflix but I can't even keep up with all the awesome shows they release literally every Friday. Way better than the shit ABC and NBC or whatever is producing these days. They have movie level budgets to make shows, its amazing. PSVue also has a DVR that does the same thing Dish does. With PS vue I can access a multitude of other sports apps with my account as well because it just links directly to it.

Its not something I just "enjoy talking about." Everything is going to Apps and Dish is going to be dead in 5-10 years.

I've looked into it in the past and you're not getting all the channels I'm getting for $85. If you don't care about those channels, then good for you, but I do. I want to be able to watch multiple shows without have to get in and out of different apps. It's not worth the hassle to save a few bucks and then not have as good of a product. FYI, I was streaming in the woods tens years ago with my Dish receiver and Palm Treo.

 

[Franisdaman]

Another option is Youtube TV. I think it's newer but my buddy dropped Sling for it and loves it so far. Not sure what channels differ from sling but might be worth checking out for anyone cord cutting!

I just wish there were a cheap way to get internet because it seems like when people cut the cord they have to get internet service from one company for at least $50 and then you go to another company (Youtube TV, Sling, etc) and pay them another $50

 

[Franisdaman]

I’m not A technical genius. Cutting the cord is not that hard. You will need internet and something to access vue , sling , YouTube tv. Whichever. I use amazon fire , you can use roku , Apple TV , etc. I downloaded the vue app on Amazon fire , linked to my wireless and I was in business. I thought I would screw something up and end up sending missles to Russia, It worked and I don’t plan to go back to cable.

just curious. who do you pay and how much do you pay for internet? how much do you pay for VUE?

 

[naturalmwa]

I just wish there were a cheap way to get internet because it seems like when people cut the cord they have to get internet service from one company for at least $50 and then you go to another company (Youtube TV, Sling, etc) and pay them another $50

This is considered a deal I think.

 

[Hawk and Awe]

Ok so I’m not smart on this stuff but how can PS vue or sling offer everything so cheap? Once they drive out the cable companies will they stay cheap? I’d like to pull the plug on satellite but I’m stuck in the scared to stage.

Personally, I’m tired of calling it “cheap”. It’s less expensive than the cable options that are outrageously overpriced. You see the money poaring into colleges right now and it seems like somebody should ask where that money used to go.

These cable (and general entertainment-media) companies are only in trouble if they refuse to change. ESPN should have cut employee numbers years ago. There was no need for all those people, but because of their ridiculous revenues they had no reason to change.

 

[dekhawk]

just curious. who do you pay and how much do you pay for internet? how much do you pay for VUE?

$47 a month for AT&T’s internet. $44 a month for the 2nd level vue.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

The B1G got the very last over valued TV contract when they signed last year. The NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, FIFA are all in for a world of hurt in the coming years as their contracts expire, but their spending goes up.

It is no secret that people no longer watch TV like they used to. The focus has narrowed sharply for attention. Some are consumed entirely on social media and are subject to their will (insert vomit emoji). They no longer catch real news, let alone sports of any kind.by flipping the channel. Those days are gone. As is all that advertising money $. That's gone to FB and the Russians.

ESPN and other networks are losing money big time. CBS lost $30 million per game last year on the NFL. $30,000,000 on one single game!? And the losses are growing as viewership moves to other angles. The B1G will be losing viewers too. As will the advertising money.

That is why the a lot of analysts say the BTN got the last big contract. Delaney signed it just in time. Other conferences have their contracts up for renew in a couple of years. Think ESPN is going to have more money? Ain't going to happen.

The question is what happens to spending once the money starts to drop? And it will drop. Networks cannot keep forking over cash as their subscribers dwindle... Will the billionaires start spending millions to support their team's salaries? Will universities spend public funds to support programs?? Some universities already are. But once only a handful of colleges are making money, they won't have that option for too long.

Comcast’s stock price is hovering around a 52-week low point following predictions of higher-than-expected subscriber losses ....The Philadelphia-based media giant’s stock hit $32.74 on Monday, its lowest point in the past year, before closing at $33.54.

Late last week, UBS analyst John Hodulik wrote in a note that the firm now expects Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) to lose 400,000 video subscribers this year, according to Investor’s Business Daily. That is 80,000 higher than the previous estimated decline of 320,000, and would mean subscriber losses would be more than double the 151,000 Comcast lost in 2017.

Comcast...continues to try and navigate the changing pay TV and media market. For instance, the company offers streaming options to broadband-only customers through Instant TV.

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincit...ts-comcast-to-lose-400-000-video.html?ana=twt

 

[01Hawk05]

It will all come full circle. We are so dependent on internet that those prices will keep going up and up similar to cable costs through the years. Internet used to cost about $20 a month not that long ago. Now I pay $50+. If it ever comes to a point where the majority of the people use internet for TV, it will cost a lot of money to get an inferior cable viewing service. But the argument is that you need internet anyway so it offsets the cost I guess.

I have also wondered how the people abandoning cable will affect the big money dished out in TV deals for sports.