Peacock TV

[QChawks]

The streaming video section continues to exchange. Now NBC is jumping in. the olympics were supposed to be the big pull.

Since NBC Universal is owned by Comcast, Xfinity X1 and Flex will get the first chance to preview the new streaming service. Everyone else will see Peacock preen its feathers on July 15.

Peacock Premium members can also watch Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers first, without staying up late, as the The Tonight Show and Late Night programs will start streaming at 8 p.m. Eastern.


When Peacock fully takes flight in July, you will be able to made the decision of Peacock Free vs Premium. Both are ad-supported, but the premium tier costs $4.99 per month and comes with 15,000 hours of content including originals, current NBC shows and hit movies. There's another ad-free tier on top of that which costs $5 more per month. (Xfinity X1 and Flex automatically get Peacock Premium with ads, included with their subscription.)

 

[srams21]

Seems like a decent amount of content for $5 a month.

However, at what point will every network have their own streaming service?

 

[BioHawk]

Seems like a decent amount of content for $5 a month.

However, at what point will every network have their own streaming service?

It will happen, and it's the way it should be. We will no longer be bound by cable companies and satellite television providers dictating what stations we get and will be able to pick and choose specific stations we want. There will always be a market for local stations, but the rest will be ala carte. At least until some of the afformentioned providers finally get it through their thick skulls that the old business model is over and start providing packages where people can just pick and choose the stations they want (and provide direct access to programs) and adjust the price of their bill accordingly. I think people would pay for the convience of that, rather than having to flip between 10-12 different streaming services all the time.

 

[NDallasRuss]

Seems like a decent amount of content for $5 a month.

However, at what point will every network have their own streaming service?

And then they'll start bundling and combining services, until the point at which we're essentially back to where we are/were with cable - that for a lot of people it'll be cheaper to buy larger bundles then it would be to pick and choose just a couple.

Disney's already done it with Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. I think it'll become more and more common to see larger bundles being offered for discounted prices.

 

[ping72]

I don’t watch anything on network tv anymore except occasionally the local news. It all sucks.

And unfortunately, 2/4 of our networks are owned by Sinclair so there’s only two local news I’ll watch.

 

[hawkchick30]

I'm very pumped for Psych: 2, Lassie Come Home to premiere tomorrow. I loved that show....it was just stupid fun.

 

[NDallasRuss]

At least until some of the afformentioned providers finally get it through their thick skulls that the old business model is over and start providing packages where people can just pick and choose the stations they want (and provide direct access to programs) and adjust the price of their bill accordingly.

It's not necessarily just up to the provider.

If a company owns multiple network - like Disney - they have some that are more successful and some that are less successful. Their revenue is driven by ad revenue as much as carriage rates, so they benefit from having as many of their networks as possible, placed onto the highest tier they can get: the more subscribers they reach, the more potential eyes on commercials, the more revenue they get. So, they tie their lower networks to their key, most popular networks, so they all get carried. It's cheaper for the cable/satellite company, which is in turn cheaper for the subscribers to get all those extra channels they don't need.

A la carte cable/satellite service ends up being more expensive for most people, and provides the fewest number of viewing options, as niche networks are unable to survive and are killed off by the owning companies.

Some people don't care because they don't watch (name of niche network), but they do watch (name of another niche network), which others don't watch. So, "I only want to pay for the channels I want to watch" becomes "the channels I want to watch no longer exist", unless you only watch the most basic, most popular channels.

 

[srams21]

A la carte cable/satellite service ends up being more expensive for most people, and provides the fewest number of viewing options, as niche networks are unable to survive and are killed off by the owning companies.

Some people don't care because they don't watch (name of niche network), but they do watch (name of another niche network), which others don't watch. So, "I only want to pay for the channels I want to watch" becomes "the channels I want to watch no longer exist", unless you only watch the most basic, most popular channels.

This. Most networks fall under the category of "niche" network. They are paid for by a handful of popular channels ( The big 4) plus ESPN and HGTV.

I am somewhat intrigued by Pluto and Sling TV. I might explore those options a little more. Especially if we don't get sports back.

 

[wneff]

Through the end of today you can get the $4.99/month package for $29.99 for a year. That's what I got.

 

[srams21]

Through the end of today you can get the $4.99/month package for $29.99 for a year. That's what I got.

Is that for one year or until the end of this year?

 

[StormHawk42]

This. Most networks fall under the category of "niche" network. They are paid for by a handful of popular channels ( The big 4) plus ESPN and HGTV.

I am somewhat intrigued by Pluto and Sling TV. I might explore those options a little more. Especially if we don't get sports back.

Pluto is nice just because it’s free and it’s a nice service to just watch reruns of old shows on lesser networks like American Gladiators or 1000 Ways to Die.

Just accept the fact that you’ll see the same 5-10 ads over and over and over again.

 

[BioHawk]

It's not necessarily just up to the provider.

If a company owns multiple network - like Disney - they have some that are more successful and some that are less successful. Their revenue is driven by ad revenue as much as carriage rates, so they benefit from having as many of their networks as possible, placed onto the highest tier they can get: the more subscribers they reach, the more potential eyes on commercials, the more revenue they get. So, they tie their lower networks to their key, most popular networks, so they all get carried. It's cheaper for the cable/satellite company, which is in turn cheaper for the subscribers to get all those extra channels they don't need.

A la carte cable/satellite service ends up being more expensive for most people, and provides the fewest number of viewing options, as niche networks are unable to survive and are killed off by the owning companies.

Some people don't care because they don't watch (name of niche network), but they do watch (name of another niche network), which others don't watch. So, "I only want to pay for the channels I want to watch" becomes "the channels I want to watch no longer exist", unless you only watch the most basic, most popular channels.

You aren't wrong, I'm just saying that model is going to have to change because it sounds like, with a few notable exceptions, most people would just rather go without. What I expect we will see more of, as well, is a two tiered pricing model. One cheaper price that would include commercials and then another more expensive package that does not include commercials, at least during shows. They might still stick them into the menus or even put one before a program starts.

 

[Pinehawk]

They are putting all of the EPL soccer games on the service on Wednesday I belive.

 

[wneff]

Is that for one year or until the end of this year?

Full 12 months, so essentially half price. Unfortunately, that won't make it to the 2021 Olympics, assuming they happen.

 

[ping72]

I'm very pumped for Psych: 2, Lassie Come Home to premiere tomorrow. I loved that show....it was just stupid fun.

welcome back

 

[QChawks]

The whole thing is getting ridiculous, we currently use:

YoutubeTV
Netflix
Prime
Disney+

seriously if this keeps up there will be an app for ever channel or movie production company.

 

[SSG T]

I'm getting it purely to watch Psych 2: Lassie Come Home

If the rest doesn't suck, I'll keep it.

 

[SSG T]

I'm very pumped for Psych: 2, Lassie Come Home to premiere tomorrow. I loved that show....it was just stupid fun.

Amen.

Oh, and

 

[golfinghawkeye]

X1 subscriber here. I have had it since early May. So far so good with it. They have been adding more as time keeps going by. Not sure I am sold on the interface yet but it appears to be a work in progress.

 

[Tiger_Hawk]

Not available on the two largest streaming platforms - Roku and Amazon Fire TV

 

[StonesCat]

Not available on the two largest streaming platforms - Roku and Amazon Fire TV

Much like HBOMax, which I was waiting for, and then decided to check out what sideloading on the Firestick was all about. Five minutes and voila, I'm sure Peacock will have a good link tomorrow if they don't already to do the same.

 

[wneff]

The whole thing is getting ridiculous, we currently use:

YoutubeTV
Netflix
Prime
Disney+

seriously if this keeps up there will be an app for ever channel or movie production company.

I am thinking about dropping Netflix. I have had it forever and have watched it primarily for their "original" series. They have had some great ones, but there aren't any that I am watching now.

 

[NDallasRuss]

This. Most networks fall under the category of "niche" network. They are paid for by a handful of popular channels ( The big 4) plus ESPN and HGTV.

I am somewhat intrigued by Pluto and Sling TV. I might explore those options a little more. Especially if we don't get sports back.

I haven't looked into Pluto - I'll have to see what it is.

I think the absence of sports has really got to be screwing all of this up for content providers and distributors! So much revenue is based on carrying live sports, or including access to live sports.

 

[golfinghawkeye]

I haven't looked into Pluto - I'll have to see what it is.

I think the absence of sports has really got to be screwing all of this up for content providers and distributors! So much revenue is based on carrying live sports, or including access to live sports.

Might as well use it. It is a fee streaming app. Older movies, tv series, random sports, news etc. I do watch it periodically. Well worth it considering it is free content.

 

[Tom Paris]

They are putting all of the EPL soccer games on the service on Wednesday I belive.

Assholes.

 

[CJBauer]

I'm very pumped for Psych: 2, Lassie Come Home to premiere tomorrow. I loved that show....it was just stupid fun.

What a great show...

Peacock also has Hero's and Friday Night Lights...

 

[FSUTribe76]

I'm very pumped for Psych: 2, Lassie Come Home to premiere tomorrow. I loved that show....it was just stupid fun.

I was a huge fan of Psych as well.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Pluto is nice just because it’s free and it’s a nice service to just watch reruns of old shows on lesser networks like American Gladiators or 1000 Ways to Die.

Just accept the fact that you’ll see the same 5-10 ads over and over and over again.

I haven't looked into Pluto - I'll have to see what it is.

I think the absence of sports has really got to be screwing all of this up for content providers and distributors! So much revenue is based on carrying live sports, or including access to live sports.

We really enjoy Pluto. The movie channels are great. MST3K 24/7 is a hit with the kids. Loads of kids tv for the littlest one, though she’s not much of a tv watcher. And the sports channels are ever better and expanding. I am a rugby and CFB junkie so Big Sky Conference Network and Eleven Sports have been good additions. Caught lots of college and MLR rugby before the pandemic.

 

[hawkeye54545]

Wake me up when Pornhub has a streaming service. Bundle it and all the sports channels and call it a day.

 

[hawkeye54545]

We really enjoy Pluto. The movie channels are great. MST3K 24/7 is a hit with the kids. Loads of kids tv for the littlest one, though she’s not much of a tv watcher. And the sports channels are ever better and expanding. I am a rugby and CFB junkie so Big Sky Conference Network and Eleven Sports have been good additions. Caught lots of college and MLR rugby before the pandemic.

Xumu and Stirr are similar as well. If nothing else is on I can watch the best of Family Fued on Xumu to kill time.

 

[Niko13]

The whole thing is getting ridiculous, we currently use:

YoutubeTV
Netflix
Prime
Disney+

seriously if this keeps up there will be an app for ever channel or movie production company.

I need to scale mine back too
YouTube TV
Netflix
Prime
Disney+
Shudder
HBO Now
Hulu
WWE Network

Christ, I didn't even realize I had so many until I typed them out now! Yikes

 

[FSUTribe76]

I need to scale mine back too
YouTube TV
Netflix
Prime
Disney+
Shudder
HBO Now
Hulu
WWE Network

Christ, I didn't even realize I had so many until I typed them out now! Yikes

I’ve got the full premium Comcast package with Showtime, HBO and whatever crap they replaced Starz and Skinemax with. To that I’ve got:
Amazon Prime
Netflix
Starz
CBS All Access
Disney Plus
Peacock
PBS
And I’m probably getting a free trial of DC Online to see the second season of Doom Patrol

I’m definitely considering ditching Comcast for either Sling or Hulu Live.

 

[hawkeye54545]

I’ve got the full premium Comcast package with Showtime, HBO and whatever crap they replaced Starz and Skinemax with. To that I’ve got:
Amazon Prime
Netflix
Starz
CBS All Access
Disney Plus
Peacock
PBS
And I’m probably getting a free trial of DC Online to see the second season of Doom Patrol

I’m definitely considering ditching Comcast for either Sling or Hulu Live.

I read yesterday DC online is shutting it down. Their shows will still be produced but moved to HBO.

I have bought it a couple months just to catch up on Titans and Doom Patrol. Just not enough content to keep it monthly.

 

[TDJ7]

They have Saved by the Bell. I'm in.