Comcast Is Bundling Netflix Into Cable Packages (techcrunch.com) 45
The latest option in Comcast's Xfinity cable bundle is Netflix. The two companies announced an expansion of their partnership today, which was first established in 2016 when Comcast added Netflix to its X1 interface. TechCrunch reports: The companies said they will expand that existing relationship by bundling Netflix into the overall subscription in new and existing Xfinity packages. Netflix's subscriber growth -- the primary driver of its value as a public company -- continues to surge, and it appears that this could be another piece in its tool kit to keep that engine humming. Those cable packages already include an increasing breakout of diverse services that allow for streaming outside of the over-the-top experience, like HBO Go and ESPN, and this offers another streaming service on-the-go for users. By tethering to additional over-the-top services, Netflix has a chance to woo subscribers that might otherwise just stick with their existing service providers and bake itself directly into that experience. The bundle, which will be available to new and existing Xfinity customers, will be included in its cable TV, phone and internet plans. More information about XFINITY service available in this XFINITY review.
lol.. (Score:2)
But we need net neutrality so comcast doesn't give netflix a fast lane that slows down my IRC.. O.o
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Their cut was already enough for them to build it into the interface. Now it will be noticeably more.
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You may have forgotten that Netflix had to start paying Comcast a few years ago for the “privilege” of not being throttled...
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That was, of course, Netflix's spin on it.
Comcast on the other hand said: Netflix pays for _rack_space_, same as everybody else. Netflix wants/needs local servers on large ISPs networks, so their DRM can work. If they just used HTML5 video, caching proxies could server the purpose.
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When you pay some $x/month to upgrade from DSL to Fiber, or pick between 40Mbps and 150Mbps cable, just what, exactly, do you think you're doing?
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Don't be a GOP mouth piece.
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Who is "they" and why do they insist the sky is falling when they haven't even looked outside?
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http://fortune.com/2017/11/21/... [fortune.com]
Here we are, exactly where everyone who understands the internet and online freedom knew we would be when net neutrality got repealed:
Facts:
- increased end user cost: instead of a regular $11 subscription, its now $14.
A "cable company" is "bundling" a specific website..
. Yahoo has been purchase by "Oath" and is sharing information with Verizon. opt out features don't work
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A "cable company" is "bundling" a specific website..
No, a cable company is adding content from a media company as a bundled service. Much like HBO, Starz, Cinemax and the rest. Netflix may have started as a mail order DVD rental service, It has long changed from that. Its not fucking Facebook, or Twitter. Its a media service, Has there been proof of them throttling non Comcast-Netflix subscriptions? No it is purely scare hype, as its been for the last 2 years. Please see yourself out.
The people complaining need to spend more time outside and off their ass an
Effing comcast (Score:3)
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Re: Effing comcast (Score:2)
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Sign ups even for free services are a necessary evil to avoid excessive leaching (by shady "stream aggregator" websites that leech the streams of other people and wrap ads around). Deal with it.
You really have no clue what we're talking about, do you? It's not "sign ups" for "free services", it's an On Demand system that is already "signed up" and "paid for" (not free) that shows some programs as "free" when they actually require paying for YET ANOTHER service.
Deal with it yourself.
Re: Effing comcast (Score:2)
Not just comcrap... (Score:2)
DISH does the same thing with On Demand shows. At the top of the menu it will list the show or movie as free but when you drill down to actually view the thing it shows as requiring a subscription to HBO or whatever network owns it whether I currently have access to it or not. Their favorites channel management tool functions the same way. It offers an option to create a channel list of just what you subscribe to, which then includes all the subscription channels, all the potential pay per view stations, al
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BUT we still had access to all the shopping and junk for sale channels, as well as they pay per view stations.
Of course. The shopping channels pay the distributor to be carried and the distributor gets a cut. The pay per view is a money-maker, too. You aren't actually paying Dish for either set of channels, so not paying your bill will have no effect on your service.
However, when I dropped Dish they immediately bricked the receiver I owned, so I guess they were hoping you would pay up and come back, and they knew I was gone for good.
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It was the opportunity I needed to block everything that was still on then pay the bill and get what I actually wanted. I'd drop dish entirely but I like Soccer and Rugby too much. I haven't been able to find any other place that has all the UEFA, British, La Liga(ESP), Bundesliga, Liga Mex, as well as rugby league, and hockey games that I want. As far a regular programming goes I spend more time on Amazon Video and Netflix, but my GF watches CBS, NCIS and its various clones and that loser Sheldon & com
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I have the same problem with my Roku. I ditched Comcast years ago but so often there's a Roku channel available for "free" if only I sign in with my TV provider. I'm not even sure what my login for my antenna is, but even PBS does this now.
Okay, PBS just wants me to register but so many other "free channels" are only free if you are already paying for them.
I'm perfectly content with just my internet streaming (mainly Netflix) and my antenna though. I cannot say enough bad things about Comcast so I'll
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I'm perfectly content with just my internet streaming (mainly Netflix) and my antenna though. I cannot say enough bad things about Comcast so I'll spare everyone the rant.
+1.
I particularly like that when there's nothing of interest on the antenna, I can watch something from the 100s of hours that my DVR has recorded, and when there's nothing there I feel like watching, I do something else. Same thing if the atmosphere is interfering with my reception - rather than having to engage with Comcast's Worst Service Ever, I just turn the TV off and do something else.
Re: And there you have it (Score:3)
Fast internet... (Score:2)
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Netflix does not have sports / news or other cable content.
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You just explained big cables way of charging you $250 a month for basic cable, Compartmentalize. Let everybody think they will save money if they only choose the services they want. the majority of people will slowly add services(i mean its only $10 a month) until all of a sudden they pay more than $300/mo for consumable tv.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
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Netflix isnt something customers want as a service from your company. Netflix is an alternative to overpriced cable TV
Netflix is putting themselves in this position by creating content and not just streaming other people's stuff. Yes, some people want Netflix original content, and that means some customers of cable will want to also have Netflix. They also want the standard movie streams from Netflix that Comcast does not have.
Netflix and Kodi (https://kodi.tv/) are the killing blow for an industry that has strong-armed the american consumer for more than forty years.
Well, unfortunately, cable still has things that Netflix does not, like local content and sports, so people will still buy cable.
They'll raise their price later (Score:2)
That's how the cable companies work. They throw in something attractive into their bundle, wait a year or so, then raise the price even more than you would have paid for the service separately.