5 hours ago, theguru said:

I just got this from my provider, altafiber:

Dear Valued Customer,
 
We regret to inform you that, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to reach a new agreement with Paramount Global, the owner of Showtime.
 
As a result, we are required to remove Showtime from our lineup on 1/31/24 at 11:59 pm. Although we initially reached an agreement on costs and terms, Paramount Global has chosen not to sign, making it necessary for us to take this action. Unfortunately, they are also demanding renewals for other channels and withholding access to Paramount+ for our customers.
 
Please be aware that any recordings saved from these channels will need to be watched prior to 1/31/24 at 11:59 pm, and Video on Demand will no longer be available once the contract expires. 
 
To continue enjoying Showtime and other Paramount Global content, we recommend subscribing directly to Paramount+. You can sign up for a free trial by visiting Paramount+ Website.
 
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. For more information and updates, please visit us at altafiber.com/TVupdates.
 
Thank you for your continued support.
 
altafiber

That is the goal of all this.    Why should Paramount take $3 per subscriber from terrestrial cable when they can hit people for $15 a month to subscribe to their streaming service.   Corporate greed.

1 hour ago, Tranquility Base said:

That is the goal of all this.    Why should Paramount take $3 per subscriber from terrestrial cable when they can hit people for $15 a month to subscribe to their streaming service.   Corporate greed.

I know this might upset people but what is the fine line between maximizing profits and "corporate greed"? Basic economics dictate charging a price that maximizes profits. If a business can't make a substantial profit in an industry, then that business will cease to exist in a truly competitive marketplace. The move from cable to streaming is being made because it takes the cable and satellite providers out of the mix and therefore provides better margins. Not to mention reduces time and money spent negotiating with the providers.  Businesses must continue to innovate and fight to increase revenues while decreasing costs. Businesses have a responsibility to their stake/shareholders and finding a way to maximize profits allows them to not only take care of them but invest in new technologies, programming and ultimately provide a better experience to their consumers.

 

1 minute ago, rjs4470 said:

I know this might upset people but what is the fine line between maximizing profits and "corporate greed"? Basic economics dictate charging a price that maximizes profits. If a business can't make a substantial profit in an industry, then that business will cease to exist in a truly competitive marketplace. The move from cable to streaming is being made because it takes the cable and satellite providers out of the mix and therefore provides better margins. Not to mention reduces time and money spent negotiating with the providers.  Businesses must continue to innovate and fight to increase revenues while decreasing costs. Businesses have a responsibility to their stake/shareholders and finding a way to maximize profits allows them to not only take care of them but invest in new technologies, programming and ultimately provide a better experience to their consumers.

I draw the line at the NFL playoff game being on Peacock.

On the rest of it, I think you are right on.  The bottom line is the price is going up, way up, for the consumer. 

17 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

We pay about $80 for Hulu Live now that we've ditched Direct.  $12 per month for Amazon Prime.  $6 per month for Peacock.  $5 per month for Paramount.  $5 per month for Shudder.  About $110 per month total.

Previously, we were paying about $150 for Direct.  But if we jump in with Netflix, we're going to change something.  Probably go from Hulu to Sling.

I've thought about this too. I have prime, peacock, disney+, paramont+, and I also have spectrum TV. If I ditch spectrum, how easy is it to watch NFL, march madness, the reds, and local channels?

3 hours ago, PP1 said:

I've thought about this too. I have prime, peacock, disney+, paramont+, and I also have spectrum TV. If I ditch spectrum, how easy is it to watch NFL, march madness, the reds, and local channels?

Locals are primarily why we went with Hulu Live.  You will also get Disney thrown in if you do that.  ESPN+ too.  The Reds will be your hangup.  We didn't get Hulu until after the season ended, but I don't believe they have Bally Sports.

I dropped cable last summer. Currently have ESPN+, Prime, Peacock, Disney+, Max, Netflix, and AppleTV. Also have an antenna to get the local networks. 

12 minutes ago, I gotta go to work said:

I dropped cable last summer. Currently have ESPN+, Prime, Peacock, Disney+, Max, Netflix, and AppleTV. Also have an antenna to get the local networks. 

I miss my antenna and tower from yesteryear. 

FWIW as mentioned in another thread, PP1 mentioned the Reds...Prime has bought a large stake in the parent of Bally Sports to get their foot in the baseball door. No idea what that will mean yet, but I expect Prime to have local team packages either this season or next.

22 hours ago, I gotta go to work said:

I dropped cable last summer. Currently have ESPN+, Prime, Peacock, Disney+, Max, Netflix, and AppleTV. Also have an antenna to get the local networks. 

Are you able to watch the NCAA Tournament?

21 minutes ago, PP1 said:

Are you able to watch the NCAA Tournament?

I'll have CBS. We'll see lol. NBA games on TNT have been on Max. I wonder if they will be able to carry that as well. 

I see that after the latest news on Vince's past indiscretions, he is now completely out of the company.

 

 

3 hours ago, Jumper_Dad said:

I see that after the latest news on Vince's past indiscretions, he is now completely out of the company.

 

 

Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship of The Royal Rumble and his resignation came very soon after.  Slim Jim then reinstated their sponsorship. 

On 1/27/2024 at 1:00 PM, PP1 said:

Are you able to watch the NCAA Tournament?

You can catch the games on TBS, TNT, and TruTV with a subscription to MAX which is $9.99 and you can cancel immediately so you are not charged after the tournament ends. You can watch the games on CBS with an antenna or if you have Paramount + you can watch the CBS games on there.

On 1/28/2024 at 12:27 PM, Randy Parker said:

Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship of The Royal Rumble and his resignation came very soon after.  Slim Jim then reinstated their sponsorship. 

I am not impressed when the WWE or any of their sponsors do this.  To me it is all for show and then most things eventually go right back to how they were before the indiscretion was revealed to the public.  In other words, I pretty much think the WWE is trash when it comes to doing the right thing. 

5 hours ago, AirYardGo said:

You can catch the games on TBS, TNT, and TruTV with a subscription to MAX which is $9.99 and you can cancel immediately so you are not charged after the tournament ends. You can watch the games on CBS with an antenna or if you have Paramount + you can watch the CBS games on there.

Thanks for that but for me that is much too complicated to even care about watching something beyond the Bengals.