Rick and Morty (307), Preacher (209-211), Firefly (Jaynestown), Winter Movie Draft.
01:01 – Winter Movie Draft. The draft is next week! Here’s the movie list.
06:38 – Rick and Morty (307)
12:14 – Preacher (209-211)
18:13 – Firefly (Jaynestown)
Cordkillers 186 – I Like The Way I Said it Better (w/ Roberto Villegas)
Should Apple make James Bond, Plex gets easy with Kodi, and Netflix takes on an anime parody? Is it parody? With special guest Roberto Villegas.
The draft is next week! Here’s the movie list.
CordKillers: Ep. 186 – I Like The Way I Said it Better
Recorded: September 11 2017
Guest: Roberto Villegas
Intro Video
Primary Target
- Apple, Amazon Join Race for James Bond Film Rights
– Sony’s deal to make James Bond movies ended in 2015 and bids for the rights are being negotiated now. Hollywood Reporter has sources who say Apple and Amazon are in the running with Warner Brothers and Sony to buy the rights to make the movies for MGM. Former Sony executives Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht are leading the push for Apple.
How to Watch
- Plex for Kodi is now free for everyone
– Plex has made its add-on for the Kodi media center software free. This allows both systems to run at the same time and share settings. Some settings like multiple users and parental controls will not carry over but most basic ones will. Plex has been taking legal action against unofficial add-ons. - The new Apple TV 4K will be a much more powerful streaming box than its predecessor
– There will be probably be a new Apple TV with 4K announced Tuesday. We’ll talk all about it next week
– Same processor as the 2017 iPad Pro, 3 GB RAM
– 4K? (HDR10m Dolby Vision) - Apple fights Hollywood to price 4K movies on iTunes at $20
– The Wall Street Journal says its sources say Apple and movie studios are having difficulty agreeing on the price of 4K movies to be sold in Apple’s iTunes store. Apple supposedly wants 4K movies to sell for $20, which is the top price for current HD releases. The studios would like a price point of $25 or $30. - Apple bolsters its TV unit with more top Sony talent
– Apple has hired for Sony exec Kim Rozenfeld as head of current programming and lead on documentaries.
What to Watch
- The First Trailer For Netflix Anime Parody Neo Yokio Showcases Its Bonkers Cast
– The Netflix Anime parody Neo Yokio arrives September 22. EP creator and writer is Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig and Jaden Smith voices Kaz Kaan a demon slayer. Credits also include Susan Sarandon, Jude Law, Richard Ayoade, Steve Buscemi, Stephen Fry and a lot more. - Lore the podcast debuts as a 6-episode Amazon original October 13th.
- Amazon picks up James Gunn’s ‘Starsky and Hutch’ reboot
– James Gunn will reboot Starsky and Hutch for Amazon. It will supposedly continue the original and be a “deconstruction of the buddy cop genre.” - Netflix orders eight-part musical drama from La La Land director Damien Chazelle
– Netflix ordered an 8-part musical drama called The Eddy from La La Land Director Damien Chazelle. Chazelle will direct two episodes and Jack Thorne of Skins will write most of the episodes. The show will take place in a Paris nightclub. The series’s score will be written by Glen Ballard, a six-time Grammy winner known for co-producing Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill - Hulu recruits Chris Pine for Bobby Kennedy miniseries
– Deadline reports Hulu is developing a miniseries about Robert F. Kennedy starring Chris Pine as Bobby. Todd E. Kessler of the Good Wife is writing the adaptation of the Larry Tye biography.
What We’re Watching
- Brian: Preacher, Firefly, me on TEDx, Logan Lucky, Rick and Morty, Narcos season 3
- Tom: Preacher, Outlander, Firefly, Weather Nation, Rick and Morty
- Roberto: Bojack Horseman
- On the Lookout: All the Stations
Front Lines
- Amazon’s new flagship Fire TV looks like a square Echo Dot
– AFTVNews says it has sources who say Amazon will release two new Fire TV models later this year. One will be a square FireTV stick and the other a regular box that has Amazon Voice Service far-field microphones and speaker built in. Both will support 4K. and HDR. - Disney’s streaming service will exclusively get Marvel and Star Wars movies
– Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that Disney will make its Star Wars and Marvel movies exclusive to a new streaming service launching with Disney and Pixar content in late 2019. - Disney Movies Anywhere drops Microsoft as a partner
– Disney Movies Anywhere sent out an email saying it no longer works with Microsoft’s Movies and TV Store. That applies to future purchases. Existing linked movies will remain available. - Roku files for $100M IPO
– Roku filed paperwork for an IPO. The filing shows 15.1 million active accounts streaming 3.5 billion hours last quarter, up 60% on the year. Revenue per unit is up 35% on the year to $11.22 for a total annual revenue of $398 million. Advertising and platform subscriptions make up 81% of company profits, up 104% over the last six months, while profits from hardware fell 28% in the same span and represents 19% overall. Roku also launched its own channel for Roku users that streams free movies licnesed directly from studios by Roku and supported with advertising. - AT&T’s DirecTV Now is testing a cloud DVR with 100 hours of storage
– TechCrunch confirmed a Cord Cutters News leak that DirecTV Now’s forthcoming DVR plan will have up to 100 hours of storage managed from a “My Library” feature. No word on the price. - Netflix and Hulu already won 21 Emmys ahead of the main event
– The Creative Arts Emmy Awards were given out this weekend These are the ones they give away a week before the main awards broadcast, which is this coming Sunday September 17. Stranger Things took home 5 awards include sound and picture editing as well as main title. Netflix documentary 13th from Ava Duvernay got four awards. Handmaid’s Tale got three including production design and cinematography. Overall Netflix got 16 Hulu five and Amazon two.
Dispatches from the Front
Hey guys. Since becoming a cordcutter, I’ve been more attentive on how people get their media. This is only anecdotal, but one thing I’ve noticed over the past year is how widespread the knowledge and use of “Amazon fire sticks with access to everything free” has become. People come to my house and I show them how to watch stuff on my apple tvs and remind them that I don’t have cable. People from 14 year old cousins to 50 year old uncles will say “oh do you have the fire stick where it has everything free”? I tell them I don’t and then they tell me I should get one. I will admit I’ve done my fair share of pirating back in the day. However, I now consider myself a born again cordkiller that is mostly legit because there are actually easy legal options to access content these days which is what I thought everyone wanted. To me, it seems getting it free may still be a larger component to the equation for some people. I’ve never used a “special” fire stick , but if it’s as easy as ordering it and plugging it in to your tv , I don’t know how big media can compete with that if there truly is a growing population that doesn’t see any issues with it.
Your favorite boss
– Jerry
Hello Tom and Brian,
Do you know of a box or app that will allow me to use single sign and create playlists of the shows I watch in all of my steaming services (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon).
Thanks
– Chuck
Hello fellow cord cutters,
The best website I found for comparing and choosing a streaming service is suppose.tv. You can set your location and choose local channels and cable channels to filter by and determine which service they are available on. You can even compare costs and filter by streaming device. This is the tool you are looking for.
– Zach
Links
It’s Spoilerin’ Time 185
Rick and Morty (306), Game of Thrones (707), Firefly (Our Mrs. Reynolds), Summer Movie Draft.
01:03 – Summer Movie Draft
03:57 – Triage (Your emails to cordkillers@gmail.com)
05:49 – Rick and Morty (306)
11:44 – Game of Thrones (707)
25:56 – Firefly (Our Mrs. Reynolds)
Cordkillers 185 – Both of Them and Charles Dickens are Wrong
Why Roku is still number one, Hulu Live TV gets better, and Ozark is the best.
CordKillers: Ep. 185 – Both of Them and Charles Dickens are Wrong
Recorded: August 28 2017
Guest: None
Intro Video
Primary Target
- Roku is the top streaming device in the US and growing
– Parks Associates market share by number of installed devices.
-37% of streaming devices in US are ROKU, up from 30% from last year
– Only Fire TV increased to 24% up 16%
– Chromecast fell to third at 18% Apple TV fourth at 15%
– Previously mentioned emarketer stats based connected TV use - Apple Is Planning a 4K Upgrade for Its TV Box
– Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to unveil an updated Apple TV with 4K streaming support and a focus on live television at their September 12th announcement. The updated Apple TV will reportedly support HDR video.
How to Watch
- Hulu’s live TV service now supports web browsers on PC and Mac
- Hulu Live TV comes to Xbox 360
– Hulu Live TV can now be streamed to the browser on Windows and macOS. Hulu warns that it’s a beta that will add more functions as the months go by. - Hulu’s Live TV service to have all five major broadcast networks with addition of The CW
– Hulu announced a deal to carry the CW on its live TV service. Hulu Live now has all five major english-language US broadcasters. It will arrive in select markets first with other affiliates joining over time.
What to Watch
- The Tick’s Creators Split Up the New Season to Curb Binge Watching
– The Tick arrived on Amazon Friday but only half the season. Creator Ben Edlund told CinemaBlend that they broke up the season in two on purpose. Edlund said The Binge Watching [sic] issue is… I see it as it’s a perfect dive from a high board, and there’s no splash. We’re all sort of veterans of the opposite of that. Fan energy wants to have a culture to express itself in. So if you split a season, and give a gap in-between, you get anticipation, you get people are able [to] talk about what happened.” - Adam Scott Suspects His Stepson Is Satan’s Son in the Trailer for Little Evil
– Eli Craig who made Tucker and Dale vs. Evil parodying the cabin the woods horror genre has a movie called Little Evil that parodies the possessed child genre. Little Evil stars Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly and premieres September 1. - Stranger Things Will Be Back For Season 3, But Probably End After Season 4
– Ross Duffer told Vulture that he and his brother are thinking Stranger Things will wrap up in four seasons. Netflix has renewed the series for a third season. The second season arrives October 27th. - Netflix snags ‘Def Comedy Jam’ 25th anniversary special
– Netflix will stream Russel Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam 25th anniversary special this autumn. The lineup will include Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan and Katt Williams. A reboot of the series is also coming to HBO in November called All Def Comedy. - Get Your First Look at Black Mirror’s Freaky Fourth Season Right Now
– A teaser for the next season of Black Mirror is out with episode titles and short clips. No date was revealed either.
What We’re Watching
- Brian: Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty, Firefly
- Tom: Preacher (210) Secrets of the Citadel, Ozark (101-102) The Tick (102-102) Game of Thrones, Twin Peaks, Rick and Morty
- On the Lookout: The Trollhunters
Front Lines
- CBS is expanding to Australia with buyout of troubled broadcaster Network Ten
– CBS announced a deal to acquire major Australian national broadcaster, Ten. This may be followed by a launch of CBS All Access in Australia. - Walmart’s streaming service Vudu hits Apple TV
– An app for Vudu has arrived for Apple TV. You can’t make purchases from it but you can access your library and any ad-supported free streaming videos. - ESPN will stream big-name boxing matches under a new deal
– ESPN has reached a multi-year agreement to air and stream Top Rank boxing matches in the US and Canada. That would include ESPN’s forthcoming streaming-only service. - Netflix Is Now Selling its Own Weed Strains
– Variety reports that Netflix has put its name on some boutique strains of legal marijuana for sale this past weekend at a pop-up shop inside the Alternative Herbal Health Services dispensary in West Hollywood. The move is in promotion of Disjointed which premiered on Netflix Friday. - HBO NOW’s app has pulled in $19 million since the “Game of Thrones” premiere
– App Annie estimates that the iOS and Android version of the HBO Now app have generated $19 million of revenue in the US since the premiere of Game of Thrones. For the week of August 20th it was the top grossing app on any mobile platform passing Pandora and Netflix. - Facebook and Twitter Will Stream College Football This Season
– Facebook and Twitter have reached an agreement with Stadium to stream college football games. Facebook will have 15 games from Conference USA and Mountain West. Twitter has not announced it’s slate but will show Alabama A&M against Alabama-Birmingham.
Dispatches from the Front
Brian,
So I used Movie Pass back when it was $45-$50 a month for those in the LA area and I enjoyed it for the time I had it, got lots of bonus reward points from theaters however it has changed since then for the better. Back then there was no online ordering with it, you had to be at the theater to activate the account to make a purchase so it was a gas cost. It also included a 6 month cool down period if you cancelled. (So you can’ just use it for winter blockbuster season and then start up at the next summer blockbuster season) At the $10 a month I don’t see a reason to let it lapse though. Data signal can be an issue, so finding out what theaters have dead zones by the box office and activating the card in the parking lot is important however with online ordering I see this going to be a lesser issue. If you have a theater nearby with a rewards program it is a MUST HAVE. If you go to 1 movie a month it is a huge discount. If you go to two movies every 3 months (based on my local market( it’s still a deal.
Let me know if you have any specific questions, I’d be happy to answer
– Jeff
I signed up for the service the day after the price change. I was very excited about the service seeing how I typically see at least one movie a month. The first few days of the service the app was not working very well due to the influx of new users. I was told to buy a ticket and send them the receipt and they will refund the price, which I was fine with.
Now a week later I have found that the app is working pretty well and it is very convenient to just open the app, select my theater, reserve the seat, and have my ticket ready at the box office (this does only work if MP has a deal with that specific theater to do e-tickets). I also found that my movie going experience was much more enjoyable. You feel like such a bad ass just opening your phone and a few minutes later having reserved a seat and just walking in the theater. On top of that I have went to see movies that I would have never seen in theaters and if I did I would have been upset knowing that I spend $10-$12, but instead I can just relax and enjoy a movie I more than likely wouldn’t have every paid to see, and I don’t feel bad throwing the theater a couple bucks for a snack or drink.
Even if the current pricing only lasts 12-18 months I think it will be worth it in the long run and even give movie chains time to consider their own subscription service down the road.
Best Regards,
– Kyle
Hey, I ran across a cool website for sports fans who are looking to cut the cord. Just type “wherecaniwatchmy.team” into your browser and you’ll be able to quickly find out which package is best for watching your favorite sportball team.
He’s only got NFL and NCAA football on there for now, but hopefully he’ll add more sports later.
Thought I’d pass along a cool new service that helps people navigate the proliferation of streaming services.
– Seth
Links
It’s Spoilerin’ Time 184
Rick and Morty (305), Game of Thrones (706), Summer Movie Draft. With Cordkillers producer Bryce Castillo.
01:09 – Summer Movie Draft
04:04 – Rick and Morty (305)
13:24 – Game of Thrones (706)
Cordkillers 184 – Popcorn is Worse Than Free Towels (w/ Sean Hollister)
Can MoviePass sustain $10 a month all-you-can-eat theater movies? Plus, Apple and Comcast team up to put theater movies in your home anyway.
It’s Spoilerin’ Time 183
Rick and Morty (304), Preacher (208), Game of Thrones (705), Firefly (“Safe”).
00:47 – Summer Movie Draft
03:54 – Triage (Your emails to cordkillers@gmail.com)
06:31 – Rick and Morty (304)
13:33 – Preacher (208)
20:55 – Game of Thrones (705)
34:23 – Firefly – “Safe”
Cordkillers 183 – Hi-Ho SeeSo (w/ Andy Beach)
Is Disney now at war with Netflix? Is Facebook video relevant? What happened with SeeSo? With special guest Andy Beach.
CordKillers: Ep. 183 – Hi-Ho SeeSo
Recorded: August 14 2017
Guest: Andy Beach
Intro Video
Primary Target
- The Walt Disney Company to Acquire Majority Ownership of BAMTech
– Disney announced it is buying a majority stake in BAMTech, the streaming-video company founded by Major League Baseball that powers services like the NHL, MLB, and HBO now. Disney also announced it plans to launch an ESPN-branded streaming service in early 2018, with broadcasts not aired on other ESPN channels, and a new Disney and Pixar streaming service in 2019. Disney will end its agreement with Netflix for Disney and Pixar movies at the end of 2018, though Netflix is still negotiating to renew a deal for Marvel and Lucasfilm content. - Disney won’t renew Netflix deal
- Disney has a streaming service called Disney Life in the UK
- Disney wants to make a huge shift in its business model — but it’s not ready to do it yet
- Your favorite Disney movies will be leaving Netflix. This is where (some of them) are going.
- Netflix doesn’t want to be a better streaming service — it wants to be Disney
- Marvel and Star Wars streaming services still being considered.
- Star Wars and Iron Man may not disappear from Netflix in 2019 after all
- Netflix signs Shonda Rhimes away from ABC in huge coup
– Shonda Rhimes’ production company Shondaland signed a multi-year deal to produce new content for Netflix. Rhimes told the Wall Street Journal, “I’m thrilled by the idea of a world where I’m not caught in the necessary grind of network television.” - David Letterman is joining forces with Netflix for a new show
– David Letterman has agreed to host 6 episodes of a talk show for Netflix to arrive in 2018. Each episode would be an hour long with a longform interview with one guest as well as segments shot outside the studio. In a statement Letterman said, “Here’s what I have learned, if you retire to spend more time with your family, check with your family first. Thanks for watching, drive safely.” - Netflix lands the Coen Brothers’ Western TV series
– The Coen Brothers will produce, write and direct their first television show called “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” for Netflix. It will be a western anthology with six stories centered around Scruggs. The cast includes Tim Blake Nelson as Buster Scruggs, as well as Ryne Daley, James Franco, Zoe Kazan. - Netflix snags an Alan Arkin, Michael Douglas comedy series
– Netflix announced a project called The Kominsky Method starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. The series will be written and produced by Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre. Chuck Lorre’s series Disjointed starring Kathy Bates premieres August 25th.
How to Watch
- Facebook launches Watch tab of original video shows
– Facebook is rolling out a new version of its video section, renamed Watch, to select users in the US. Some videos are episodic and broken down into categories like “Most Talked About” or “What’s Making People Laugh”. Users can subscribe to updates from favorite shows, chat with other viewers while watching, and connect with creators through Groups. Facebook has funded some of the shows, but anyone can create one and get 55% of the revenue generated. Shows come from places like Tastemade, Major League Baseball, Mike Rowe, Billboard Magazine, National Geographic and more. - Seeso shutting down
– NBC will shut down its Seeso comedy streaming service later this year. The service launched in January 2016, but laid off staff in June. Seeso originals “HarmonQuest,” “My Brother, My Brother and Me,” “Hidden America With Jonah Ray,” and “The Cyanide and Happiness Show” will move to the VRV streaming service.
What to Watch
- Netflix renewed GLOW for a second season, no word on when it will arrive.
- Netflix takes on JFK in ‘The Crown’ season two December 8th
– The Crown returns to Netflix December 8. It will be the last season with Claire Foy playing Queen Elizabeth II. Michael C. Hall and Jodi Balfour will play John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie. - Sony’s Spider-Man spinoff Silver and Black will hit theaters in 2019
– Sony announced that Silver and Black, a Spider-man cinematic universe film featuring Black Cat and Silver Sable will arrive February 8th, 2019. Venom arrives October 5th, 2018. - Comedians Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson are bringing their hit podcast 2 Dope Queens to HBO as four one-hour comedy specials in 2018.
What We’re Watching
- Brian: Preacher, Firefly, Rick and Morty, Game of Thrones, Last Week Tonight
- Tom: Preacher, Firefly, Twin Peaks, Dunkirk, Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty
- Andy: Rick & Morty, Difficult People, Ozark (just finished), Pure, The Sinner, Detroit
- On the Lookout: VRV
Front Lines
- Pandora names Sling TV founding CEO Roger Lynch as new CEO and president
– Pandora announced Sling TV founder Roger Lynch will become the new Pandora CEO. Former head of Sony Pictures, Michael Lynton also joined the Pandora board. Pandora founder Tim Westegren told the Verge in March that video was on Pandora’s list. - Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman signs deal to develop TV for Amazon
– Robert Kirkman’s Skybound has a new deal to create TV projects for Amazon Prime Video. Kirkman has Walking Dead on AMC, has Outcast on Cinemax and film version of Invincible headed to Universal, so we’re not sure yet what Kirkman might bring to Amazon. - Michael Sheen, David Tennant to Star in Neil Gaiman’s ‘Good Omens’ at Amazon
– Variety reports Michael Sheen and David Tennant have been cast in the lead roles for an Amazon/BBC co-produced 6-episode series based on the book Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It will premier first on Amazon Prim then on BBC and be distributed by the BBC in all markets where Amazon does not offer service. - Amazon is shutting down its DVD by mail service LoveFilm on October 31st. Subscribers will get a discount on an Amazon Fire TV stick.
- The latest no-frills Roku TVs start at $250
– Roku and RCA announced a new lineup of Roku-enabled HDTVS. A 32-inch model costs $249.99, a 43-inch model is $379.99, and the top-end 50-inch model is $499, available now. - Vizio added the Google Play Movies & TV app to its VIA+ and D-series Smart TVs. It recently added apps like Netflix and Amazon.
Dispatches from the Front
What do you think will happen with Star Trek Discovery if the first episode is a huge hit on CBS television, but the subsequent streaming only episodes are a bomb? Does it move to CBS television? Will they let if fail as a streaming only show? If they move it to television, what will this do for future streaming only series? Will people buy in to CBS All Access if they think there is a chance that streaming only shows will eventually show up on CBS television for free?
– Ken
Morning Tom and Brian,
Last show, Mickey Neumann made a great point I wish would have moved into discussion. His comment was following the conversation of how CBS moves it’s properties around like pawns — Mickey said he didn’t feel “it respects the creator of the art”.
Particularly from Brian, who’s produced shows (and even reneged his cable cutting tacit agreement so he could watch himself on cable tv)… and no longer controls the distribution of them. I’ve heard Brian mention in passing he doesn’t know where the shows are or how to get them.. so it sounds like he’s just let go. I’d love to hear more about that end of the deal process to letting go of your art
– Joe
Is there a way to request a company to start streaming some of their back catalog? HBO GO/HBO Now does not have some major pieces of their library:
The Tom Hanks produced From the Earth to the Moon mini series…
The Golden Globe winning Don King: Only in America movie…
The classic David Mamet directed magic special Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants…
And all of the past Young Comedian Specials…
Is it because these things were all filmed and produced for 4×3 television screens that they remain mothballed and not available to stream?
Thanks for any guidance…
– Shannon
Links
It’s Spoilerin’ Time 182
The Dark Tower, Rick and Morty (303), Preacher (207), Game of Thrones (704), Firefly (“Shindig”).
01:00 – Summer Movie Draft
03:25 – The Dark Tower
13:44 – Rick and Morty (303)
17:12 – Preacher (207)
22:17 – Game of Thrones (704)
37:04 – Firefly – “Shindig”
Cordkillers 182 – Traceable Hot Sausage
Netflix buys a comic publisher, CBS goes international with its streaming service, and we have Khan-concerns. With special guest Mikey Neumann.