Cordkillers 176 – It’s Cancelled If You’re Nasty

Cordkillers / June 27th, 2017

Is the Han Solo movie in trouble or has it actually been saved? Netflix’s answer to Brian and YouTube comes with the stars for original series. With special guest Shannon Morse.

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CordKillers: Ep. 176 – It’s Cancelled If You’re Nasty
Recorded: June 26 2017
Guest: Shannon Morse

Intro Video

Primary Target

  • Ron Howard Steps in to Direct Han Solo Movie
    – Wednesday Phil Lord and Chistopher Miller announced they were leaving their Directorial gig on the new Star Wars Han Solo movie saying “Unfortunately, our vision and process weren’t aligned with our partners on this project. We normally aren’t fans of the phrase ‘creative differences’ but for once this cliché is true.” Kathleen Kennedy said, “it’s become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we’ve decided to part ways.” Thursday morning Lucasfilm announced Ron Howard has been brought on board and will resume shooting July 10th. Howard said “I hope to honor the great work already done & help deliver on the promise of a Han Solo film.”

How to Watch

  • Netflix debuts choose-your-own-adventure stories for kids
    – Netflix announced the debut of interactive stories that let viewers decided what happens next. The first releases are meant for younger viewers. “Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale,” launched globally Tuesday. It pauses 13 times, has two different endings, and lasts between 18 and 39 minutes. “Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile,” arrives July 14th. “Stretch Armstrong: The Breakout,” is set for sometime next year. Keep in mind, the Netflix website, Android Devices, Chromecast and Apple TV do not support interactive content at this time.

What to Watch

What We’re Watching

Front Lines

Dispatches from the Front

I have been a cord cutter for the last several years. Life has gotten much easier since solutions such as PlayStation Vue and Sling TV have been released. I have been settled on PlayStation Vue and I’m using Amazon Fire TVs to watch on my TV. Since the announcement that Amazon will have an app on the Apple TV, I am also a Prime subscriber, I have been contemplating getting an Apple TV. My main interest is in the TV app that keeps track of the shows I am watching and serves the next episode up. I was wondering if this works as advertised and is makes the new Apple TV worth purchasing. The reason I ask is that I am a little Device heavy at the moment; 1 Fire TV, 2 Fire TV sticks, 2 older Apple TVs, and Chromecast, I want to make sure the next device I buy is worth it. I appreciate your input and opinion.

– Joe

 

 

 

Hi Guys,
I’ve been thinking about what Netflix might miss out on.
The horse they didn’t bet on. I’m going to go with plug-ins. Whether it’s HBO, Showtime, or CBS/CW, we aren’t getting everything from one source other than cable. Youtube is close now with their offering of live TV and Amazon is close as well, with their “channel” options.

So I’m calling it now. The next couple years will be the battle of the UI. Which service you use will depend on not only original content, but the UI itself and the extras it provides.

Examples:
Multiple Profiles are becoming common place.
Can they include RSS feeds of shows you like, but not offered within the channel?
What type of PlayLists can they provide:
– manually set up of shows you love
– a shuffle mode of similar type shows (for the lay back experience),
– new this week playlists so you aren’t behind on your current shows but watching them on your schedule.

Now the new thing is networks and more importantly local networks. Netflix hasn’t jumped into any of that. Do they consider HBO competition or should it be a value addon. HBO and Amazon, as well as Hulu and Showtime, seem to be working side by side. This gives Prime, as an example, an advantage. Viewers can watch Game of Thrones in the same UI as Transparent, next to Preacher (Starz), next to Shameless (Showtime), while Netflix only has their originals. So, in my opinion, Netflix should jump on this ban wagon quickly.

Final thought, I’ve been waiting a long time for 3-month or 6-month subscription cards. We as cord cutters are cash conscious. We may want something like See-so or Britbox but they feel a bit expensive. Yet, I would have no problem putting it on a Xmas or birthday wish list. Hulu spoiled me with their cards as I would give them to my daughter for a year of service every year for Xmas, but now I need more options for my viewing needs.

Thanks as always for the Show and the time you put into them.

– Nicky

 

 

 

I recently dropped Comcast cable in favor of DirecTV Now/Netflix/Hulu/Prime on Apple TV. The strange reason was the data usage policy that Comcast has and the viewing differences of generations. We have 5 teens and they don’t watch cable at all; it’s all about streaming for them and we were close to the cap every month and needed to babysit it. We finally decided to go digital. While the monthly cost is about the same I love the consumption model much better now that we are adjusted. I can easily see a future without DirecTV Now as well.

– Bill 

Links

2017 Summer Movie Draft
patreon.com/cordkillers

Cordkillers 175 – Netflix Killers (w/ Kristi Kates)

Cordkillers / June 20th, 2017

What Netflix needs to do to survive, why Apple hired Sony’s TV presidents, and whether Netflix should warn you about download limits. Brian says no! With special guest Kristi Kates.

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CordKillers: Ep. 175 – Netflix Killers
Recorded:  June 19 2017
Guest:  Kristi Kates

Intro Video

Primary Target

  • 80% Cut the Cord Because Cable TV is Simply Too Expensive
    – A report from TiVo shows nearly half of pay TV subscribers are at least considering cutting the cord and that 80% of cord cutters made the change because pay TV was too expensive. After price the main reasons for cord-cutting were given as the availability of streaming services and the use of over the air antennas. Of those unsatisfied with their current Pay TV service 81.4% said it was the high price, 32.9% said it was poor customer service and 29.9% said it was the quality of the TV service.
  • Netflix has more American subscribers than cable TV
    – Leichtman research estimates that as of the first three months of 2017, Netflix has 50.85 million US subscribers and all cable TV outlets combined have 48.61 million. That doesn’t include satellite TV service like Dish and DirecTV but still, Netflix can say they’re bigger than cable. As for Internet-only services Leichtman estimates Sling TV has 1.36 million subscribers and DirecTV Now has 375,000. YouTube TV and Hulu TV hadn’t launched yet in the time period covered.

How to Watch

What to Watch

What We’re Watching

Front Lines

Dispatches from the Front

Tom and Brian,

First time commenter long time listener!

I wanted to weigh in on the discussion around why Netflix content has such an memorable impact to the market. I believe Netflix’s secret sauce is its ease of access to its service.

If you recall, right out of the gate, Netflix’s streaming service was available on multiple platforms including smartphones, tablets, smart TV’s as well as DVD/Bluray players and gaming platforms (Xbox 360/One, PlayStation 3/4, Nintendo Wii/Wii U, xDS). Users both technically savvy and not could access Netflix’s content and have a very similar experience within their comfort zone. In my opinion, this helped Netflix leapfrog the competition and solidify itself in the space. Even now, Netflix continues to target ease of access by integrating Netflix into cord-keeping offerings like Comcast’s voice enabled x1 platform.

Love the show!

– Mike

 

 

 

 

Hi guys! Debbie from hot and sticky San Antonio here (oh wait, that’s a different show). I’m listening to you guys talk about Katy Perry’s livestreaming (show 174) and I feel the need to point out that Katy Perry’s livestream was the same basic format as that of CBS’s Big Brother. Fly On The Wall Productions, which is involved with Big Brother, produced Katy Perry’s five-day livestream. The Big Brother live feeds are on CBS All Access, and a new cast debuts later this month.

– Debbie

 

 

 

 

I wanted to update you guys on what Vidangel.com. They recently released a new service to filter video content over the top of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon. Thanks for your podcast, I enjoy the up to date news on all things media-ish.

– Michael

 

 

 

 

FYI: In order to watch Scam School on the Science Channel when it airs, I found that I can sign up for a free 5 day trial of Playstation Vue. Unfortunately, this means I cannot confirm this will work until after Cordkillers airs. Why only 5 days?

– Brian

 

 

 

Hello Cordkillers,

Nicole Lee’s complaint about not being able to change the stop time on recordings is one of my biggest pet peeves with PlayStation Vue. When you start a “recorded” show it will ask you if you want to see the DVR version or the On Demand version. The DVR version lets you fast forward commercials. However, way too often the recorded version cuts off before the last few minutes of the show. This happens more often with certain shows (Doctor Who and Better Call Saul are two I can recall). Of course you can’t fast forward the on-demand version so you can’t jump to the end to see what you missed. As far as I can tell there is no setting to record X minutes longer. So frustrating.

– Keith

 

 

 

 

Tom and Brian,

Was curious if you’d ever done any review on the Select TV service or discussed their future SelectTV One set top box.
Their service looks like Just Watch on steroids for $2.99 a month.

Could their SelectTV One box be the ala carte solution Brian has longed for once ATSC 3.0 gets rolling?
Look forward to your next show…

– Armando

Links

2017 Summer Movie Draft
patreon.com/cordkillers
 

Cordkillers 172 – Cordkilling Purgatory (w/ Ron Richards)

Cordkillers / May 30th, 2017

Verizon gets into over the top streaming, Facebook dropping thousands, and people don’t like cable companies. With special guest Ron Richards.

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CordKillers: Ep. 172 – Cordkilling Purgatory
Recorded: May 29 2017
Guest: Ron Richards

Intro Video

Primary Target

  • Verizon CEO confirms company’s plan to launch a streaming TV service
    – Verizon’s acquisition of Yahoo is expected to close mid-June
    – Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam expects to use the Combined Yahoo-AOL, which will be called Oath, to “test out an over the top service.”
    – This would be different than Go90.
    – Verizon is paying the NFL some $21 million for rights to the Sept. 24 regular-season game between the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars in London, and the telco will stream the game live across its portfolio of video platforms including AOL, Yahoo, Fios TV, Go90 and Complex.com.

How to Watch

  • Facebook signs BuzzFeed, Vox, others for original video shows
    – Sources tell Reuters Facebook has signed deals with Vox Media, BuzzFeed, ATTN, Group Nine Media and others to make shows. A new video service from Facebook would have long and short-form content with ad breaks. Scripted shows would run 20-30 minutes and unscripted shows range 5- 10 minutes long. Facebook is supposedly paying up to $250,000 for the longer shows and between 10 and 35,000 for the shorter episodes. Shows will premiere exclusively on Facebook but run on creators sites after a period of time.

What to Watch

What We’re Watching

Front Lines

  • Netflix is bringing Ellen DeGeneres back to standup
    – Netflix posted on Twitter to Ellen Degeners “Looks like it’s been 15 years since you did a stand-up special, @TheEllenShow. How about one for Netflix?” She replied “Let me think about it. OK I’m in.” In an official statement Ellen sais she’s writing it now and will let folks know where and wen it will be recorded.
  • Netflix cancels Baz Luhrmann’s ‘The Get Down’
    – Netflix will not give Baz Luhrman’s The Get Down another season. It’s unusual for Netflix to cancel shows especially after only one season.
  • The Cable TV Industry Is Getting Even Less Popular
    – A survey from the American Customer Satisfaction index found that cable operators and ISPs tied for last place with an average customer satisfaction rating of 64%. That’s down 1.5 percentage points for cable. Wireless carriers improved 3 points to 73%. Comcast was near the bottom at 58% down six points just above Mediacom’s 56%. Verizon FiOS was top of TV services at 71%. The top-ranked industries in this year’s survey were makers of television and video players at 87%, and soft drink makers at 84%.
  • Almost every adult still watches TV the old-fashioned way
    – Nielsen’s numbers show 92 percent of those older than 18 watch television on a TV. And 82.1% of total minutes of TV watched last year were watched on a TV. Computers, phones and tablets made up less than 8 percent of total viewing time.
  • Jon Stewart isn’t doing an animated HBO show anymore
    – Jon Stewart’s four year deal to create animated shorts for HBO has been shelved. A joint statement said “technical issues in terms of production and distribution that proved too difficult given the quick turnaround and topical nature of the material.” HBO and Stewart said in their statement that they’re now working to develop new projects, “which you will be hearing about in the near future.”
  • Twitter for Apple TV adds live, 360 degree video and Periscope’s global map
    – Twitter updated its Apple TV app to include support for Periscope’s Global Map and the ability to watch live 360-degree videos. Viewers use the Apple TV remote to navigate the 360-degree videos.

Dispatches from the Front

Hey, guys. Just have a couple of questions about all of the proxy banning going on.
I’m an American, living in America, with an American debit card and accounts that were all set up without anonymization. I just got DD-WRT set up on a new router so I could run openVPN and anonymize my traffic without breaking things like Google Cast and wifi direct by running VPN clients on individual machines.
I had forgotten, however, that Hulu and Amazon Prime are blocking proxies and VPNs with startling aggression. While my Netflix still works, it’s only a matter of time for that one as well.
I’m wondering what the logic is to so aggressively blocking VPNs, especially on accounts that have all the markers of being American except a verifiable IP address (I typically use a Florida server).
Am I expected to give up the only thing really protecting my online privacy, and my data, just because Hulu and Amazon Prime want to use a butcher knife instead of a scalpel to solve their (arguably) imaginary VPN problem?

– Dean

 

 

 

Hi Guys and possible Guest,

I finally did it, I cut the cable. I still had to keep the phone to keep my modem free for my internet. (Keeping the phone makes my bill $85 vs $89 but it was $156}

Now comes the next step. What services do I want to go with. So in Jun, I’m doing Playstation, July might be Sling if Playstation doesn’t work out. August will either be YouTube or Hulu. [Leaning more towards Youtube if it gets to Omaha]

My question is about these services and which is GeoLocked to the home and which ones aren’t. My daughter is quite used to watching Hulu and Youtube, when at work or her Dad’s all of which is in my same city. Do we have any information on these two and if they tv options can be watched out of the home?

Thanks
– Nicky

 

 

 

 

Hey guys,

As one that lives just slightly out of reach of high speed broadband (100mb/s stops 3/4 of a mile down the road from me). I use a 4G wireless router in the house with 2mb/s download.

With limited bandwith but still having a household of people fighting for the bits, I was curious if you could point me to streaming services that best accomodate.

My personal anecdotal experience:

Netflix the best as it seemlessly buffers and downres’s to fit the stream without ever a hiccup for me.
Youtube second as it allows me to several different res options that I can pick manually if I experience trouble.
Hulu next as it is usually consistent but very limited options for res changes if I experience problems.
Crackle, same experience as Hulu but the limited show options cause me to rank lower.
Vudu, worst for me, always defaults back to HD res, tends to freeze up when I switch to SD. Even at SD, I have to disconnect every cell phone, game devise and computer from network to stream.

Just thoughts from one of the majority in this country not on Gigabit fiber.

– Joe

 

 

 

Hi Killers,

With the arrival of “American Gods” on Starz I decided to try the service with their 7 day free trial. I quickly decided that there was nothing else on Starz that I cared about watching. Also, their Android app provided a really poor experience. So I decided to take Brian’s advice and look at this logically. I have no great need to watch this series live. I cancelled Starz. Instead, I will wait until it’s offered for purchase. I might have to wait a year. Oh well. As you both often point out, there is plenty of fun stuff to watch in the meantime.

Been a fan and supporter since the beginning. You guys make me laugh, which is reason enough to continue. Love. The. Show.

– Lisa

 

 

 

 

Hey Guys,

Talking about ESPN for sports is almost like talking about MTV for music. While ESPN has a lot of shows ABOUT sports, they don’t actually air that many games.

I am fully against them counting eyeballs in bars towards their numbers. Most bars have ESPN talk shows on throughout the day that no one is actually watching because, really, what else are they going to put on when there are no local sports games playing. I think that stacking the numbers like this will give them leverage to keep charging their obnoxiously high fees which will in turn keep all of the cable rates, and potentially streaming service rates, high.

I love your show and never miss an episode, but whenever there is a sports question and you guys bring up ESPN, I cringe. I am a huge sports fan and I wouldn’t even notice if someone removed ESPN and all of its channels from whatever service I was paying for at the time.

Your boss and long-time fan,
– Ryan

 

Links

2017 Summer Movie Draft
patreon.com/cordkillers