x

Beating Netflix: The Pay-TV Market in 2016

News Analysis Mari Silbey, Senior Editor, Cable/Video 1/27/2016

Facing a swell of competition from online video services, traditional pay-TV providers in the US are trying a number of different ways to retain existing subscribers and attract new ones.

To track their progress, Light Reading took a step back and reviewed how these operators are adjusting their strategies today and what their plans are for video innovation in the near future.

Did you know?

Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is virtualizing its video delivery architecture.
Dish Network LLC (Nasdaq: DISH) is experimenting with new ways to make 4K/Ultra HD TV relevant.
Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is testing a skinny bundle, but believes it won't stay skinny for long.

In a new Prime Reading report, Light Reading examines the top cable, telecom TV and satellite operators in the US with an analysis of where these companies are likely to place their video bets in 2016. Their paths are different, but their goals are all the same: to counter rivals like Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), gain traction with the next generation of TV viewers and end up as one of the handful of pay-TV providers likely to survive and thrive in the online video revolution.

Read the report: Innovation Roundup: How US Pay-TV Providers Stack Up.

— Mari Silbey, Senior Editor, Cable/Video, Light Reading

COMMENTS

Newest First | Oldest First | Threaded View

Add Comment

steve q 1/28/2016 | 10:20:24 PM

Re: pay TV I have to say the one that own the data pipe line to the customer will win the game. And if Netflix has the main pipe for it customer and the other are looking for that edge they have to group themselves together. For one that had it all was Verizon FiOS with it fiber optic to the customer they are able to give the needed customer the service, but they have stop. Know they have come out with a plan with G90 that lets you watch some tv programing at a high data usage to their customer.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

alangonchar 1/28/2016 | 11:18:09 AM

Major TV Networks are the most vulnerable for disruptive technology At the end of the day even the most innovative dinosaurs still died off.

Very few of these companies (Telcos/Cable) have truly innovative solutions, that will slow or stop the disruptive nature of technology and real competition.

Increase bandwidth and hope that companies like Netflix die first or get acquired.

The major problem goes right back to the big network TV companies - where one of the networks VP's recently stated - paraphrasing "then TV will go back to the way God intended".

Do I even need to point out that cultural problem (we are too big to die) or just raise the issue that as advertisers shift budgets to where the "eyes" are going the networks won't have the money to produce decent content. Without decent content the death spiral will continue. Especially when the content/productions by HBO, Netflix etc... are already better and way cheaper than the old way anyways.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

MikeP688 1/27/2016 | 2:16:36 PM

Re: Netflix & Amazon The key is to underscore choice. It is clear that all the service providers are realizing it--they have no other option--do they? But the advent of the likes of Pluto and the innovations at Amazon et. al will continue to give folks a run for their money.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

mendyk 1/27/2016 | 12:37:04 PM

Re: Netflix & Amazon Either that, or they haven't figured out that spending eight figures on a 90-minute movie just isn't worth it.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

inkstainedwretch 1/27/2016 | 12:29:58 PM

Netflix & Amazon The report out of the Sundance Film Festival is that Netflix and Amazon were the two most aggressive bidders for some of the most commercially promising films that were premiered there. Some of the major distributors felt they couldn't compete. The most ambitious OTT companies continue to find business norms to disrupt. -- Brian Santo

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

Ariella 1/27/2016 | 10:02:28 AM

Re: pay TV I just saw that the WSJ published this: FCC to Propose Overhauling Rules on Set-Top Boxes:

Federal regulators soon are expected to propose overhauling rules for television set-top boxes, a move aimed at lowering bills for cable viewers and providing more access to Internet-based programming.

That could well shape the financial outlook for cable companies in the future.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD

Ariella 1/27/2016 | 9:52:31 AM

pay TV lots of players in that space now, and we will likely see even more in future.

Reply | Post Message | MESSAGES LIST | START A BOARD