Comcast unveils more about NBC’s new streaming service Peacock
Comcast offered new details about its NBC-branded Peacock streaming service that is expected to land on smart TVs and set-top boxes in April.
Streaming
Articles involving streaming media, including online-based television and radio services and streaming hardware manufacturers.
Free PBS live stream in the works, distributor said
A free live stream of PBS programming is in the works and could made available through an app soon, an executive with the syndicator said.
TV gossip site FTV Live blocked for California readers; owner blames new privacy laws
The “TMZ of Local TV News” has been blocked for California readers thanks to a new consumer privacy law, the site’s main editor says.
AT&T TV becomes first major service pulled from Roku platform
The specifics of AT&T’s deal with Roku aren’t clear, but the telecom giant said it’s working on a new agreement with Roku and hope to resolve this soon.
Hearst ends dispute with AT&T, bringing channels back to DirecTV
Hearst Television has restored more than three dozen local channels to AT&T-owned pay television platforms after a two-day long dispute over retransmission fees.
Streaming service NewsOn loses Disney-owned local news broadcasts
Disney, a launch partner of the NewsOn app, has pulled its eight channels from the service.
Hearst pulls channels from DirecTV, AT&T as negotiations continue
Local stations in as many as three dozens communities have been dropped from AT&T-owned pay TV platforms, including DirecTV.
Philo: A powerful — and cheap — online alternative to traditional cable
Philo serves up more than 50 top-rated cable channels over the Internet for a low $20 a month.
CNN falls behind Hallmark Channel in holiday ratings battle
CNN fell to fourth place in the ratings last week, falling behind Fox News, MSNBC and the holiday-themed Hallmark Channel.
Report: Comcast in “advanced talks” to acquire streaming service Xumo
Comcast is in advanced discussions to acquire streaming TV service Xumo, according to a news report.
Sling TV raises prices for just the second time in its history
The Dish Network-owned live streaming service will now offer its slimmest package of pay TV networks for $30 a month, a $10 increase from its base price when it launched nearly five years ago.
Vidgo relaunches with ESPN, Fox channels for $40 a month
A live streaming television service has re-launched with an expanded offering that mirrors that of other over-the-top services.
PBS moves closer to YouTube TV launch with official artwork
PBS was supposed to launch on YouTube TV this month, but financial complications and other setbacks have pushed back the date indefinitely.
Media Wrap-Up: Bingeable ads on Hulu, AT&T TV gets national launch date
Hulu is rolling out ads targeted at binge watchers; Vudu offers replacement rentals for bad movies; AT&T could shut down AT&T TV Now.
House lawmakers pass bill aimed at cracking down on hidden cable TV fees
House lawmakers have passed a measure that would require Comcast and other cable and satellite companies include so-called “hidden fees” in advertised prices.
Analyst: AT&T could kill descendant of DirecTV Now streaming service
AT&T could shutter its streaming service AT&T TV Now, formerly DirecTV Now, as the telecom giant shifts priorities away from the cordcutting service.
Together again: CBS, Viacom complete multi-billion dollar merger
Viacom and CBS Corporation have reunified as part of a $28 billion merger that will see the combination of global assets under one roof.
Roku scam asks users to pay for “lifetime” registration
Roku customers are falling for a scam in which fraudsters claim an activation fee is required to use Roku TVs and smart devices.
Comcast to hike cost of broadcast TV fee, increase cable and internet price
Starting in December, Comcast will begin charging an extra $5 for its basic package of local, government and public access channels.
Documentaries to air regularly on streaming news channel CBSN
CBSN has rolled out a new plan to stream original documentaries at the same time each week across its digital platforms, according to a report.
Pluto TV adds non-stop “Crank Yankers” channel
Pluto TV has added eight new channels to its free service, including one dedicated solely to the show “Crank Yankers.”
On streaming devices, here come the ads
Variety has an interesting report this morning that takes a closer look at the sudden proliferation of advertisements on some streaming hardware and services.
Disney rolls out price increase for Hulu with Live TV
On Friday, Disney said it believes asking customers to pay $55 a month better reflects the 60-plus live entertainment, news and sports channels offered on Hulu with Live TV.
Should you buy Verizon’s Stream TV box?
Verizon is selling a streaming TV device for $70. Don’t buy it. Verizon’s offering the same device to 5G customers for free. Don’t take it.
CBS adding free shows to Pluto TV streaming service
CBS will add free shows to the streaming service Pluto TV in the coming days, a company executive confirmed on Tuesday.
CBS All Access nabs rights to UEFA Champions League soccer matches
Starting in 2021, the CBS-owned streaming service will provide more than 400 UEFA Champions League soccer matches.
Disney Plus suffers technical hiccups, outages on first day
Thousands of users are reporting problems accessing Disney Plus in the first hours of its public rollout on Tuesday.
Disney Plus is so cheap because Disney wants your data
Disney is happy to subsidize Disney Plus at a deep discount of $7 a month because the Mr. Mouse company wants your data.
In the streaming space, there’s plenty of room for Netflix, Disney, Apple
Though the streaming media space is becoming increasingly crowded, it’s not a winner-take-all scenario, and multiple choices may ultimately be good for the industry.
Comcast replacing Starz with Epix in some packages, could drop channel completely
Starting December 10, the cable giant will replace several Starz channels with Epix, a multiplex movie network programmed by MGM Studios.
After missing deadline, YouTube promises PBS will launch later this year
Setbacks at some smaller member stations prompted YouTube and PBS to delay the rolling out of local PBS member stations until later this year.
NBC’s new streaming service Peacock will likely have advertisements
NBC’s new streaming service may be free for most TV viewers who agree to sit through a few ads every hour, according to a reliable report.
Philo probably won’t ever carry sports, CEO hints
Philo customers have to do without ESPN, CNN or Fox News — but the service is adding subscribers at a fast rate anyway, the company’s CEO says.
HBO Max will be free for some customers — but not everyone
Some customers who pay for HBO will get complimentary access to HBO Max when it launches in May. But not everyone qualifies.
AT&T pulls plug on free “Watch TV” for phone customers
If “your thing” is watching free streaming TV on AT&T’s dime, here’s some bad news for you.
Are we being stressed out by too many choices?
The proliferation of streaming services and the hundreds of movies and TV shows they offer could be triggering “choice overload,” according to one university researcher.
Most streaming services giving away subscriptions for free through deals
Streaming TV companies are giving away access to their programming through deals with third-party companies as a way of increasing their subscriber base.
“South Park” could depart Hulu as Viacom demands $500 million for rights
Disney-owned streaming service Hulu could be losing one of their most-popular animated sitcoms.
Will Spotify and Apple lose music the way Netflix has lost movies and shows?
Netflix and others are losing movies and TV shows to startup streaming services owned by content providers. Will music catalogs become fragmented in the same way?
Disney bans Netflix advertisements on TV channels: report
Disney has halted Netflix ads on ABC, ESPN and Freeform as it seeks to ramp up its own streaming TV service, according to Dow Jones.