A sudden flurry of ATV stories in big media - what's going on?

[gkarris]

CNN has the topic on their front page:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/06/internet.tv/index.html

The looming switch from Analog to Digital TV is causing people to think of alternatives and Internet TV is finally making its way into the mainstream spotlight.

Apple will have to catch up if they want to compete in this emerging field.

The only thing Apple would have to do is add free, ad-driven, content. The download would contain ads and you wouldn't be able to skip them.

Apple is more than capable of providing this. It's up to the studios if they want to make it available on AppleTV thus creating competition for their own online services.

 

[Tilpots]

The ONLY way I could see the TV being widly successful without a DVR, is to provide all major network content FREE through iTunes (even if only for a limited window), just like they were an affiliate. The vast majority of people will NEVER pay for what they could get for free, never.

I have no idea how much the netowrks would charge or how Apple would recoup their cost. I'm just trying be open-minded about how it could work without a DVR.

 

[dmm219]

The ONLY way I could see the TV being widly successful without a DVR, is to provide all major network content FREE through iTunes (even if only for a limited window), just like they were an affiliate. The vast majority of people will NEVER pay for what they could get for free, never.

I have no idea how much the netowrks would charge or how Apple would recoup their cost. I'm just trying be open-minded about how it could work without a DVR.

What are people getting for free?? NOBODY GETS TV FOR FREE unless they pirate it. Most people pay close to $1000 a year for their TV. They then pay for it again in terms of additional time with advertising. Itunes shows absolutely do NOT need to be free. They need to be cheaper than the cost of cable or Sat TV yearly subscriptions. They have already removed commercials, which does make them Cheaper in the less time the customer has to waste for commercials. This is essentially, the exact same thing a DVR does (and its why networks hate DVRs they are losing one hidden stream of income). So now, you have to make the content cheaper by the ala cart method.

For people who watch 8 hours a tv a day, right now cable will be far cheaper. This is why apple will need to eventually get there costs much lower than they currently are to compete. There will be a sweet spot in price where people will feel satisfied with the amount of content for the cost.

Unfortunately, we live in a country with a mostly financially illiterate populace who does not understand the true financial costs of "subscriptions". 80% of people overpay with subscriptions for the services they actually receive. Its a great con and people fall for it every time.

 

[Tilpots]

What are people getting for free?? NOBODY GETS TV FOR FREE unless they pirate it. Most people pay close to $1000 a year for their TV. They then pay for it again in terms of additional time with advertising. Itunes shows absolutely do NOT need to be free. They need to be cheaper than the cost of cable or Sat TV yearly subscriptions. They have already removed commercials, which does make them Cheaper in the less time the customer has to waste for commercials. This is essentially, the exact same thing a DVR does (and its why networks hate DVRs they are losing one hidden stream of income). So now, you have to make the content cheaper by the ala cart method.

For people who watch 8 hours a tv a day, right now cable will be far cheaper. This is why apple will need to eventually get there costs much lower than they currently are to compete. There will be a sweet spot in price where people will feel satisfied with the amount of content for the cost.

Unfortunately, we live in a country with a mostly financially illiterate populace who does not understand the true financial costs of "subscriptions". 80% of people overpay with subscriptions for the services they actually receive. Its a great con and people fall for it every time.

EVERYBODY GETS FREE TV! Are you serious? I'm not talking about the device, I'm talking about the content from the major networks. Even if it has ads built in, it's still free. It's never cost you me or anyone else a dime.

 

[gkarris]

The only thing Apple would have to do is add free, ad-driven, content. The download would contain ads and you wouldn't be able to skip them.

Apple is more than capable of providing this. It's up to the studios if they want to make it available on AppleTV thus creating competition for their own online services.

EVERYBODY GETS FREE TV! Are you serious? I'm not talking about the device, I'm talking about the content from the major networks. Even if it has ads built in, it's still free. It's never cost you me or anyone else a dime.

Hence, offer downloadable content with ads, for free...

But again, competition with Cable/Dish/Over-The-Air...

Do the studios want to take away the audience from the others and give them to Apple?

Probably not...

 

[Bevz]

BBC iPlayer (and other streaming services) is an absolute must in my opinion. ATV is all about digital content; streaming Internet sourced TV is a logical next step. Having said that, some serious improvement on the UI and simplifying the iTunes content playing is a must too...!

I love my ATV; but sadly i love the idea of it more than the current implementation! It needs some serious TLC to help it move on.... I also think apple constantly referring to it as a "hobby" is not helpful. It indicates they aren't taking it that seriously, and quite frankly that's the impression you get when you play with it long enough...

 

[Tilpots]

Hence, offer downloadable content with ads, for free...

But again, competition with Cable/Dish/Over-The-Air...

Do the studios want to take away the audience from the others and give them to Apple?

Probably not...

It won't succed unless it's competitive with pay services like cable and sattellite. It needs to be the much cheaper a la carte alternative.

As long as the studios are making money, they don't care who's paying them or who distributes their material.