Streaming TV Isn't Just a New Way to Watch. It's a New Genre.

[MULTIZ321]

Streaming TV Isn't Just a New Way to Watch. It's a New Genre. - by James Poniewozik/ Arts/ Television/ International New York Times/ The New York Times/ nytimes.com

"Full seasons, released all at once, are something genuinely new. And
we’re just starting to figure out their conventions and aesthetics..."


Richard

 

[friedshrimp]

I would rather have TV channels streamed than individual programs being streamed.

 

[PigsDad]

I would rather have TV channels streamed than individual programs being streamed.

Why? With individual shows you can pick and choose what you want. Not even sure what streaming a "channel" would look like. It sounds like a whole channel streaming would mean you would have to "tune in" at 7pm for a certain show, vs. streaming the individual show when you want to see it. Please explain -- I'm curious.

Kurt

 

[Ironwood]

My Bell Fibe TV cable package in Canada (fiber direct to the house) has just given us Netflix access directly through a dedicated channel. It is a separate subscription of course, but it is one click access and quicker than going through the smart TV or Roku portals I have.

 

[friedshrimp]

Why? With individual shows you can pick and choose what you want. Not even sure what streaming a "channel" would look like. It sounds like a whole channel streaming would mean you would have to "tune in" at 7pm for a certain show, vs. streaming the individual show when you want to see it. Please explain -- I'm curious.

Kurt

Because it's what I prefer. I DVR so many shows I can't remember the name of them all but I can just as easily switch back and forth (either OTAR or streaming) between the 4 major channels (based on not having a DVR).

There is a site that streams channels (ustvnow.com) but it is for military members stationed overseas (and it even has a limited DVR capability).

 

[PigsDad]

Because it's what I prefer. I DVR so many shows I can't remember the name of them all but I can just as easily switch back and forth (either OTAR or streaming) between the 4 major channels (based on not having a DVR).

So you have to set your DVR to record a desired show on the streamed channel. So how is that better than just being able to stream the show directly? Two major disadvantages are 1) you have to provide your own storage space (hard drive, etc.) and 2) you have to remember beforehand to DVR the show (if you forget, you're hosed).

I guess I just don't understand why people are so fixated on "channels" -- probably because that is how shows were traditionally broadcasted to viewers and people aren't comfortable with a new paradigm.

Kurt

 

[friedshrimp]

So you have to set your DVR to record a desired show on the streamed channel. So how is that better than just being able to stream the show directly? Two major disadvantages are 1) you have to provide your own storage space (hard drive, etc.) and 2) you have to remember beforehand to DVR the show (if you forget, you're hosed).

I guess I just don't understand why people are so fixated on "channels" -- probably because that is how shows were traditionally broadcasted to viewers and people aren't comfortable with a new paradigm.

Kurt

I am an IT Tech. I have no issues whatsoever with any new type of technology and am comfortable with all of them. My wife, on the other hand is not and I also have to take that into consideration. That being said, yes, I find it easier to remember 4 things (channels) than 50 things (individual shows).

My DVR is from the cable company, not streaming. The wonderful thing is once programmed, I don't ever have to remember, even from season to season. Set it once and it will tape (copy if you prefer) as long as the show is on. And the reason for preferring channels is that I can pick one of the 4 channels and scan through them to decide what to tape. So much easier than trying to remember the name of 50 different shows every week.

Remember one thing though just because something is new doesn't necessarily make it better. Just like the reason we have streaming TV and cell phones and such. It wasn't to give the people a better product, it was an effort to utilize bandwidth more efficiently. Personally, I'd rather have a little snow on the TV from a slightly weak signal that to have the picture freeze and pixelate.

 

[VegasBella]

I would rather have TV channels streamed than individual programs being streamed.

Many channels' websites actually stream their content. Some require you to login and show that you've paid for it through cable and others don't. They air online whatever is airing locally, including many of the same commercials etc.

I DVR so many shows I can't remember the name of them all

When you choose shows to add to your DVR you do this on a case-by-case basis, right? Well it's the same way that you might add shows to your queue on Hulu Plus or how you might add shows to your watchlist or video library on Amazon.

You don't really need to remember them. You just watch something and if you like it and want to be updated when new episodes come out then you click "favorite" or "add to watchlist" or whatever.

The best thing, IMO, about streaming is that if you use it frequently and you rate shows then it gets "smarter" about giving you recommendations of other shows you might also like. Its been a long time since I used a DVR (at least 8 years) but I don't think DVRs are good at giving recommendations. The other thing I like is being able to avoid most commercials. With a DVR I had to fastfforward through commercials whereas now most content I watch doesn't even have them at all.

 

[friedshrimp]

Many channels' websites actually stream their content. Some require you to login and show that you've paid for it through cable and others don't. They air online whatever is airing locally, including many of the same commercials etc.




When you choose shows to add to your DVR you do this on a case-by-case basis, right? Well it's the same way that you might add shows to your queue on Hulu Plus or how you might add shows to your watchlist or video library on Amazon.

You don't really need to remember them. You just watch something and if you like it and want to be updated when new episodes come out then you click "favorite" or "add to watchlist" or whatever.

The best thing, IMO, about streaming is that if you use it frequently and you rate shows then it gets "smarter" about giving you recommendations of other shows you might also like. Its been a long time since I used a DVR (at least 8 years) but I don't think DVRs are good at giving recommendations. The other thing I like is being able to avoid most commercials. With a DVR I had to fastfforward through commercials whereas now most content I watch doesn't even have them at all.

Yes, I know Hulu has a queue feature and it used to be nice when it emailed me to let me know that a new episode of a show was available. But alas, that feature has not worked for several years for me now. Also, the biggest issue with Hulu is the lack of content from CBS, and the lack of live news and sports.

I haven't used Hulu Plus but regular Hulu still has commercials. And I personally still think it's great just to not have to watch commercials so fast forwarding through them is no bother at all. That and I don't need an AI recommending shows to me. I have no problem researching what I like of just taping a new season of new shows and then cancelling the ones I don't like.

 

[dioxide45]

We signed up for Netflix once. It lasted a month. My biggest issue is that everything on there is old. Old seasons of this show or that. Unless I am wanting to watch original content, I can't watch current seasons of any show. Perhaps other providers are different or things have changed, but I wouldn't suspect so.

 

[VegasBella]

the biggest issue with Hulu is the lack of content from CBS, and the lack of live news and sports.

I haven't used Hulu Plus but regular Hulu still has commercials.

I understand about CBS. I love The Good Wife, Madame Secretary, and Extant. And I understand about news and sports. The way my household does it is we have:
-hulu (the special no commercial plan)
-netflix
-amazon prime
-MLB
-antennae for TV

For us, it's far more convenient to be able to watch on various devices at home or away from home and we pay less total than we did for cable. We get our news from the web or radio mostly and we pick and choose sports packages.

 

[friedshrimp]

I understand about CBS. I love The Good Wife, Madame Secretary, and Extant. And I understand about news and sports. The way my household does it is we have:
-hulu (the special no commercial plan)
-netflix
-amazon prime
-MLB
-antennae for TV

For us, it's far more convenient to be able to watch on various devices at home or away from home and we pay less total than we did for cable. We get our news from the web or radio mostly and we pick and choose sports packages.

For me the big kicker is no antenna TV. We live in a literal black hole and get no signal even with a 30ft outdoor antenna. Otherwise I would already be on Hulu with an antenna.

 

[Passepartout]

'Streaming Channels'

Isn't 'Streaming Channels' functionally the same as Cable? Far better and more realistic is streaming programming.

Jim