Verizon to join AT&T, Comcast and others with its streaming TV service

Verizon to join AT&T, Comcast and others with its streaming TV service

Following in the footsteps of HBO, AT&T, and Comcast, it’s looking like Verizon wants to appeal to the watch what I want, when I want, where I want Connected Society viewer. More competition should serve to improve choice, price and programming choices, and hopefully lower cable bills as well. The question is what does this mean for Hulu?

AT&T will soon have competition for its DirecTV Now service, according to a Bloomberg report, which says that Verizon is preparing to launch its own service in the summer. Verizon Communication…

Verizon Communications Inc. has been securing streaming rights from television network owners in preparation for the nationwide launch of a live online TV service, according to people familiar with the matter. The telecommunications giant plans to start selling a package with dozens of channels this summer.

Source: Verizon launching its own streaming TV service in the summer as net neutrality under threat | 9to5Mac

Jerry Seinfeld Teams with Netflix and What’s Wrong With That?

Jerry Seinfeld Teams with Netflix and What’s Wrong With That?

There is little question that streaming content is altering the playing the field, not just how people consume audio and video content, but increasingly where certain content can be found. First, it was movies, then TV shows, but as back catalogs were seemingly pervasive, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon have looked to differentiate themselves through proprietary content. It used to be as Bruce Springsteen sang, “57 channels and nothin’ on,” but that has morphed into hundreds of channels that need to be filled. The end result is an arms race for quality content that is likely to hasten the switch to streaming video services from traditional broadcast and cable networks. If asked, “What’s wrong with that?” for Seinfeld jumping ship to Netflix, we would say nothing… nothing at all.

Jerry Seinfeld is headed for Netflix.The comedian has signed a multifaceted production deal with the streaming giant, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Under the pact, Seinfeld’s award-winning Crackle series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee will move with new episodes to Netflix, with the comedian also set to film two new stand-up specials exclusively for the streamer.

The Seinfeld deal marks the latest investment in comedy for Netflix, which also shelled out $20 million each for a pair of Chris Rock stand-up comedy specials. Netflix’s entry into the stand-up space has created a growing arms race to land top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape against featured players Comedy Central, Showtime and HBO, among others. Other comedians who recently have gone to Netflix include Amy Schumer, who made a name for herself via Comedy Central, and Dave Chappelle.

The deal is a blow to Sony Pictures Television’s little-watched streaming service Crackle, which had been the exclusive home for Comedians in Cars, with Seinfeld’s deal with the independent studio expiring.

Source: Jerry Seinfeld Teams With Netflix for Two Stand-Up Specials, More ‘Comedians in Cars’ | Hollywood Reporter