VOD : Streaming services news, offers and general chit chat

[TimeLord2018]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Who do you think has bought the rights? Sky? Amazon?

Not all of them are Paramount owned titles though, Paramount still sell content to both Sky & UKTV amongst others aswell shows they produce for other streaming services.

[jfman]

Only a matter of time before a regulator steps in and tells these streaming services they have to offer transparency to end users around what they are actually buying and where content is time limited to include that in available data to prospective buyers.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by jfman

Only a matter of time before a regulator steps in and tells these streaming services they have to offer transparency to end users around what they are actually buying and where content is time limited to include that in available data to prospective buyers.

I doubt that. You often have only one opportunity to watch a programme on a TV channel (unless you record it). No-one complains about that.

However, I do think it would be advantageous to viewers if the streamers could flag up the date on which content is scheduled to be withdrawn, as the BBCi-Player does.

[TimeLord2018]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I doubt that. You often have only one opportunity to watch a programme on a TV channel (unless you record it). No-one complains about that.

However, I do think it would be advantageous to viewers if the streamers could flag up the date on which content is scheduled to be withdrawn, as the BBCi-Player does.

These weren't scheduled removals though, Paramount+ UK had the rights to season 1 of Quantum Leap from NBC Universal until July 2026, the originals were 2033 to 2038.

Were removed as part of cost cutting by Paramount Global.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

I doubt that. You often have only one opportunity to watch a programme on a TV channel (unless you record it). No-one complains about that.

They aren’t selling you one thing and giving consumers another. You may care little for consumers getting swindled by big media conglomerates and tech companies, but others will take a different view.

They’re promising massive libraries of content to watch at your convenience and naming many of these series in their advertising.

Sky telling you, for example, “that the final series of Succession starts in March” carries with it expectations that consumers clearly know and understand.

However, I do think it would be advantageous to viewers if the streamers could flag up the date on which content is scheduled to be withdrawn, as the BBCi-Player does.

The emperor didn’t advertise that he had no clothes.

---------- Post added at 10:46 ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 ----------

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018

These weren't scheduled removals though, Paramount+ UK had the rights to season 1 of Quantum Leap from NBC Universal until July 2026, the originals were 2033 to 2038.

Were removed as part of cost cutting by Paramount Global.

As actors, producers, writers claim ever increasing amounts in ongoing royalties we are only going to see more of this to keep costs down in streamers back catalogues.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2018

These weren't scheduled removals though, Paramount+ UK had the rights to season 1 of Quantum Leap from NBC Universal until July 2026, the originals were 2033 to 2038.

Were removed as part of cost cutting by Paramount Global.

These were cynical removals. If they'd been customer focused they would have given subscribers sufficient notice that they were leaving the platform. And Paramount + encouraged subscribers to pay annually with a generous discount if they did - so it's not as if all discontented subscribers can just cancel their monthly direct debits.

I've no issues with companies balancing the books as they won't be around if they don't. But Paramount's approach verges on the unethical and tarnishes the reputation of the streaming sector.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

These were cynical removals. If they'd been customer focused they would have given subscribers sufficient notice that they were leaving the platform. And Paramount + encouraged subscribers to pay annually with a generous discount if they did - so it's not as if all discontented subscribers can just cancel their monthly direct debits.

I've no issues with companies balancing the books as they won't be around if they don't. But Paramount's approach verges on the unethical and tarnishes the reputation of the streaming sector.

US channels have dropped shows for decades without notice , nothing new. That's why I used to wait for reruns

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Itshim

US channels have dropped shows for decades without notice , nothing new. That's why I used to wait for reruns

A show being dropped because it’s cancelled is one thing, moving to another network less common. But owning the rights and not broadcasting it to save on royalties is completely wild.

It also raises significant competition concerns if these services are buying up content, not using it, simply to prevent an alternative streamer picking the rights up. Another area I’m sure the competition regulators in the US and EU will take note of. The UK regulators, are rule-takers in the global market - will no doubt sheepishly concur once one of the big boys act.

[Itshim]

Has been suggested, at a friend's party ( he worked, stress worked) in TV that the writer's guild strike has some bearing on the decision to cutback . He said download , record anything you can, or just stick to films!

[buckeye]

Originally Posted by jfman

A show being dropped because it’s cancelled is one thing, moving to another network less common. But owning the rights and not broadcasting it to save on royalties is completely wild.

It also raises significant competition concerns if these services are buying up content, not using it, simply to prevent an alternative streamer picking the rights up. Another area I’m sure the competition regulators in the US and EU will take note of. The UK regulators, are rule-takers in the global market - will no doubt sheepishly concur once one of the big boys act.

This is not the first time Paramount+ have had a mass cull of content in their short lifespan, if I hadn't secured a deal to get their service for less than £3 a month I wouldn't still be a customer of theirs!
This streaming future is rapidly becoming worse than the old ways of paying for channels you don't want to get the ones you do want!

[jfman]

Originally Posted by buckeye

This is not the first time Paramount+ have had a mass cull of content in their short lifespan, if I hadn't secured a deal to get their service for less than £3 a month I wouldn't still be a customer of theirs!
This streaming future is rapidly becoming worse than the old ways of paying for channels you don't want to get the ones you do want!

It’s certainly a massive risk for trustworthiness of streamers if they are unreliable for content, reducing choice and reneging on their promises of “no ads”.

In an increasingly fragmented market, with rising prices across the board, I’d be completely unsurprised if the consumers in the market ultimately coalesce around trusted brands like Sky (or Virgin). They’ll ultimately have a presence in many households anyway, therefore having the advantage of bundling with fixed line broadband and mobile.

[djmagnifique]

Watching Good Omens on Amazon and the ads have kicked in. Not too bad so far, 40 seconds of ads before the show and 1 20-30 second ad part way through. I can cope with that if it stays that way.

[MatthewEastaugh]

Also noted here that the previously announced second series of 'The Flatshare' on Paramount Plus will no longer be going ahead:
https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a...led-paramount/
Seems a pretty massive 'scaling back' on ambitions for P+.

More details:
https://www.geektown.co.uk/2024/02/0...-paramount-uk/

[buckeye]

Originally Posted by djmagnifique

Watching Good Omens on Amazon and the ads have kicked in. Not too bad so far, 40 seconds of ads before the show and 1 20-30 second ad part way through. I can cope with that if it stays that way.

I thought Amazon said they'd have the least ads of any streamer?
That's far worse than I've experienced on Netflix so far, in 4 hours of viewing since my Netflix account switched to the ad tier I've only had two 40 second ads.
The high seas are beckoning me to return

[TimeLord2018]

On average Amazon say expected to be 2-3 and half minutes of ads per hour , in some programs an ad will appear before it begins playing.
https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/29/amazo...e-video-ads-3/
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Netflix say an average of about 4 mins of ads per hour may vary depending on the title
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126831