Video is a done deal. Most cable companies lose money on their video packages anyway; they're a loss-leader for broadband subs at this point. In 5 years, nobody will be talking about the video business.
And the FCC very well should give more power to cable companies, because the cable companies are at a huge disadvantage relative to the big national telcos (aka AT&T and Verizon). AT&T and Verizon are working together to ensure none of the cable companies becomes a national player capable of threatening them. The old Bells are still much, much larger than any of the cable providers, so they can throw their weight around.
Video is a done deal. Most cable companies lose money on their video packages anyway; they're a loss-leader for broadband subs at this point. In 5 years, nobody will be talking about the video business.
If that was the case, cable companies would stop selling me the TV package when I already pay the maximum amount for internet they offer in my area.
Yet, somehow, they are always willing to sell me cable TV with free HBO for 12 months and a $50 gift card for $19.99/month.
Because there are still sales organizations within these companies whose bonuses are based on driving video revenue. It takes a while for a large company to unroll those organizations/incentives/etc. As it is, the primary customers of their video products are older adults.
But long-term, video is a non-issue. If prices don't come down, the cable providers will move to a la carte. There's just too much content available online via YouTube, Netflix, etc. It will still be a product, but it will be IP-only, cheaper, and offer more granular video packages.
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Video is a done deal. Most cable companies lose money on their video packages anyway; they're a loss-leader for broadband subs at this point. In 5 years, nobody will be talking about the video business.
And the FCC very well should give more power to cable companies, because the cable companies are at a huge disadvantage relative to the big national telcos (aka AT&T and Verizon). AT&T and Verizon are working together to ensure none of the cable companies becomes a national player capable of threatening them. The old Bells are still much, much larger than any of the cable providers, so they can throw their weight around.
If that was the case, cable companies would stop selling me the TV package when I already pay the maximum amount for internet they offer in my area.
Yet, somehow, they are always willing to sell me cable TV with free HBO for 12 months and a $50 gift card for $19.99/month.
Because there are still sales organizations within these companies whose bonuses are based on driving video revenue. It takes a while for a large company to unroll those organizations/incentives/etc. As it is, the primary customers of their video products are older adults.
But long-term, video is a non-issue. If prices don't come down, the cable providers will move to a la carte. There's just too much content available online via YouTube, Netflix, etc. It will still be a product, but it will be IP-only, cheaper, and offer more granular video packages.