A couple of newsworthy developments on the streaming front...

Paramount Is Considering Shutting Down Showtime and Migrating Its Content to Paramount+: Report https://t.co/FUVINpRhfH

— Variety (@Variety) September 13, 2022

Bob Chapek Talks Disney+, ESPN and Hulu Future and Hints at ‘Hard Bundle’ Integration to Come https://t.co/DaJr6dVOhx

— Variety (@Variety) September 10, 2022

Basically, it sounds like Showtime will, at some point in the next year or so, be completely folded into Paramount+, the Showtime brand shuttered, and then all Showtime series going forward will simply be labeled as Paramount+ series. Paramount already owns Showtime (along with CBS), so this would be less of a "merger" and more of a brand consolidation.

Then, on the Disney side of things, they're almost assuredly going to absorb Hulu (Disney has partial ownership in Hulu now, but will likely gain full control in 16 months, at the end of the current contract), and everything under Hulu/Disney+ will then live under one roof, like it already does internationally (Hulu only exists in the states). No idea if the Hulu and FX brands will be shuttered as well, but there will definitely at least be what amounts to a prestige/adult drama/adult comedy bucket separate from the current Disney+ offerings mostly aimed at younger viewers.

In other words, we're slowly but surely getting to the point of it basically being...

- Amazon Prime Video
- AMC+
- Apple+
- Disney+
- HBO Discovery
- Paramount+
- Peacock
- Netflix

... as the primary eight streamers. So, in order to keep up with everything, you may not have to subscribe to as many streamers, though I imagine a few of these will increase their prices once they do officially consolidate.

AMC is part of the "AMC Networks" parent company, which also includes IFC, SundanceTV, and BBC America, all of which either will or already do live under AMC+. So while they're certainly not on the level of the other streamers, they at least have an identity, along with a respectable amount of name-brand content. They'll be able to coast on Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Saul, and the Walking Dead franchise for years (though I don't think they outright own all of those - I think Sony technically owns Breaking Bad?). Who knows what their future holds post-Saul, and yeah they could eventually be bought, but for now they seem to be in good shape and haven't been the subject of any rumors.

Ah, I didn't realize they had all those other entities under the same roof.

I was wondering how/why Paramount+ was advertising adding Showtime for just a couple extra dollars recently, makes sense now.

Does anti-trust simply no longer exist?

Four Seasons Landscaping said:

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Does anti-trust simply no longer exist?

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Some what still a thing but the size of actions don't really have an effect.
https://www.justice.gov/atr/sherman-act-violations-yielding-corporate-fine-10-million-or-more

MSFC Aggie said:

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I would say, eventually we'll all be saying that we are going to plug the cable back in to save money. But I think cable is going away. One of our local cable companies doesn't even provide tv service anymore. It's just high speed internet and streaming packages.

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Traditional cable might go away, but I think there will be a time in the future where someone offers a subscription package that bundles all of the major streaming services together.

Although with the news of some of these streaming services consolidating, I'm less confident the pendulum swings back towards the old model than I was before I heard this news.

This is from a TCTTS's post in the DC thread. I've actually referred to this a few times:

Quote:

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Agreed. HBO Max - or whatever it's ultimately called - is definitely going to contract. Then Hulu is next, as it will almost assuredly be absorbed by Disney+ in the next couple of years (seeing as they're both owned by Disney). So the landscape could eventually look something like this (in alphabetical order)...

1. AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

2. APPLE TV+

3. DISCOVERY+ (Warner Bros. Discovery)
- HBO
- Warner Brothers/DC
- Cartoon Network + Adult Swim)
- Reality (Discovery, HGTV, Travel Channel, etc)
- Remnants of TNT, TBS, HBO Max, etc

4. DISNEY+
- Disney+ Originals (Star Wars, Marvel, etc)
- ABC
- FX
- Remnants of Hulu

5. NETFLIX

6. PARAMOUNT+ (ViacomCBS)
- Paramount+ Originals
- CBS
- Showtime
- Reality (Comedy Central, MTV, BET, etc)

7. PEACOCK
- Peacock Originals
- NBC
- Universal
- Reality (Bravo, E!, etc)
- Remnants of USA, SyFy, etc

... followed by a second tier of AMC+, EPIX, and STARZ, unless Apple buys one of them out.

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I've been curious as to what is keeping some of the minor streaming services going and who is subscribing to them. Some are listed above, but basically these:

Showtime (listed above, is part of an interesting student bundle with Spotify and Hulu)
Starz
EPIX
Cinemax (I'd assume goes to HBO/Discovery+)
The Movie Channel (goes with Showtime, I guess. Only included because I'm looking at premium channels available for me with Comcast)
Shudder (AMC)

I'm probably fairly typical that I have not ever paid full price for these channels, but have only dipped my toes in when there have been fairly good deals.

Hubert J. Farnsworth said:

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So what they are saying is that it will be back to how it was with satellite and cable? Paying for a bunch of junk you dont want. Cutting the cord was good while it lasted. Some smart people said this would eventually happen.

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It was always going to be expensive for the people that want everything. Even still as this moves a bit towards consolidation, the options and flexibility to balance viewing options and cost are far beyond what was available before.

I'm probably misunderstanding what you mean, but Fox is on Disney plus.

MSFC Aggie said:

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I would say, eventually we'll all be saying that we are going to plug the cable back in to save money. But I think cable is going away. One of our local cable companies doesn't even provide tv service anymore. It's just high speed internet and streaming packages.

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Yea you will probably pay a provider a negotiated rate to get however many branded streaming bundles you want at a discount. There could even be packages based on your interests, like the home and garden, the sports or the kids packages. You could even combine them all in to one premium bundle where you get everything. I wonder why no one came up with this before.

Lol should have read one post further

schmendeler said:

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I'm probably misunderstanding what you mean, but Fox is on Disney plus.

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That's because Disney bought all of Fox's studios and those studios' content. Fox Corporation still owns the Fox Network but the only content Fox as a company makes for their network is sports and reality/competition shows. I believe he was commenting how its weird how Fox hasnt tried to create a paid streaming option. I just don't think its possible anymore since they sold just everything thats needed for a paid streaming option to work. The only paid streaming that Fox Corporation deals with is Fox Nation. I wouldnt be opposed to a paid Fox Sports App to come out as I use a family member's cable login to make the Fox Sports streaming app work on my tvs. NBC and CBS are currently dipping their toes in the water to see just how many people sign up for their service to watch sports that are available on their OTA and Cable networks

Where's Google/YoutubeTV in all of this?

Would Hulu still offer live TV in this scenario under the Disney banner, or do they sell off that product to another company like Amazon or Apple?

I would be surprised if Disney keeps/offers a live TV service. It just doesn't feel like it fits their business model, as I can't see them wanting to offer access to competitor programming like that. I could be wrong, though.

cajunaggie08 said:

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schmendeler said:

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I'm probably misunderstanding what you mean, but Fox is on Disney plus.

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That's because Disney bought all of Fox's studios and those studios' content. Fox Corporation still owns the Fox Network but the only content Fox as a company makes for their network is sports and reality/competition shows. I believe he was commenting how its weird how Fox hasnt tried to create a paid streaming option. I just don't think its possible anymore since they sold just everything thats needed for a paid streaming option to work. The only paid streaming that Fox Corporation deals with is Fox Nation. I wouldnt be opposed to a paid Fox Sports App to come out as I use a family member's cable login to make the Fox Sports streaming app work on my tvs. NBC and CBS are currently dipping their toes in the water to see just how many people sign up for their service to watch sports that are available on their OTA and Cable networks

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Yes.
I just found it odd that CBS/NBC/ABC all have their streaming services, but Fox didn't really try or got out early.


Of interest will be if Paramount+, Comcast, Tubi, and ESPN+ all end up carrying their NFL or college football live content. Sports are many people's prime motivation for the live TV services so the availability to get all of those sports on streaming services would damage YTTV, Hulu with Live Sports, and the rest.


Also, just wanted to add that I hate the Bally's Sports App.

They don't produce content. They're a live TV provider only, not a "streamer." Basically a completely different business.

TCTTS said:

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I would be surprised if Disney keeps/offers a live TV service. It just doesn't feel like it fits their business model, as I can't see them wanting to offer access to competitor programming like that. I could be wrong, though.

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That doesn't stop Comcast, granted they were a cable company before they bought studios and networks.

Like many, I have a stable set of subscriptions (Netflix, HBO) and then rotate many others as needed. I don't like the idea of having to pay more for a service just to watch 1 or 2 shows, but it might just force me to cut one of my regulars temporarily to make up for it.

As long as the monthly subscription model sticks around, that will still help keep personal cost down.

amercer said:

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What, am I the only one paying 5$ a month for PBS streaming??? Got to have that whole NOVA/ Rick Steves/ Ken Burns back catalogue.

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We have both PBS kids and PBS documentary channels through the firesticks and they absolutely get used. We like Disney for the movies, but outside of Bluey, their kids programming is an ADHD inducing seizure. Like a game of how many bright colors and nonsensical storylines can you put in 24 minutes? Wild Kratts beats Mickey hands down.

Our family also uses the heck out of the PBS kids app and my wife and I personally enjoy the regular app for NOVA, Nature, Masterpiece, and more.Finally decided it was time to donate regularly since we do enjoy PBS as well as get that Passport access.

PBS Kids is great, especially for the price.