[Three of Seven]

Haha, I normally don't like to do that but I was having a very similar conversation on Reddit and when I gave a response about admiring them from a business perspective I got crushed with the "who are you, what do you know, blah blah blah" followed by a flood of down votes; you know, typical Reddit stuff. Hoping that throwing some background in there would give the comment some context.

I wouldn't personally admire them from a business perspective, their platform is greed driven, not customer driven, which is fine if that's the sort of business model you like, but it's not one I like, or wish to praise. To have a platform where you pay and still get ads, unless you pay more is really greedy.

Also, I wish to point out that while you personally might save money with multiple streaming services, not everyone will, or would. Myself for example would not be able to afford the trend of everyone moving to their own streaming platforms, same with exclusivity of games, and anything that divides an audiance. The result will be a rise in priacy, it will be the only way people can keep watching things they want to see, that or wait for Blu-Ray/DVDs, which means they miss out on release.

The motivation is not to the end user, it's the dollar. Personally speaking, I do prefer more customer focused business, obviously they still need to make a profit, but they don't need to be greedy about it. Look at CD Projekt Red, they sell their games on GOG as well, making them DRM free.

[Bridger]

I know it's different in every country, which is why I think there is this disconnect between how people feel about the "pay wall". Even in the US, every region operates Cable services differently. Broadcast networks are free however depending on where you live will depend on which networks can get "over the air". For example, where I live the only channels I could get clearly using a digital antenna are NBC and ABC. Every other channel is fuzzy and unwatchable.

How the hell is the infrastructure laid-out in the US, I get everything over Satellite.

[Rellimie]

I wouldn't personally admire them from a business perspective, their platform is greed driven, not customer driven, which is fine if that's the sort of business model you like, but it's not one I like, or wish to praise. To have a platform where you pay and still get ads, unless you pay more is really greedy.

Also, I wish to point out that while you personally might save money with multiple streaming services, not everyone will, or would. Myself for example would not be able to afford the trend of everyone moving to their own streaming platforms, same with exclusivity of games, and anything that divides an audiance. The result will be a rise in priacy, it will be the only way people can keep watching things they want to see, that or wait for Blu-Ray/DVDs, which means they miss out on release.

The motivation is not to the end user, it's the dollar. Personally speaking, I do prefer more customer focused business, obviously they still need to make a profit, but they don't need to be greedy about it. Look at CD Projekt Red, they sell their games on GOG as well, making them DRM free.

Nothing in the business world is truly customer driven....it's capitalism, aka profit driven. Profits are king regardless if we agree with that philosophy or not. Add to that a publicly traded company, then the need for profits are amplified.

To be clear though, I was stated that from a business perspective for the purpose of understanding why they are doing what they do. From a personal perspective, everything being free would be wonderful

The cable vs streaming breakdown I provided was for my situation. I do understand that everyone's situation is different. For people in a similar situation as me I hope it helps put things in perspective.

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How the hell is the infrastructure laid-out in the US, I get everything over Satellite.

Satellite TV and Internet is an option however it’s just as expensive as cable here.

The infrastructure in the US is in deplorable conditions overall. I'm not just talking about broadband (we don't even have 100% broadband access in this country), the roads, bridges, dams, electrical grid, water service, sewer service (not available in all areas), heating and gas services....it's all bad and has been neglected for decades.

Our country makes very little investment into it's infrastructure and it is becoming very frustrating. I live in an area with hundreds of bridges and almost all of them have been graded unsafe. With a major labor shortage and massive debt it was reported it will take 130 years to get them repaired or replaced with the current rate that they approve/budget projects.

[WelshAvenger]

Haha, I normally don't like to do that but I was having a very similar conversation on Reddit and when I gave a response about admiring them from a business perspective I got crushed with the "who are you, what do you know, blah blah blah" followed by a flood of down votes; you know, typical Reddit stuff. Hoping that throwing some background in there would give the comment some context.

Firstly, kudos on the Masters. Secondly, I didn't think of it as a flex but I can see how it could have come across as that, the internet is rubbish when trying to convey tone. I always go into a conversation assuming that the person I'm talking to may know more than me and I'm happy to be educated by those who do.

[Rellimie]

Firstly, kudos on the Masters. Secondly, I didn't think of it as a flex but I can see how it could have come across as that, the internet is rubbish when trying to convey tone. I always go into a conversation assuming that the person I'm talking to may know more than me and I'm happy to be educated by those who do.

The internet can be rough. I sometimes forget that the person I am talking to does not know me. When I have conversations at work we are all well aware of our backgrounds and expertise; so when I speak on the internet sometimes I talk/write as if I were talking to someone I see everyday. They have no context.

That being said, most people know more than me lol

[Mack]

As a someone who holds a Masters Degree in Business and a business owner themselves, I admire how CBS was able to get this off the ground and their forethought to establish a streaming service at all.

I mean that's again just a preference.

As someone who holds a Masters Degree in Marketing & Business Administration in International Markets, I think it's a REALLY bad idea with how everyone wanting a 'piece of the Netflix market's. It's called market saturation. If anything this is getting over saturated.

Netflix, one place multiple genres. Amazon coming up to give competition and keep Netflix was good. But now on a global scale almost everyone is coming up with this streaming model. I'm not talking just America here. Many countries have their own services. This is important because many countries do still access international sitcoms and shows easily from their cables.

CBS and Disney are really mucking it up and they have the revenue to 'sell in loss at first to build reputation' in hopes that in long run it will profit. With so much saturation with Streaming Wervices right now they will regret it, maybe they won't fail but definitely not reach their expected target values.

Target audience is infact the average Joe and you don't need an MBA to find out if they like paying for multiple services at this point of time (or heck can even afford to pay for multiple services). Especially when you started streaming a show on a service they were already on in the first place.


In case of CBS, it's bloody exploitation. Pay for limited ads now? Lol.
I can afford it and I won't purchase it. They need to re-think their model.



Yes, it was good to bring the market Netflix operated on from Monopoly to Oligopoly. But now it's just saturated without perfect competition because frankly, no one is exactly offering cheaper products. Or for that matter, no one is as diverse as Netflix and Amazon. No elasticity.

It baffles me how now days corporates don't do some basic consumer insight research.

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EDIT:
At this rate of saturation I only think that streaming services will undergo a revolution similar to how satellite TV services such as OSN did. Al carte channels. In case of streaming services I think perhaps it will be ala carte show packaging as a viable option if this saturation just keeps increasing.

[Rellimie]

I mean that's again just a preference.

As someone who holds a Masters Degree in Marketing & Business Administration in International Markets, I think it's a REALLY bad idea with how everyone wanting a 'piece of the Netflix market's. It's called market saturation. If anything this is getting over saturated.

Netflix, one place multiple genres. Amazon coming up to give competition and keep Netflix was good. But now on a global scale almost everyone is coming up with this streaming model. I'm not talking just America here. Many countries have their own services. This is important because many countries do still access international sitcoms and shows easily from their cables.

CBS and Disney are really mucking it up and they have the revenue to 'sell in loss at first to build reputation' in hopes that in long run it will profit. With so much saturation with Streaming Wervices right now they will regret it, maybe they won't fail but definitely not reach their expected target values.

Target audience is infact the average Joe and you don't need an MBA to find out if they like paying for multiple services at this point of time (or heck can even afford to pay for multiple services). Especially when you started streaming a show on a service they were already on in the first place.


In case of CBS, it's bloody exploitation. Pay for limited ads now? Lol.
I can afford it and I won't purchase it. They need to re-think their model.



Yes, it was good to bring the market Netflix operated on from Monopoly to Oligopoly. But now it's just saturated without perfect competition because frankly, no one is exactly offering cheaper products. Or for that matter, no one is as diverse as Netflix and Amazon. No elasticity.

It baffles me how now days corporates don't do some basic consumer insight research.

If you want to talk about consumer rights look at this from the perspective that Comcast requires consumers to pay for 250+ channels of service of which I way have watched 10 only because one of the channels I wanted was only available in a higher package.

Streaming allows me to subscribe to just the services I want at less overall cost. People could always go to the true a-la-carte service and just buy individual shows.

As far as the lower cost option is, I'm not sure why people are getting angry at it.

Apples to apples

Netflix - 13
Hulu - 12
CBS AA - 10
Amazon - 12

CBS just happens to offer a lower priced option that has some ads....why is this an issue?

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Now regarding your comment on market saturation, I don't necessarily disagree with you that eventually it could happen but I hardly think we are at that point yet. There is nothing wrong with having options, it is better for the consumer to have options. Competition breeds investment, new original content, better service. To me it's no different than having different car manufacturers:

GM
Ford
Fiat
Toyota
Honda
Subaru
BMW
Volvo
Mercedes
Audi
Lexus
etc....

Why do we have so many when all offer similar options and features while at the same time offering things that are unique to that manufacturer? Is the automobile market saturated? I've seen arguments both ways. However as they all compete with each other the cars are getting better and better, better efficiency, more technology, higher quality, etc...

[Three of Seven]

Why do we have so many when all offer similar options and features while at the same time offering things that are unique to that manufacturer? Is the automobile market saturated? I've seen arguments both ways. However as they all compete with each other the cars are getting better and better, better efficiency, more technology, higher quality, etc...

I mean, I only have a BSc in Internet and Business Technologies, but even I can see that comparing cars is not the same in terms of the market! A car can drive on any road, regardless of make. But streaming services don't allow you to watch the same thing on all of them, I wouldn't have to buy a different car to drive round my city, to go to London, and to go to Glasgow, no I could just use one car!

Where for streaming, if you want to watch Star Trek: Discovery, you can only use one platform, maybe I want to watch Discovery, but I also want to watch Cooking with Jeff Amazon Exclusive, now I need two platforms. This would be like buying two cars to go to different locations.

CBS just happens to offer a lower priced option that has some ads....why is this an issue?

To answer this is simple, you are paying to be advertised to, it'd be like buying an extension from Google to block Google Ads, but every so often, they show you an ad anyway on YouTube.

[Mack]

To be fair, typing up my previous post took time on my phone from the point it was posted. Since then I've caught up with other replies.

I'm looking at it from International perspective and not America per say. In your case I do agree it sounds better, but I also assume you're in an income range in America where you are also A-okay doing this. I know that when it comes to incomes unless you're really in a business like yourself, it's a struggle for the common man/woman. (This is a conversation I've been having with a lot of the Lyft drivers I've been commuting with!)

For me it's same like Bridger. We get satellite in Dubai and it's cheap. I honestly just started using Netflix since everyone spoke about it but later kept it since some of my shows were still with me in my pocket while travelling while also giving me so many other genre options. I'm not even looking to subscribe to something else.

I wouldn't use cars same as streaming services for analogy. In case of cars, there is elasticity. We can't compare any two streaming services because CBS is not providing all the shows as Netflix. In terms of pricing though, I feel as if CBS is asking to sell me a car without tyres at one price and with tyres for another - when I already have a full car with all technology pack from Netflix.

[Rellimie]

I mean, I only have a BSc in Internet and Business Technologies, but even I can see that comparing cars is not the same in terms of the market! A car can drive on any road, regardless of make. But streaming services don't allow you to watch the same thing on all of them, I wouldn't have to buy a different car to drive round my city, to go to London, and to go to Glasgow, no I could just use one car!

Where for streaming, if you want to watch Star Trek: Discovery, you can only use one platform, maybe I want to watch Discovery, but I also want to watch Cooking with Jeff Amazon Exclusive, now I need two platforms. This would be like buying two cars to go to different locations.



To answer this is simple, you are paying to be advertised to, it'd be like buying an extension from Google to block Google Ads, but every so often, they show you an ad anyway on YouTube.

I wasn't using cars as an example with the idea of they all drive on roads.

Right now I am in the market for a new truck. I want Apple Carplay, Adaptive Cruise Control, Remote start via Cellular, a high towing rating, and an oversized fuel tank

Toyota Tundra - Oversized fuel tank, high tow rating, adaptive cruiser - no remote start via cellular, no apple carplay
GMC Sierra - remote start via cellular, apple carplay, high tow rating - no oversized fuel tank, no adaptive cruise

Now I'm picking and choosing options (services) based on which platform (GM or Toyota) can provide them but neither provides everything I want. Much the same way we choose a streaming platform based on what gives us the most content that we want.

[Mack]

But you can get carplay for Tundra. Sure not from Toyota itself but you have ways to get it in. There's also an option to get both Android and Apple carplay together in your Tundra if you use both Android and iOS like me.

[Rellimie]

To be fair, typing up my previous post took time on my phone from the point it was posted. Since then I've caught up with other replies.

I'm looking at it from International perspective and not America per say. In your case I do agree it sounds better, but I also assume you're in an income range in America where you are also A-okay doing this. I know that when it comes to incomes unless you're really in a business like yourself, it's a struggle for the common man/woman. (This is a conversation I've been having with a lot of the Lyft drivers I've been commuting with!)

For me it's same like Bridger. We get satellite in Dubai and it's cheap. I honestly just started using Netflix since everyone spoke about it but later kept it since some of my shows were still with me in my pocket while travelling while also giving me so many other genre options. I'm not even looking to subscribe to something else.

I wouldn't use cars same as streaming services for analogy. In case of cars, there is elasticity. We can compat two streaming services because CBS is not providing all the shows As Netflix. In terms of pricing though, I feel as if CBS is asking to sell me a car without tyres at one price and with tyres for another - when I already have a full car with all technology pack from Netflix.

I agree and that is why I said earlier, my opinions are really based around my situation and mine alone. I live in the US and I'm middle class. I have no children which allows for some additional opportunities. I do get that every country, person, and situation is different and everyone should have a very individual perspective about all of this. What works for me doesn't work for you and vice-versa.

In a perfect world (Earth 2364+) we can just go to a holodeck and enjoy any store we like, replicate any need we have, and just enjoy reading a good book just living long and prosper without any talk of this income hogwash

PS - The car analogy came up because I am literally car shipping while we have this talk LOL

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But you can get carplay for Tundra. Sure not from Toyota itself but you have ways to get it in. There's also an option to get both Android and Apple carplay together in your Tundra if you use both Android and iOS like me.

For extra money. Which by the way, you can get CBS AA through Amazon Prime...for extra money.

[Mack]

I agree and that is why I said earlier, my opinions are really based around my situation and mine alone. I live in the US and I'm middle class. I have no children which allows for some additional opportunities. I do get that every country, person, and situation is different and everyone should have a very individual perspective about all of this. What works for me doesn't work for you and vice-versa.

Fair enough, but CBS is a multinational corporation targeting internationally. Their definitely are gaps in their proposition and value they provide.

PS - The car analogy came up because I am literally car shipping while we have this talk LOL

I'd help you out but I'm a sedan guy myself. You seem to be into 4x4s

For extra money. Which by the way, you can get CBS AA through Amazon Prime...for extra money.

Even Amazon doesn't offer all that Netflix has. Nor vice versa! Still can't club em! But you are looking for a Sony enabled Android+Apple Carplay set which you should be able to just buy off Amazon if you're interested and have it fitted.

[LogicalLeopard]

The story is quite differently for me in Austria/Germany, most TV Channels are for free except the governmental ones and Sky and than we have the Streamers mostly Amazon and Netflix.


That would be to much hassle for me I just download them and done, and the Austrian Law protects me as long as I don't share what I download the uploader is responsible.

Eh, it would be too much hassle for me to download things separately. I like being able to sit in front of a TV and find something to watch, using the convenient user interface to browse. I dont think I would download TV programs or movies. I got over that in the days of DotCommunism during the late 90's and early 2000's when everything was free and the only problem you'd risk was digitally transmitted diseases. *L*

I dont watch a lot of TV at all. My wife watches less. My kids are products of today, where they are just as likely to watch YouTube as they are to watch an actual television show. Streaming comes in handy when we want to watch something as a family, or want the kids to watch something more wholesome than other kids playing with toys on YouTube.

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I wouldn't personally admire them from a business perspective, their platform is greed driven, not customer driven, which is fine if that's the sort of business model you like, but it's not one I like, or wish to praise. To have a platform where you pay and still get ads, unless you pay more is really greedy.

Isnt all business greed driven though? "Customer driven" is only a way to get more customers, so that's greed driven too. The goal of a business is to make profit for the shareholders or owners, right? That's the only thing. All of these people are in the business of making money. We cant forget that.

So of course they're going to make you pay and still watch ads, because you'll do it. And if you dont want to do it, you pay more. It's kind of like paying a buck and a half for a 2 liter of Pepsi and paying two bucks for a 20 ounce. You pay for convenience.

Some of this probably helps, though. I dont know if 6.99 is going to give us the production values we see on Star Trek Discovery. That plus commercials will. It's like it sucks that you get ripped off at he concession stand in a movie theater, but they're getting ripped off by the movie industry, because they dont make a lot of profit off the actual movie.

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The internet can be rough. I sometimes forget that the person I am talking to does not know me. When I have conversations at work we are all well aware of our backgrounds and expertise; so when I speak on the internet sometimes I talk/write as if I were talking to someone I see everyday. They have no context.

That being said, most people know more than me lol

The internet was unforgiving. The "Weird flex, but Ok" comment was hilarious, but I totally understand why you did it. That's the bad part about the internet though - they will demand your credentials, and then as soon as they see them, they will ignore them. *L* But you're right about CBS AA. I dont have a business degree, but even I saw that it was a pretty savvy move to put themselves out there and try their hand. It's still afloat, and seems to be doing pretty well, so in the short run, it does seem wise.

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How the hell is the infrastructure laid-out in the US, I get everything over Satellite.

I dunno, I think a lot of places have cable coverage, and the cable is strung up on the telephone poles, I believe. In my town they are.

[Sul-Matuul]

I'd imagine an issue with TV in the US is the sheer size of the place; it's hard to get a signal from one end to the other without a massive network of transmitters. So cable makes more sense I guess as the poles are already there for phone lines.

In the UK we're such a small country size wise it's never an issue of not being able to get coverage (unless you're really remote, or if it's a new service that's not in your area like superfast broadband).
We also have to pay for a TV licence which is £155 a year I think; you can't watch TV without one (legally at least!). It gives you basic channels beamed in via aerial. There's also Freeview which is a tonne of digital channels using the same network, and and alternative version with the same content called Freesat using satellites. You can even get FreesatHD which gives HD channels free too.
That's a lot of TV to look at before even paying for anything extra outside of the legal minimum.

But if you want the new stuff and mainstream things like Discovery, GoT, Westworld...well then you need to fork out more to get Netflix, Amazon Prime. Sky (though you can get a lot of this cheaper via NowTV).

It's not too bad here right now. I mean Netflix has a fair;y decent volume of shows and movies. Amazon Prime is included with their sub for next day free delivery, so it's worth it for that imo.
And NowTV can be dropped in/out of on a monthly basis as there's no fixed sub to it.
But tbh if the number of streaming services gets any more I can see people just ignoring them. Too much extra cost for a minimal return.