[opendtv] Ars Technica: Comcast to stop blocking HBO Go and Showtime on Roku streaming devices
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 23:36:37 +0000
Here's more evidence of non-neutral behavior, for Craig's continued education.
Some direct quotes:
"The Roku/Comcast problem illustrated how tying cable TV subscriptions to
online streaming services can harm consumers. In a Roku filing in the FCC's net
neutrality proceeding, the company argued that authentication systems run by
Internet service providers can be used to pick and choose which hardware
platforms customers may use to access streaming services. ISPs could demand
payment from operators of third-party streaming platforms in exchange for not
blocking content, the filing suggests."
Even Roku seems to be able to grasp that granting access to just one hardware
platform does not constitute net neutrality.
"We asked Roku if it had to pay Comcast to complete this latest deal. The
company responded, 'Roku doesn't disclose details of our partner agreements.'
Roku posted a blog today saying that Comcast customers can activate HBO GO and
Showtime on Roku immediately.
"Roku also described Comcast's previous refusal to authenticate HBO Go and
Showtime Anytime in an August 25 filing on the Comcast/Time Warner Cable
merger."
So Craig, do you think that under a Title II regime, these shenanigans would be
permitted? And do you continue to believe that as long as Apple had access,
that's all that should matter?
All of these are proof that broadband ISPs are *not* acting as neutral pipes,
and that therefore Title II, or something similar to it, is necessary. If these
shenanigans were not taking place, there wouldn't have been such an uproar
about all of this.
Bert
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http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/12/comcast-to-stop-blocking-hbo-go-and-showtime-on-roku-streaming-devices/
Comcast to stop blocking HBO Go and Showtime on Roku streaming devices
Roku complained that ISPs could demand payment to un-block streaming services.
by Jon Brodkin - Dec 16, 2014 11:23am EST
Comcast has agreed to let its customers stream HBO and Showtime on Roku devices.
It wasn't clear why Comcast blocked the HBO and Showtime apps on Roku boxes
while allowing them on other hardware, such as the Apple TV. Roku complained
about the situation to the Federal Communications Commission and was recently
able to wring an agreement out of Comcast.
Ater several months of negotiations, "Roku is pleased to inform the Commission
that effective November 25, 2014, Roku and Comcast entered into an agreement
pursuant to which Comcast has, among other things, agreed to authenticate the
HBO GO and Showtime Anytime apps on Roku video streaming devices for Comcast's
subscribers whose subscriptions entitle them to access the content and services
made available through such apps," Roku wrote in an FCC filing yesterday. The
filing was submitted for the FCC's proceeding on Comcast's proposed purchase of
Time Warner Cable and its proceeding on net neutrality rules.
The Roku/Comcast problem illustrated how tying cable TV subscriptions to online
streaming services can harm consumers. In a Roku filing in the FCC's net
neutrality proceeding, the company argued that authentication systems run by
Internet service providers can be used to pick and choose which hardware
platforms customers may use to access streaming services. ISPs could demand
payment from operators of third-party streaming platforms in exchange for not
blocking content, the filing suggests.
"Rather than prioritizing platform support by customer interest or software
compatibility, MVPDs [multichannel video programming distributors] can use
their power of authentication to favor one streaming platform over another. A
large and powerful MVPD may use this leverage in negotiations with content
providers or operators of streaming platforms, ultimately favoring parties that
can either afford to pay for the privilege of authentication, or have other
business leverage that can be used as a counterweight to discriminatory
authentication," Roku wrote. "Additionally, MVPDs with affiliated ISPs can
abuse their power over authentication by choosing to authenticate only their
own or affiliated offerings."
We asked Roku if it had to pay Comcast to complete this latest deal. The
company responded, "Roku doesn't disclose details of our partner agreements."
Roku posted a blog today saying that Comcast customers can activate HBO GO and
Showtime on Roku immediately.
Roku also described Comcast's previous refusal to authenticate HBO Go and
Showtime Anytime in an August 25 filing on the Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger.
"While Time-Warner has authenticated the HBO Go app and the Showtime Anytime
app on Roku's platform, Comcast has not authenticated either app," Roku wrote.
"Moreover, Time-Warner executives have announced that they 'will be knocking
down some of the current obstacles... so that customers can have nothing but a
Roku device or an Xbox and get their video experience.' Comcast has gone the
other way, prioritizing its Xfinity platform, which competes with third party
streaming platforms by providing streaming video content on demand."
We've asked Comcast why it blocked HBO Go and Showtime on Roku, and for more
information on the new agreement with Roku, but haven't heard back yet.
This isn't the end of streaming troubles for Comcast subscribers. In a story
titled, "HBO Go Comes to Amazon Fire TV (Unless You Have Comcast)," DSLReports
wrote today, "HBO Go this week announced that the streaming service has been
made available to Amazon Fire TV owners today, with Fire Stick customers having
access to the app sometime in the Spring. Of course if you head to activate
your device, you'll find that Comcast and Charter aren't supported. Why the
companies are blocking a relatively uncomplicated app and authentication
service isn't clear. Amazon says that negotiations are ongoing."
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