[opendtv] Re: Ars Technica: Comcast to stop blocking HBO Go and Showtime on Roku streaming devices
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:59:17 -0400
Thanks for providing a real example of a MVPD blocking a legal Internet
service. I was not aware of this specific issue, but we have discussed device
blocking many times over the years. It appears there is a bit of payola going
on here.
Roku is right to bring their suit, and make the FCC address the device blocking
issue.
Regards
Craig
> On Mar 24, 2015, at 7:36 PM, Manfredi, Albert E
> <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> 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
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> 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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