[opendtv] Re: Cablevision to offer HBO Now streaming service - MarketWatch

  • From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2015 01:18:49 +0000

Craig Birkmaier wrote:

> Wrong. ISPs are neutral.

There goes Craig again, with his unsubstantiated, inflexible comments. We know 
that's not true, Craig. At least, not always. I posted this article already:

http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/12/comcast-to-stop-blocking-hbo-go-and-showtime-on-roku-streaming-devices/

I'll grant that HBO Go is not HBO Now, and that therefore the case for net 
neutrality is much more tenuous, IMO. Still, the history of MVPDs (taking the 
ISP role now) is clear -- one of non-neutrality, one of proprietary boxes and 
walled gardens. It's in their DNA. So, that Ars Technica story is unsurprising.

> Content owners may not be, especially when the block some devices
> that can be used to stream their service.

Content owners don't have any "net neutrality" mandate placed on them. They own 
the content.

BUT

I always look at "natural self-regulating mechanisms," before suggesting to 
impose artificial ones. And content owners, by nature, would never want to 
limit who can consume their content. So it does not usually behoove them to 
block any device from access, except under quite unusual circumstances. Plus, 
they also know that there are plenty of OTHER content owners out there, who can 
provide a viable alternative to consumers, if they get too greedy.

On the other hand, middlemen, especially when they are "the only game in town" 
for a particular service, e.g. broadband providers, definitely do benefit 
imposing limits.

That's the point.

Bert

 
 
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