[opendtv] Re: Distribution outside of "the bundle"
- From: Albert Manfredi <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2014 18:33:58 -0500
Craig wrote:
> No Bert, this exclusive content is only available on a parallel pipe on a
> delayed basis, and at an elevated price, while it is being made available to
> the extended basic subscribers.
Already covered that. "Delayed basis," in cases like this, has almost no
meaning. It is being made available "on demand," which by definition will
include some delay. It's not being made available, for instance, after the
season ends.
> Out of context. You are correct that the content owners are making fresh
> content available to more middlemen, something we have discussed several time
> recently. They now understand the value of the delayed and catch-up market
> segments.
Some progress. Good. Except that you miss the mark when you say "catch up."
That implies that the "normal" viewing mode is live by appointment. And that is
a silly pretense anymore, as we all know. Even if the majority still watch TV
that way, mostly out of "momentum," we all know that this is changing over to
VOD as being commonplace, to say the least.
> You WILL NOT see current season shows on these VOD
> services, except for the original content that Netflix and Amazon are
> financing.
So, when Amazon carries the CURRENT SEASON of The Walking Dead, every episode,
right after it has aired on the cable broadcast channel, what do you call that?
> This is not a new phenomenon.
Carrying content that was previously exclusive to "the bundle," on demand,
independent of MVPD subscription, independent of MVPD bundling restrictions,
essentially undelayed, episode by episode, is not a new phenomenon? When was it
done this way 10 years ago?
> The business model and perceived value of the extended basic bundle is a
> different market
> than selling TV shows and movies.
Once again, Craig shows a lack of understanding of the market.
"Business models," Craig, are an artifact, a guess, made by the supply side
only, to get financing for their venture. Business models make guesses about
the demand side. As technology changes, Craig, business models may or may not
remain valid.
The MVPD bundle business model was invented at a time when a monopolistic,
one-way only, broadcast only, live stream only, wideband distribution walled
garden was the only game in town, for TV distribution in quantities larger than
what the OTA spectrum could support.
Those days are over. The Internet has recently, in the past 5 years or so, been
able to make that type of distribution not essential anymore. Credibly so, as
capacity of core and edge networks has passed that threshold.
I keep asking you about your precious business model: WHO CARES? I mean that
literally. Who do you think cares?
Only the supply side cares, be that the MVPDs or the congloms, and the congloms
have figured it out by now.
So stop with this mention of "business model," as if it were sacrosanct. Stuff
happens, Craig. Things change. Consumers have been rethinking their "perceived
value," Craig. AMC, CBS and all the main TV networks (their web sites have
gradually changed from weekly schedule "catch up" to more pure VOD), HBO, even
ESPN are taking action.
Bert
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