This week on TechHive: A word of warning on IPTV
Every so often, readers will ask me about some streaming service that sounds too good to be true.
These so-called “IPTV” services claim to offer dozens or even hundreds of cable channels, along with practically any sporting event you can imagine. They tend to cost around $20 per month, far less than popular live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV (which both cost $65 per month). In some cases, they even come pre-loaded on streaming boxes with no extra setup required.
Until now, I’ve mostly avoided writing about these services, which, if you haven’t guessed, are flagrant examples of media piracy. I’m wary of condoning potentially illegal activity and don’t have much interest in reviewing specific IPTV services in depth.
But because the topic comes up with such regularity—especially as the cost of live sports spirals out of control—I think it’s worth addressing. Yes, these services can save you more money than legitimate cord-cutting options, but they also have significant downsides beyond the obvious legal risks and moral quandaries. Before going down that path, be aware of the potential pitfalls. Read the full column on TechHive.
Weekly rewind
NewsOn’s new look: NewsOn, a free streaming service that carries the local news from more than 275 stations across the United States, says it’s completed a redesign of its apps across all platforms, including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, and Android. The new look includes easier access to favorite stations and a breaking news banner for stories that are getting national attention. The service is also finally available on the web via newson.us.
NewsOn has always felt like a weirdly well-kept secret in the cord cutting world, as it offers access to local news that might otherwise require an antenna, a Locast subscription, or a big TV bundle. I’m glad the service is showing signs of life, even if it’s just one of many ways you can watch the news without cable.
Universal’s movie plans: NBCUniversal is trying to have its cake and eat it too with its post-theatrical plans for new movies. Starting in 2022, new Universal films will land on Peacock 120 days after their theatrical debut, where they’ll stay for four months. (HBO gets those films currently.) Then, they’ll head over to Amazon Prime for 10 months before going back to Peacock for another four months. It’s unclear where they’ll go after that.
I’m not well-versed enough in post-theatrical release windows to say whether this carving up of rights is normal, though it does seem odd for a company that claims it wants to take Peacock more seriously. You don’t see Netflix shipping its original films off to other streaming services for a quick buck, because Netflix realizes the value of having an ever-growing catalog.
Not that I’m complaining. If you’re a Prime subscriber who wants to watch Universal films like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom after they leave theaters, just remember that you eventually won’t need a Peacock subscription to get them.
More catch-up
- Amazon’s reasons for acquiring MGM seem to be at odds with what MGM wants.
- Having problems with Spectrum’s Roku app? Whatever you do, don’t uninstall it.
- Matthew Keys has a nice interview with Philo’s CEO.
- Forget Netflix and Disney; streaming’s bitterest rivalry might be between two yet-to-launch weather channels.
Save more money
MLB TV subscriptions are currently on sale if you want to watch out-of-market games for the second half of the season. For coverage of all teams, the price is $45, or you can pay $35 for a single team of your choosing. MLB says that’s a 50% discount, though I imagine the regular price will also come down a bit after the All-Star break.
Meanwhile, Britbox is offering 40% off annual subscriptions to its British TV streaming service, bringing the price to $39 for the first year instead of the usual $70. The catch is that it’s only available to new and returning subscribers, not current ones. Yet another reason the patient approach to cord cutting pays off.
Thanks for reading!
This week’s TechHive column falls into one of my favorite genres: Things I can simply link to in response to frequently-asked questions. I’m always looking for ways to expand this category, so send me your most pressing cord-cutting questions and comments by replying to this email.
Until next week,
Jared