ATSC 3.0 updates, more free sports on Max
This week on TechHive: ATSC 3.0 is getting better
After years of false starts, ATSC 3.0 is close to delivering on its promises.
The latest standard for broadcast TV, also known as NextGen TV, will be easier to get this year, with several new aftermarket tuners that won’t require you to replace your entire TV. Just as importantly, broadcasters are readying new ATSC 3.0 features that used to be just theoretical, including HDR video, time-shifting, and an impressive take on interactive television.
ATSC 3.0 still has its share of challenges, and existing TVs that only support ATSC 1.0 broadcasts will remain viable for at least a few more years, so there’s no huge rush to upgrade. But if you do invest in NextGen TV hardware, you might soon have more to show for it.
Read the full column on TechHive →
Weekly rewind
Max’s free sports extension: Warner Bros. Discovery is pushing back plans to charge $10 per month extra for live sports on Max. The free preview of Max’s B/R Sports Add-On launched in October, with Warner intending to put up the paywall on February 29. Now, the company is extending the free period for a few month months as it irons out some tech integrations, The Verge reports.
That’s great news for college basketball fans who don’t have a pay TV package, as the free period will now cover the duration of March Madness. Max’s add-on offers every sporting event that would normally air on Warner’s cable channels, including TNT, TBS, and TruTV. Add an (easily obtainable for free) Paramount+ subscription, and you’ll have the entire tournament covered.
Fubo’s price hike: In worse news, Fubo is raising prices by $5 per month. That brings the advertised starting price to $80 per month, though the actual price is at least $92 per month for virtually all customers due to Fubo’s regional sports fees. (Those fees are also increasing by $1 per month across the board.) As a sweetener, Fubo says it’s extending cloud DVR from 1,000 hours to unlimited storage in “the coming weeks.”
We might’ve seen this coming when the company started saying it was more focused on ease of use than value. For cheaper cable bundle replacements—albeit ones without regional sports—look to YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV instead.
More catch-up
- Showtime’s cable channel is now called “Paramount+ with Showtime.”
- Bad news for kids: The Pokemon TV app is shutting down in March.
- Here’s a nice roundup of CES smart TV trends.
- Chromecast with Google TV gets easier pairing with (some) Bluetooth earbuds.
- Super Bowl streaming: HDR on Paramount+, 4K with some TV providers.
Save more money
Don’t have an Apple TV+ subscription already? It’s your last chance to get two months for free. Just redeem the offer through Apple’s website, and make sure to immediately cancel after signing up if you don’t want to be auto-billed at the end.
As always, three-month Apple TV+ trial offers remain available through Best Buy or Target as well. I’ve had luck periodically cycling through them.
Other notable deals:
- DirecTV Stream: Take $25 off the “Choice” package (with regional sports) for two months. New subscribers only.
- The latest Paramount+ codes are JUNE, STREAMNFL, or CARTMAN. Learn how to get it for free.
- See more ways to save on the Cord Cutter Weekly website.
Thanks for reading!
I appreciate y’all bearing with me as I traveled home from CES yesterday. We’ll be back to the regular Friday publishing schedule next week.
Got questions for me in the meantime? Just reply to this email to get in touch.
Until next week,
Jared