Tag Archives: dish

Google Report For ‘Unplugged’ YouTube Service Follows Hulu Splash

YouTube, the video website of Alphabet ( GOOGL )-Google, aims to roll out a new paid subscription service called “Unplugged” that would offer customers a bundle of cable TV channels streamed over the Internet, says a report. The Bloomberg report comes after Hulu on Monday disclosed plans to stream live content from two of its parents, 21 st Century Fox ( FOXA ) and Walt Disney ( DIS ). Comcast ( CMCSA ), the third co-owner of Hulu and owner of NBC Universal, was not included in the initial plans.  CBS ( CBS ) has its own stand-alone Web service to consumers. The Bloomberg “Unplugged” report notes that Google’s YouTube has not secured programming rights for the online video service. Speculation over YouTube “Unplugged” also comes amid a firefight over federal regulators’ proposal to open up the pay TV set-top box market to more competition. Comcast, AT&T ( T ) and others object to the Federal Communications Commission’s set-top box proposal . They’ve charged that it might favor Google. The FCC says that only pay TV subscribers will gain access to programming, and that copyright protections will be preserved. Google, critics say, aims to swap its own advertising for the local ads sold by cable TV companies. Fox, Disney, CBS and Time Warner ( TWX ) have objected to the FCC proposal. According to the Bloomberg “Unplugged” report, YouTube has overhauled its technical architecture for the live product, slated to arrive as soon as 2017. Google last month introduced YouTube Red, which costs $10 monthly. It features movies, original content and other fare. Fox, Comcast-NBCU and CBS agreed to provide YouTube Red with content, while Disney did not. Hulu competes with  Netflix ( NFLX ) and  Amazon.com ( AMZN ) in the subscription video-on-demand sector. Dish Network ( DISH ) offers Sling TV, and has been gaining more content partners, including Fox.

T-Mobile Could Gain From Spectrum Flood, But Not If Auction Drags On

T-Mobile US ( TMUS ) stands to gain from the availability of more radio spectrum than expected in a government auction of airwaves, though it’s not good for the wireless communications provider if the auction drags on, says a Goldman Sachs report. T-Mobile says it could spend up to $10 billion in the auction. Other bidders are expected to be AT&T ( T ), Verizon Communications ( VZ ) and cable TV firm Comcast ( CMCSA ). The complex “Broadcast Incentive Auction,” which started March 29, is expected to free up airwaves now owned by local TV stations. The Federal Communications Commission said Friday as much as 100 MHz of spectrum may be available for bidders in most U.S. markets. About 70 MHz had been forecast. The next step in the auction involves setting initial prices for the airwaves in specific cities. “While broadcasters will only sell if they get their desired prices, a large spectrum supply may yield attractive prices for wireless carriers,” Brett Feldman, a Goldman Sachs analyst, said in a report. “We view this as most positive for T-Mobile, which is looking to bolster its thin low-band spectrum position in this auction so it can provide coverage that is more competitive with AT&T’s and Verizon’s.” UBS analyst John Hodulik had a similar view. “Greater spectrum availability is a positive for T-Mobile, given its low-band needs and Comcast,” Hodulik said in a report. Shares in T-Mobile, controlled by Deutsche Telekom ( DTEGY ), are about even in 2016. T-Mobile stock edged down 0.4% in the stock market today . Analysts say one overhang on shares in Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile is how much they may spend in the auction. Another view is that telecom mergers and acquisitions are on hold until the auction is over. While the auction has been expected to be over in the September quarter, it may drag on until the fourth quarter. That would be a negative for “ Dish Network ( DISH ) and T-Mobile, since many investors believe that their strategic options will be limited until the auction concludes,” said Feldman. Citigroup recently said Dish Network, which has amassed some 77 MHz of radio spectrum, could resume talks with Verizon over a possible sale after the auction ends.

Hulu Reveals Fast Subscriber Growth, Live-TV Streaming Plans

Internet TV service Hulu announced Wednesday that it will reach 12 million subscribers in the U.S. this month, up 30% from a year ago. It also confirmed media reports that it plans to offer a live-TV service in 2017 to complement its on-demand video service. Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins made the announcements at an upfront event in New York City for advertisers. Hopkins said the live-TV service will offer news, sports and entertainment from broadcast and cable TV, but it did not detail content and pricing, TechCrunch reported . “We’re going to fuse the best of linear television and on-demand in a deeply personalized experience optimized for the contemporary, always-connected television fan,” Hopkins said. Hulu’s live-TV service is targeted at cord cutters and cord nevers — those consumers who don’t subscribe to traditional pay-TV services but might be interested in a lower-cost, “skinny bundle” of TV channels. Hulu is looking to charge about $40 a month for the live TV package, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday . It would compete with other live-TV streaming services, such as Dish Network ‘s ( DISH ) Sling TV and Sony ‘s ( SNE ) PlayStation Vue. Dish stock was down 2%, above 46, and Sony’s U.S.-listed shares were down nearly 2%, below 24, in early afternoon trading on the stock market today . Hulu is co-owned by Walt Disney ( DIS ), Comcast ’s ( CMCSA ) NBCUniversal and 21st Century Fox ( FOXA ). Disney also owns ABC, ESPN and Disney Channel; Comcast owns NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Syfy and USA; and 21st Century Fox owns Fox, Fox News, FX and Fox’s sports channels. Hulu competes with Netflix ( NFLX ) and Amazon.com ( AMZN ) in the subscription video-on-demand sector. Like its rivals, Hulu has been increasing its original programming, most recently with shows such as “11.22.63” and “The Path.”