YTTV and the NCAAs

[cujaysfan]

YouTube is playing a dangerous game here.

Have been a longtime YTTV guy since Sony's Vue went away. I've been happy (tolerant probably more accurate) enough with YT despite it going from $50 to now $83. But if they lose Paramount channels - which will affect the NCAAs broadcast - I'm out.

Usually these things get fixed pretty quickly - but man is it annoying. CBS Sportsline is a channel that would be lost - and at least we don't have anymore games there this season after this weeks UConn game. I'm sure there are some BE games I would watch though.

[TrueBlueJay]

YouTube is playing a dangerous game here.

Have been a longtime YTTV guy since Sony's Vue went away. I've been happy (tolerant probably more accurate) enough with YT despite it going from $50 to now $83. But if they lose Paramount channels - which will affect the NCAAs broadcast - I'm out.

Usually these things get fixed pretty quickly - but man is it annoying. CBS Sportsline is a channel that would be lost - and at least we don't have anymore games there this season after this weeks UConn game. I'm sure there are some BE games I would watch though.

I was with Vue and went to TBTV too - my exact sentiments.

[WBR Tom]

Yeah, we were all griping about that on the WBR group chat last night too when that email went out -- several of us are YouTube TV customers. We were making contingency plans because if this drags out another month YTTV is going to have to go, as much as I hate to say it (because I'm a big fan).

My understanding is that the NCAA Tourney games on Turner's networks (TBS, TNT, and TruTV) aren't affected. Those are not Paramount networks (they're owned by WBD now). It would just be the games that get slotted on CBS proper. But that's still an unacceptable loss for hoops fans (and an awfully big gamble that the Jays' games won't end up there).

I just can't imagine this drags out that long -- between the NCAAT for three weeks in March followed by the Masters, sports fans will cancel en masse. (Not to mention families with little kids losing Nick and Nick Jr -- I personally can't wait for the meltdown the next time my four year old wants to watch Paw Patrol or Blaze & The Monster Machines. That's gonna be FUN.)

[blueblood]

Help me out here accountants. Google search says YTTV had 5.8 billion in core revenue in 2023 and is expected to have 10 billion per year by 2026. Income in 2024 is at 200 million and 600 million by 2026. Is that a vey high return on investment? I honestly don't know but JHC that is a hell of a lot of revenue that didn't exist 5 years ago.

I still feel that for what I pay its a bargain compared to anything else available. I upgraded to 4k and now run my house and office through the same account. I can and do have over 20 tvs streaming on different shows all at once. Might add some neighbors and sublet my passwords. Hopefully they are not reading this because thats one hell of a loophole.

When is the last time one of these threats ever lasted? Not to mention in the streaming world you can cancel and go a different route as fast as you can enter a credit card number. Without penalty. So much a worry about nothing.

[Jays26]

Blueblood....

What kind of mansion you live in?

When you say you have 20 TV's on at once. I assume they are all on your home network because the way mine works is inside my home i have unlimited streams but outside it's only 3. Any more than that and people start getting knocked off.

[WBR Tom]

Sometimes these things do drag out -- streamers in particular have drawn a harder line than cable companies used to.

YTTV's dispute with MLB Network has lasted 2+ years; that network still isn't back. Their contract with Sinclair over the regional sports networks has been off for 3+ years.

Fubo has been in litigation with Turner/WBD for years, and TBS/TNT haven't been carried as a result.

Anyway, hopefully they can come to an agreement.

[blueblood]

Blueblood....

What kind of mansion you live in?

When you say you have 20 TV's on at once. I assume they are all on your home network because the way mine works is inside my home i have unlimited streams but outside it's only 3. Any more than that and people start getting knocked off.

I'm telling you its a loophole. 4k gives you "unlimited streams". For $9.90 a month! My house has a lot of tvs but normally 3-6 on at once. My office however has I think 14 tvs. Totally different networks. All on at once. All different channels. Then there is the ability to use it when you travel. On my phone, on my laptop, on the tv in an airbnb. I even used it on a cruise last fall. What a world.

[jays34]

They're pretty sneaky with it too. I'm on the regular non-mansion plan and when that 4th TV clicks on, you get a message that says you've reached your streaming limit. Which is technically true, but also a bit misleading b/c it makes it appear that you've gone over your streaming limit. You just have to hit cancel on the upgrade option and you're back in business. But I'm sure they've caught more than a few people that think they have to upgrade to keep watching in that moment.

[LJay]

Sooooo, we have YTTV and haven’t turned on the TV until now (6PM on Friday) and I still have CBS. Was this issue avoided?

[jaykorver]

Sooooo, we have YTTV and haven’t turned on the TV until now (6PM on Friday) and I still have CBS. Was this issue avoided?

They reached a "short-term extension" while they continue further negotiations, but they didn't provide any further details on how long that extension is .