Skinny and Sportsless

There is a new skinny-bundle streaming service entering the ever-growing crowded field, but this one will be Streaming and Sportsless. With the cord-cutting movement increasing in popularity, many cable TV programmers are hoping an entertainment-only TV bundled service will be the answer.

Cable Networks including Viacom Inc., Discovery Communications, AMC Networks, A+E Networks and Scripps Networks Interactive will be part of this new streaming platform. Plans are for the new service to carry these networks’ channels plus others – filled with a mix of non-fiction and lifestyle programming, children’s shows, and scripted dramas – with subscriptions costing less than $20 a month.

Disney recently announced two new, upcoming Internet-only services, one for entertainment (movies) and the other for sports (new ESPN channel).

streaming and sportsless

“With the “a la carte” availability of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Now and Showtime, cord cutting has become a significant trend. Yet, at the same time, traditional cable and satellite TV packages remain remarkably resilient. The vast majority of households are still opting for the diverse buffet of hundreds of linear channels, on-demand and discounted Internet as part of a broadband package.” – Marc Tayer, Cable TV veteran and author of ‘Televisionaries’

streaming and sportsless

For the Cable Networks, banding together to offer a streaming TV bundle seems like a logical move. The intent is to lure existing pay-TV subscribers to their streaming and sportsless TV bundle. The streaming arena continues to be the ‘it thing’ with new services such as Hulu offering packages of channels for $40 a month or less. It remains to be seen whether subscribers will opt for a sports free option.

Some pay-TV networks like HBO’s “HBO Now” and Showtime’s ‘Showtime Anytime’ currently have stand-alone streaming apps. But, as previously reported by Socially Sparked News, ‘the more channel and service options that crop up, could very well cause an increase in the current pricing of these cord-cutting options.’

To reiterate: long-term, those escalating costs may outweigh the benefits. Isn’t that the very reason cord-cutting caught on in the first place? Cost-savings? — Abbe is SOCIALLY SPARKED™ Tweet to @sosparkednews & @asparks01