All articles tagged with #cord cutting
YouTube TV is rolling out a redesigned mobile Live Guide for Android and iOS that mirrors the TV interface with a denser, cable-like layout: left-aligned channel icons, right-side program bubbles showing titles, times, and progress, a bottom 'Jump to live' button, and long-press previews that reveal episode details and quick actions like add-to-library, reminders, or direct channel navigation.
A survey indicates that 24% of YouTube TV subscribers have canceled or plan to cancel due to the Disney blackout, which has led to frustration over missing key sports content and a potential spike in churn if the dispute continues. Many users are seeking alternative ways to access Disney networks, and the company plans a small credit if the blackout persists, but most feel it won't compensate for the loss of popular channels.
NFL RedZone is offering free access this weekend across various streaming platforms, allowing fans to watch every touchdown without extra cost, as part of a promotion to boost viewership and engagement during the mid-season.
YouTube TV subscribers are currently unable to watch the Georgia-Florida college football game due to the expiration of their contract with Disney/ESPN, with negotiations ongoing for a new deal. Alternatives for viewers include ESPN's own streaming service, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or traditional cable, as the game is scheduled to be broadcast on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
ESPN and ABC channels have been removed from YouTube TV due to a failed negotiation, affecting live sports broadcasts like college football and Monday Night Football, leaving consumers without access to these channels until a resolution is reached.
YouTube TV faces a potential blackout of Disney channels like ABC and ESPN after their distribution agreement expires on October 30, due to disagreements over programming rates and content integration. Negotiations are ongoing, with YouTube TV seeking better terms and Disney resisting certain proposals, including direct access to Disney's streaming services. The outcome will impact approximately 10 million subscribers and highlights ongoing tensions in media distribution.
YouTube TV and NBCUniversal resolved a carriage dispute, highlighting the shifting power dynamics in the TV industry as streaming services like YouTube TV grow rapidly and traditional cable providers lose subscribers. The deal includes direct content ingestion for Peacock on YouTube, signaling a new era of streaming negotiations and the decline of traditional linear TV.
NBC and YouTube TV are nearing a deadline with unresolved negotiations, mainly over YouTube TV's desire to include Peacock programming, risking the loss of NBC channels and popular sports content for subscribers if no agreement is reached.
Disney launched ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming platform, offering various plans with access to live sports and other content, signaling a shift away from traditional cable TV and impacting the industry and investor sentiment. The service targets sports fans and cord-cutters, with industry analysts debating its potential success amid high prices and market competition.
ESPN has launched a streaming service to adapt to the shift away from traditional cable TV, where it once dominated with its flagship channel in 100 million homes, reflecting the broader industry trend of cord-cutting.
ESPN has launched a new direct-to-consumer streaming service, but it appears to prefer that existing cable subscribers do not switch, as the network still benefits financially from the traditional cable bundle and is hesitant to fully embrace cord-cutting. The service costs $30/month and aims to attract new viewers outside the cable ecosystem, but ESPN's strategy seems to balance between monetizing current cable deals and exploring digital options.
Sling TV introduces 'Sling Select', a slimmer $20 bundle of 11 sports and lifestyle channels, with options for local station add-ons in select cities, as part of its efforts to attract viewers wary of rising streaming costs amid broader financial struggles at its parent company, EchoStar.
Disney is responding to the decline in traditional TV viewership and advertising revenue by merging Hulu with Disney+ and launching a new ESPN app, aiming to attract more subscribers and adapt to the growing trend of cord-cutting and competition from free streaming platforms.
The NBA Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder is tied at 3-3, with Game 7 scheduled for June 22, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Viewers can watch the game via streaming services like Sling TV, which offers the cheapest US option, or use VPNs to access free streams overseas, such as the Indian YouTube channel. Other streaming options include DirecTV and Fubo, which offer free trials and more channels.
In May, for the first time, more Americans watched television via streaming services than through cable and broadcast networks combined, marking a significant shift in viewing habits and signaling that streaming has become the dominant form of TV consumption.