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    Why Comcast Doesn't Need to Fear Streaming Video

    By Rebecca Greenfield | The Atlantic Wire – Wed, Feb 15, 2012
    Why Comcast Doesn't Need to Fear Streaming Video

    As Comcast's earnings report proves, the cable companies and broadcast networks who fear the Internet taking away precious cable subscribers have a lot to gain from the streaming viewing trend. Namely: A new place to profit off of content licensing. Even as streaming services are the rage, Comcast managed to have a profitable quarter with the help of people watching its shows online.

    RELATED: Comcast Is the Latest to Launch a Netflix Competitor


    Now that it owns NBC's content. Comcast has seen its NBC unit post a $305 million increase in licensing fees this year, "primarily the result of a licensing agreement for prior season and library content," explains the report. Though that just vaguely means "selling reruns," sources told AllThingsD's Peter Kafka that really refers to the NBC-Netflix deal renewal signed last July, which kept old Office and Parenthood episodes on Netflix. Even as it may have snatched away some video subscribers, the Internet has given Comcast another place to sell content.

    RELATED: HBO Chips Away at Netflix's Video Eden


    The big fear for cable providers is that the Internet will give subscribers an out, yet television watching is not a zero-sum game. The media viewing pie has just gotten bigger, and those who own the content will continue to benefit. Take Aereo, the latest streaming method, which for $12 a month allows subscribers to stream the major networks. The service will draw more viewers to broadcast TV, argues Barry Diller, who created FOX and has invested in the company. Those are viewers who didn't exist before, like those who have already forsaken cable TV packages for Netflix-Hulu combos. "Creators and owners of content have nothing to fear from this innovation," added venture capitalist Fred Wilson in an email to Media Decoder's Brian Stelter. "It will be like all other tech innovations before. It will lead to greater profits for them." 

    RELATED: The Future of Streaming Video Looks Like TV Reruns


    The other, more obvious, way cable providers have yet to lose to the Internet, is that they still control it. Though both Comcast and Time Warner reported losing 17,000 and 129,000 video subscribers, respectively, these companies both saw an increase in broadband subscriptions. Broadband, of course, happens to be the best way to watch shows online, be that through Aereo, Hulu, Netflix, or whatever other service is on the horizon. 

    RELATED: NBC Might Not Fight for the London 2012 Olympics


    Image via Shutterstock by Poleze. 

     

    5 comments

    • Torrell
      Torrell  •  San Diego, California  •  3 mths ago
      X-box + Internet + Netflix = Who needs cable?
      • Zyghart
        Zyghart 3 mths ago
        I'll agree, but if you add the cost of all that up... you're still basically paying for cable. Unless you get LIVE for free? What's that other service where you get online for free? I forget... :P
      • JoeS
        JoeS 3 mths ago
        Don't want to start a console war but Zyghart does have a point. But yes I totally agree with ya xD
      • Ivan
        Ivan 3 mths ago
        Live is a yearly fee cable is monthly it does not add up
    • Ivan
      Ivan  •  Inglewood, California  •  3 mths ago
      Cable companies sell packages of content i don't want to watch. Streaming services offer all their content on demand for one price. Freedom of choice is what we want.
      • Adam Kolthoff
        Adam Kolthoff 3 mths ago
        exactly some like history channel some dont but for those that dont get charged anyway.
      • Ivan
        Ivan 3 mths ago
        LOl, thumbs down? i guess people dont like freedom of choice
    • pj
      pj  •  Miami, Florida  •  3 mths ago
      Comcast sucks balls!
    • Adam Kolthoff
      Adam Kolthoff  •  Rockford, Illinois  •  3 mths ago
      comcast wouldn't hurt because very least you would need there internet package to stream. i'm moving soon and thought about paying internet for only $40 and netflix for $8 instead of the $150 for cable,internet,phone triple pack
      • Ragabash Moon
        Ragabash Moon 3 mths ago
        Yep. That's what I do already. I have my laptop hooked up to my HDTV too, so even if a show is only available on computers and not on other devices, I can still watch them on my TV :)
    • Mmm
      Mmm  •  3 mths ago
      Yes they do have a lot to fear. Cable delivers hundreds of channels with generally nothing worth watching and if there is it contains so many commercials it ruins any enjoyment. You can watch most anything free from Crackle, etc or pay a small amount for Netflix and watch the same shows with no commercials. Save the $1000+ a year and cut the cable.
     Post a comment
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