Dump your cable subscription for YouTube ... soon, that is
By Jason Buckland, Sympatico / MSN Finance
In this space last month, we wondered – with online video continuing to make leaps and bounds – if it might be possible to free yourself from that costly cable or satellite TV subscription sometime soon.
Don’t go telling Rogers to eat it just yet, but you might want to start warming to the idea.
YouTube has now cannonballed into the pool of mainstream online video, opting to splash the waters that other streaming video sites could only tread before.
The most popular online media site (by nine times the users), YouTube struck a deal this week with several major U.S. entertainment studios to – as the New York Times says – transform itself “from an online jumble of amateur videos to a destination for mainstream TV programs and movies.”
While the start-up programming will be pretty weak (only some CBS sitcoms and a classic library featuring movies like Carrie and episodes of The Addams Family will be initially available), you’ll be able to benefit from YouTube’s leap into high-quality, industry content in a few ways.
First, this brings another wave of network TV to Canadian Internet users. Hulu, the video site often credited as YouTube’s largest competition, is only available to American users signing in with an IP address identifiable to U.S. customers. Add to the mix access to the Global and CTV websites, which carry a good amount of popular programming, and you’ll be able to watch the bulk of HD-quality TV online, without a paid subscription.
Millions also fork over money to services like Netflix and pay-per-view each year for their movie fix, yet the new YouTube could keep you from that, too. And soon you won’t have to just watch Carrie over and over. With 90 million visitors each month, advertisers will continue to flock to the site, generating revenue that’ll draw more studios (Sony, Lions Gate and MGM are already in with YouTube) to offer their pictures for view.
Even if there’s talk of YouTube charging a small fee for premium content sometime in the future, it can’t possibly be more than you’re spending with Netflix or on premium cable or satellite packages. Consider, too, that just about every professional sports game is available to online users now, and streaming video certainly seems like the future.
Of course, again, all this is moot if you don’t want to watch TV huddled around a computer. But as we outlined last month, it’s pretty easy to hook a computer up to a TV now, streaming the video through your flat screen just as if it was coming through your DVR.
So, what’s left? Can cable and satellite providers really hold off online video as dominant market forces for much longer?
Posted by: Ed | Apr 17, 2021 9:33:45 AM
This would be great as I find most times we get so sick of all the ads every 10 mins. or somtimes less than that we just shut off the tv.Now the ads going across the screen as you try to watch a show is just getting to be a bit much, we do pay for the programing so we should have some input as to how much time is allowed for the ads.Without the Gov. setting the rules on how many mins.they can use for the ads. It's not that the tv programing is that good anyway most times it stinks and so do a lot of the movies that they put on. I think most everything could almost be on T.C.M. with the age of this stuff.
Posted by: David Edward DeLaat | Apr 17, 2021 9:53:20 AM
It,s about time...I have no problem dumping my cable subscription..seeing your getting more and more paid commercials & repeat programming & movies..Thank you Youtube....CRTC which stands for Canadian Radio and Telecommunation Commission keep up the good work..you can see where your headed...
Posted by: Judy | Apr 17, 2021 10:44:29 AM
I dumped my cable subscription a year and a half ago. I got sick to death of watching the same programs on multiple channels. And the commercials. And the monthly cost. I opted for a $20.00 set of rabbit ears and found that, even though I only receive 3 channels, most of all the programming I do watch is available on those 3 local ones. I really haven't sacrificed a thing. And I have saved myself hundreds of dollars in cable bills.
I recently purchased a small, high def outdoor antenna. I live in an apartment and this antenna will be installed on my balcony. It is no more intrusive than a satellite dish. Once installed, I'll be able to receive many more channels. And, once I buy a HD television, I will receive all my programming in HD, for FREE!!!!! Take THAT, cable companies. Plus, I'm looking forward to watching many streamed programs thru my computer which will be hooked up to my new HD television.
Posted by: Rita | Apr 17, 2021 11:09:33 AM
I've already ditched my cable tv all I have is my internet, where I find a wealth of entertainment, I watch free movies, all those that are currently in the theaters are available free on the net, I can watch old episodes of my favorites, I have free satellite radio therefore why spend extra for programming of television that I have no choice but to watch at their specified time, my time is valuable so I want to be able to spend it with quality time. The money that would be spent on cable and rentals is now going into a savings account.