Sports - that's the ticket. Comcast remains relevant for two reasons in my mind - they provide high-speed Internet in a quasi-monopolistic fashion, and local sports broadcasting. (I live in Philly, the stranglehold on sports here is palpable.)
That said, even sports apps are starting to show up on Apple TV and the like - it's just that right now, sports are attached to cable deals, much like HBO Go is attached to cable networks.
I feel like the "a la carte" unbundling discussion is almost moot. It was an important idea before, paying for just the channels you want. But now each channel can have it's own streaming app, and I can pay for and stream them whenever.
So now I guess it's just a matter of time before someone offers bundled groups of on-demand app access. Netflix + NFL Network + ABC/CBS + HBO Go... And toss in Comedy Central for good measure. Add in a $99 Apple TV, and who needs Comcast and Time Warner?
Oh right. They own the Internet access. I'd really like some net neutrality soon, please.
That said, even sports apps are starting to show up on Apple TV and the like - it's just that right now, sports are attached to cable deals, much like HBO Go is attached to cable networks.
I feel like the "a la carte" unbundling discussion is almost moot. It was an important idea before, paying for just the channels you want. But now each channel can have it's own streaming app, and I can pay for and stream them whenever.
So now I guess it's just a matter of time before someone offers bundled groups of on-demand app access. Netflix + NFL Network + ABC/CBS + HBO Go... And toss in Comedy Central for good measure. Add in a $99 Apple TV, and who needs Comcast and Time Warner?
Oh right. They own the Internet access. I'd really like some net neutrality soon, please.