Where have all the users gone?

NextTV had an article recently talking about the number of losses by traditional pay TV service. But, it wondered where those viewers went.

I'm inclined to say they went to streaming or over the air antenna, or both of those, but there is no data to back that up.

That's not to say data contradicts my suggestion, just that there isn't data to say one way or another.

Have people quit watching TV? I don't think so, although it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing if they did.

I used to watch TV when I traveled for business or pleasure. But, I haven't done that in years. Oh, I've traveled, but I rarely turn on a TV if I'm away from home. So in some respects, I'm watching less TV, though I'm streaming more.

Is this what's happening to others? I have no way of knowing, as the data isn't there.

The article by  Daniel Frankel, which was published last week, mentioned that traditional pay TV services were losing large numbers of viewers:

Three of the five largest traditional bundlers of pay TV channels in America delivered second-quarter earnings reports this week, and each revealed marked increases in the number of customers ditching linear video service. 

However, there's no evidence they're going, well, anywhere.

Essentially, Comcast's entire portfolio of app-based, beyond-footprint video experiences is going behind a wall, so we won't be able to necessarily trade a clean line between customers, say, ditching the traditional Xfinity X1 Full Monty and adopting X1-like app-based viewing via an XClass smart TV.

Indeed, there are more dark places to hide in the video business than not these days. That starts with the vast market capitalizations of the tech giants, who rarely drill down on the quarterly usage metrics of their video apps and CTV device platforms.

While revealing a net loss of nearly $2 billion in the second quarter on Thursday, Amazon didn't come close to drilling down on how many folks use Amazon Prime Video worldwide, or its connected TV platform, Amazon Fire TV.

Likewise, Apple hasn't once revealed a subscriber -- or even active user -- metric for Apple TV Plus. How many active users does the Apple TV 4K CTV ecosystem have? Outside of research company estimates, we have no clue. 

Companies aren't reporting the data needed to understand what's happening. Whether that's because they don't want to have the data spun to reflect poorly on themselves, I don't know. Remember that streaming is a new thing, and there is no long history of reporting these numbers.

Until the companies start sharing the data, we can only speculate where the viewers are going. I went to streaming, and likely you did too, or are thinking about it. My Streaming Life suits me just fine, and I suspect others feel the same way.

Chromecast features worth considering

Google introduced the Chromecast device back in 2013. It's gone through some upgrades since then, including the newest version, introduced in 2020, Chromecast with Google TV.

The original Chromecast, and its successor, the 3rd generation Chromecast, was and is a basic dongle that works in conjunction with a mobile device for streaming content. It also allows casting of a browser tab from a Chrome browser.

The Chromecast with Google TV is all that, plus had an actual user interface and remote, like a full-fledged streaming device. And not just like a full-fledged streamer; it IS a full-fledged streamer.

I like bits about the Chromecast, though Roku remains my preferred streaming device. But, I certainly understand why some prefer Chromecast, or Chromecast with Google TV.

Recently, the Chromecast Blog listed 9 things about the Chromecast that make it worth considering as the streaming device of choice. At a high level, they are:

• See who’s at your door.
• Mirror your Android screen or Chrome tab to the big screen.
• Show off your photos on a TV with Chromecast.
• Cast your meetings to the big screen.
• The control is yours with Chromecast.
• Continue casting even when you leave the room.
• Let your friends and family join in on the party with a shared queue.
• Move your media from room to room.
• Cast with Android, iOS or Chrome on PC and Mac.

On the Chromecast Blog, you can read more about why it just might be the streaming device of choice for you. If you have been thinking about Chromecast, particularly Chromecast with Google TV, you may find it's a good way to begin or improve your Streaming Life.

Deals! Deals! Deals!

I don't normally write about deals, but will if I think it's a big enough of a deal. And, there are a couple going on that might be of interest to cord cutters. But, they are short-term deals and will likely end today or tomorrow.

First, if you're looking for a streaming device, the Fire TV Cube is a great choice. And Best Buy is currently running it for half price, $59.99. And yes, that's the current device, not a refurbished or older stock item.

That's a very good deal. If you've been looking at getting a Fire TV device, there is none better than the Fire TV Cube, and half price is the best price I've seen on that device.

Another good deal is a streaming deal. Sling TV is offering 20 days free. That's for new or returning customers. 20 days free.

That's hard to beat.

Meaning if you used both these deals, you'd have a top notch streaming device, and a very good live streaming service, at the best price I've ever seen.

Like I said, I don't often post about deals, but this seems too good to be true. But it is true. And worth a look if you're wanting to start, or improve, your Streaming Life.

Picking the wrong live streaming service

If you're new to cord cutting, or thinking about cutting the cord, there are some decisions you have to make regarding what streaming services to use. However, since that decision is something with which you don't have a lot of experience, how do you know if you made the right decision?

There are two answers to this, and they both apply:

1. You won't know if you made the right decision.
   
2. It doesn't really matter.

What? It doesn't matter? Of course it matters! Except, really, it doesn't. Well, as long as  you subscribed for a month, it doesn't really matter.

You see, with streaming, if you don't get it right the first time, so what? You still get streaming content, so it's not like you spent money and can't watch TV. Rather, if you picked a live streaming service that isn't quite what you wanted, you can change it. The service is only for 30 days at a time. If during those 30 days, you decide the service isn't all that, then cancel at the end of the term -- be sure you know the renewal date and cancel ahead of time -- and subscribe to a different service.

Streaming isn't like watching cable. No long-term contracts. It's easy to switch. And you have several choices when it comes to services.

Oh, and of course I'm going to throw out my usual nonsense: Do you really need a live streaming service? Can you find what you want on a free ad-supported television (FAST) service?

Don't feel pressured to get it right first time when you pick a live streaming service. If you find you don't like the service, it's easy to change to a different service. Having a Streaming Life give you options you never had before. I enjoy mine. You should enjoy yours as well.

Ads on your streamer's home screen

One complaint that several users mention on support forums regards ads on the streaming device home page.

For some reason, some people get all bent out of shape about this. Some complain about the content of the ads. For example, Roku support forums have lots of complaints about mature themes in ads on the home page that children can see.

Some complain about the existence of the ads. That is, they don't want to see any ads whatsoever.

Now, understand that these ads are actually ads for apps, services, movies, or TV shows that can be watched on the platform. There might be an ad for The Expanse, which is a show you can watch on Amazon Prime Video. Or an ad for Hulu, which can be added to your apps and subscribe and watch.

You won't find -- or at least I've not seen -- ads for Chevrolet, Bank of America, Ford, Viagra, or other non-streaming products. Everything is actually a promotion of streaming content.

So, is it possible to not have ads on your streamer's home screen? Well, yes, but there's a catch. You have to have an Apple TV device.

Apple TV is the only device that doesn't actually include ads on the home screen. If you have a Roku device, a Fire TV device, or a Google/Android TV device, you'll see ads. But you won't on Apple TV.

Is that the only way to stop ads? Properly, yes. The terms of service of the devices allow them to put ads there, and any hardware or software you have that blocks the ads is actually a violation of that. I've not gone into how to block ads, and don't plan to. I agreed to the terms, and I'll follow the terms or not use the device. Plus there's one other thing: ads don't bother me.

I suppose it's my super power. I can completely ignore an ad for something I don't care about. The only time an ad really irritates me if it's an ad for something I'm personally opposed to. I despise political ads, for instance, but the ads on streaming device menus are not that type. Within the content, yes, I've seen the ads, and I will get irritated by political ads there, but generally, they don't bother me.

If you insist on removing ads from your streaming device menu, the only proper way is to use an Apple TV. And, using an Apple TV device is actually a good user experience. I've used them in my Streaming Life for years, but not because of the lack of ads. But if ads are a deciding factor for you, Apple TV may be the way to go.