The "Re-Bundling" of TV

While many industry watchers react to news of Warner Bros. Discovery's decision to separate its linear networks from its streaming business, what caught my eye was their partnership with Charter, who is now making Max available to Spectrum TV “Select” subscribers at no cost.? Streaming packages like this are much-needed and reflect a broader trend towards a “re-bundling of TV” (something MVPDs have mastered for decades). In addition to reducing the costs of streaming, this move also gives consumers a more unified way to access Max with other top streaming TV services

??A Modern Take on Bundling The proliferation of streaming apps has given consumers more choice when it comes to TV, but at a cost. ?Rising à la carte subscription fees and a convoluted process for logging in, searching and navigating across different services has led to serious viewer fatigue.? It’s literally a throw-back to the pre-IPG days of TV or pre-Google days of the web.?? ?

???Simplifying the Viewer Experience The integration of Max into the Spectrum “Select” bundle is more than just a lower cost option for consumers, it’s a new way for them to access major streaming services in a simpler, more unified way as far as login, navigation and discovery of content. And when accessed through CTV devices (like XumoTV), the entire Spectrum "Select" bundle is available thru a unified UI, with universal search and single sign-on (which removes the hassle of managing multiple apps and/or subscriptions). ??

??Differentiating Through FAST? The “re-bundling of TV” is also taking shape in other ways with MVPDs like DirecTV, who recently launched MyFree DirecTV, a broad line-up of over 70 free ad-supported? (FAST) channels. This bundle is tailored for younger audiences who are seeking a free and simple way to access streaming TV content without the need for a credit card or dealing with the complexities of searching, navigating and managing multiple apps.??

??Back to the Future (of TV) In many ways, these new streaming bundles are a throw-back to the early days of cable TV and the Internet...both of which experienced a rapid explosion of content without a cohesive way to search and navigate through the endless sea of options. Google solved the Internet navigation problem with "search" and the MVPDs solved the TV navigation issue with the interactive program guide ("IPG.") But in a media landscape characterized by endless variations of ad-supported and paid streaming services, the MVPDs’ are uniquely positioned to shape the future of TV given their mastery in packaging and bundling and for owning the stickiest part of the bundle...broadband.??In any case, it sure will be interesting to see how things develop from here.? ?

#WBD #ConnectedTV #MAX #LITrendingTopics #TheInsider

https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/charter-adds-max-wi