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I don't quite understand the following: > When Netflix launched its ad-supported tier [...], it tried to tempt viewers in with discounted rates What 'discount
by tmtvl 3y ago
I don't quite understand the following:
> When Netflix launched its ad-supported tier [...], it tried to tempt viewers in with discounted rates
What 'discounted rates'? If it's 'ad-supported' surely they don't expect people to pay for it? Who in their right mind would pay for the privilege of sitting through ads?
- bavent 3y agoPeople who pay for cable TV.
- add-sub-mul-div 3y agoPeople with cable have DVRs and can trivially and reliably skip commercials. It's streaming where you lose control of being able to seek arbitrarily through the video stream. Cable customers are the ones who can avoid commercials.
- bavent 3y agoReally? I haven’t had cable since before DVRs were a thing, I didn’t realize you got one with your cable subscription now.
- add-sub-mul-div 3y agoFor a while the cable companies would partner with Tivo and provide a DVR as an upsell but now they all have their own DVR platforms and it's become the standard cable box.
- pests 3y agoIt's been built into the set top experience for near a decade. They used to compete on space offered or how many TVs could record at once.
- eqvinox 3y agoI don't think ads vs. paid needs to be a binary choice; for example a cheap but not free plan that only has ads at beginning/end of titles but not midways is definitely a valid choice alternative to midspan ads as on classic TV. Some people hate getting interruptions mid watching something but aren't bothered waiting through some ads at the start.