Tim Cook’s pitch for the fourth generation Apple TV so far has been largely that “the future of TV is apps”, and this week yet another premium cable and satellite network is launching a standalone version of its network for cord cutters. Starz, which before now has required a traditional cable or satellite package for access, is launching a streaming version of its network for a monthly rate competitive to HBO and Netflix. The new Starz app is available on iPhone, iPad, and the fourth generation Apple TV for $8.99/month if you don’t have the network in your cable package. Also in the streaming space, we learned today that Twitter has emerged victorious is scoring the rights to stream 10 NFL “Thursday Night Football” games in the next season…
Variety reports:
Twitter will carry the 10 “Thursday Night Football” games broadcast by NBC and CBS, which will also be simulcast on NFL Network.
Twitter will provide free, live streaming video of “Thursday Night Football” without authentication on mobile phones, tablets, PCs and connected TVs.
If that marriage between the NFL and Twitter, a social network, seems strange, just remember that Apple was very recently said to be in talks to win those streaming rights for themselves, although it was reported last month that Apple dropped out of the negotiations.
And although it’s not an exclusive deal, the new standalone Starz streaming service does add yet another network to Apple’s iOS and tvOS platform for iPhone, iPad, and the new Apple TV, which means even without an Apple-provided entertainment package, customers will have even more content without going through the cable company.
The $8.99/month Starz package uses the same app that cable subscribers use, unlike HBO NOW and HBO GO; and not only lets subscribers stream movies and TV shows like Ant-Man, Inside Out, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Party Down, but Starz customers can also download content for offline watching as well which few competitors (with the exception of Amazon Prime Video) offer.
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Shame it is only available in the USA
http://www.purevpn.com
Sweet, just added it. Now if only we could have an….
… never mind. We’ve all heard it’s on it’s way any day now for like 5 months…
;)
Hey, dishnetwork SLING and Amazon Install Video and Comcast/TWC xfinity/Anywhere – get on board to provide your native app on AppleTV. What you waiting for ? Spotify you too !!
surprise surprise.. Comcast isn’t one of the partner providers, so sadly no use on TV for Comcast subs. Shame on greedy comcast always finding unfair ways to steer people to their own platform… subs should have the right to stream the content they’re paying for in any device they prefer – it’s already paid!
I too was extremely annoyed to not see comcast in the list. They authorize HBO and Showtime, why not Starz? I’m hoping they just haven’t gotten their act together and will add support later
Not a chance. Comcast did the same bullshit to the HBO app on the PS3 years sago. All other service providers let you use your subscriptions where you will, but Comcast is perpetually “Working on providing you with more means to view content”
Eventually they caved, though and added support. They usually do, just not upfront. Once enough people complain they will silently enable authentication. It’s just annoying that they have to be difficult up front.
Its also combines all the Encore and MoviePlex channel content into the app. I wish Showtime and HBO would do one app like this instead of 2-3 apps. HBO GO, Max GO and HBO Now should all be one app. Showime and Sho Anywhere should also be one app. I wish they all offered live streaming like the Showtime apps do.
It does? Does it add only content based on what you subscribe to (as a cable subscriber)? I agree, this is the correct way to do this.
Yes, for instance if you only have Encore, then you can only watch the Encore movies.
I don’t care for football, but how will that work? 30 seconds of video in each tweet?
What are you really saving if each channel is $10 or so per month? Not gonna “cut” it. Need to provide tight bundles that make economic sense. Cable providers – be proactive for a change and let viewers put together “Chinese” menu type custom groups at various price points. Verizon started this. Now take it to the next level so customers feel they are getting real value.
You’re forgetting the Cable Co’s biggest business practice: We Fear Change!