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Why we still can't watch live TV online
CNN ^ | 17 Dec 2010 | Mark Milian

Posted on 12/17/2010 12:35:01 PM PST by smokingfrog

What's the difference between the big screen in your living room, the smaller screen on your laptop or the tiny one in your pocket?

Size aside, there's quite a difference, media executives say.

To many, it's a mystery why we can't easily watch online broadcasts of the TV signals that are transmitted by networks over the air, on cable or via satellite.

Even Bryan Perez, the senior vice president for NBA Digital, admits, "It's a challenge to explain."

The simplified answer is that various media companies have a financial stake in where and how an episode of "Mad Men" can be aired. Networks must weigh the tradeoff between sacrificing viewers on one medium for another and also risk straining their lucrative relationships with cable TV companies.

But Time Warner Cable and Comcast are dipping their toes in the internet-video pool. Comcast is testing a new service that brings Web video and social networks onto the TV screen, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

In virtually all of these negotiations, coming to an agreement over streaming live video is no quick task. In addition to the cable and satellite providers, broadcast networks have their own contracts and input, and so do the sports leagues.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous; Technical
KEYWORDS: webtv
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Wall Street Journal article
1 posted on 12/17/2010 12:35:02 PM PST by smokingfrog
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To: smokingfrog
couch surfing
2 posted on 12/17/2010 12:37:25 PM PST by smokingfrog (Do all the talking you want, but do what I tell you.)
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To: smokingfrog

I watch live TV online all the time via my SlingBox.


3 posted on 12/17/2010 12:38:21 PM PST by Ozone34 ("There are only two philosophies: Thomism and bullshitism!" -Leon Bloy)
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To: smokingfrog

Every time a new technology comes along the media and entertainment industry acts like they just saw a spider in the room and try to stamp it out. Eventually they are drug kicking and screaming into making more money by using the new technology as opposed to resisting it.


4 posted on 12/17/2010 12:39:08 PM PST by Lost Highway (I don't know what the world may need but a V8 engines a good start for me)
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To: Ozone34

You can also watch the NFL Sunday Night game on your computer.


5 posted on 12/17/2010 12:39:26 PM PST by dfwgator (Welcome to the Gator Nation Will Muschamp)
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To: Ozone34

Any channel you want?


6 posted on 12/17/2010 12:40:23 PM PST by rockrr ("I said that I was scared of you!" - pokie the pretend cowboy)
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To: smokingfrog

Of course what’s good about being able to watch TV online is that I don’t have the kids barging in and seeing what Dad is watching, a lot of those shows are not suitable for kids, and I am not comfortable with them being on the big TV.


7 posted on 12/17/2010 12:42:48 PM PST by dfwgator (Welcome to the Gator Nation Will Muschamp)
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To: Ozone34

They’re a great little box. I just wish they’d quit “upgrading” the software. I run an old, old version and it’s much better than the newer, fancier versions.


8 posted on 12/17/2010 12:43:27 PM PST by FourPeas (From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Ja 3:10)
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To: dfwgator

Seems to me if you streamed it you could cut out the broadcaster’s ad sales group and save yourself a ton of cash.

Imagine if the producers of Mad Men told AMC to pound sand when their contract is up. The produced it and streamed it over the net. Still with commericals and available for a limited time.

Seems to me the audience would flock to them, and they control the ad time.

Its all about the benjamins.

The thing about the TV biz is that everyone is so freaking greedy it makes your eyes bleed. I used to work in it, and it really is annoying if you have the least bit of self respect.


9 posted on 12/17/2010 12:44:16 PM PST by Vermont Lt (Don't taze my junk bro.)
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To: Ozone34

I used to watch Fox News on TikiLive all the time, but for some reason they don’t have it any more. I think Fox made them remove it, but I don’t really understand why. Seems like they would get more viewers than they would normally have that way.


10 posted on 12/17/2010 12:45:25 PM PST by smokingfrog (Do all the talking you want, but do what I tell you.)
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To: smokingfrog

What nonsense!

I am in India at the moment, and am able to watch most of the local private news channels online for free.

The problem certainly isn’t technical.

http://www.ndtv.com/video/live/channel/ndtv24x7

And here’s CNN’s India channel:

http://ibnlive.in.com/livetv/


11 posted on 12/17/2010 12:46:02 PM PST by James C. Bennett
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To: James C. Bennett

Ageed, not a technical proble. Many networks now carry pressers live...


12 posted on 12/17/2010 12:49:01 PM PST by Dansong
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To: rockrr
Any channel you want?

Yeah. My AT&T U-verse box is connected to the SlingBox which is connected to my home network which is connected to the Internet. There's a browser plug-in that brings up the video screen and a virtual remote control device that allows you to operate your cable box. There's an IR-blaster that sits on the cable box that sends the remote control signals.

13 posted on 12/17/2010 12:49:30 PM PST by Ozone34 ("There are only two philosophies: Thomism and bullshitism!" -Leon Bloy)
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To: James C. Bennett

Not a technical problem?

Someone tell us about the quality of the video as delivered on the interet. Let’s hear bits per second. I can’t imagine today’s internet giving the picture and sound quality that over-the-air, cable and satellite give.

Nevertheless I’m interested in bringing internet TV to my television set. What internet connection speed is required? How good are those boxes that are dedicated to bringing an internet channel to your regular TV?

My grand design is to get rid of Dish (too expensive), watch the local channels with an antenna which I do now, and use internet TV for other stuff. Also I use Netflix.


14 posted on 12/17/2010 12:58:08 PM PST by frposty (I'm a simpleton)
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To: smokingfrog

correction, FROM THE UNITED STATES. Other countries already do live streaming.


15 posted on 12/17/2010 12:59:26 PM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: smokingfrog
Why would anyone want to?

Television/Cable TV is run by the state, and is nothing but lies and propaganda...

16 posted on 12/17/2010 1:11:33 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit.)
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To: dragnet2
"lies and propaganda..., that's it!

You & Lost Highway are spot on!!

17 posted on 12/17/2010 1:18:25 PM PST by de.rm (Bang, bang, . . bang. Shhh=Bush, the elder, E. Howard Hunt, LBJ, Mrs, Edgar Hoover)
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To: smokingfrog

I’ve been watching FOX news here in Russia on www.wwitv.com


18 posted on 12/17/2010 1:19:08 PM PST by Cowboy Bob (Obama has demonstrated to the world the failure of Affirmative Action)
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To: smokingfrog

I wish Fox would let people just buy FNC for the computer. It’s the only thing I want to see that is on the cable, and frankly, I’m about to cut the cable and just will have to do without fox.


19 posted on 12/17/2010 1:27:11 PM PST by I still care (I miss my friends, bagels, and the NYC skyline - but not the taxes. I love the South.)
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To: Cowboy Bob

You’re the best!


20 posted on 12/17/2010 1:28:33 PM PST by netmilsmom (Happiness is a choice.)
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