Directv to shift away from Satellite?

[Tampa8]

A problem I see with this is DTV canceling new satellites and the current fleet has a finite lifespan. I'm not up on current in orbit spares, but if DTV needs a replacement satellite it takes a year or more to build and launch one. And at tremendous cost.

My opinion is ATT will connect most of the country in the next 5yrs via a combination of DSL over copper, fiber and 5G and eventually pull the plug on satellite delivery. That's simply my opinion but based on some things I've seen while working there and picking up bits and pieces from employees. I think ATT likes the Netflix model with no satellites, no warehouses full of receivers, no installers, etc, and they can cut a lot of costs and retain a majority of the customer base.

I tend to agree with you I don't think At&t sees Satellite as a long term way of delivery. But just how long is the question and are they willing to accelerate ending that use for the merger.

 

[Jimbo]

I tend to agree with you I don't think At&t sees Satellite as a long term way of delivery. But just how long is the question and are they willing to accelerate ending that use for the merger.

They will never move everyone over to Internet based Streaming ...
Theres a whole lot of people that have No interest in Streaming TV ... sure you young guys may be up on all that but the majority of people with D* are older ... I know I do stream a little, but thats only if theres something that I decide I want to watch that isn't currently on.
Theres a few generations above me that I'm sure trying to tell them they have to have internet to watch TV and you have to go out and find what you want, VS having a guide that you can see whats on ........... Many people don't want the hassles.

 

[slice1900]

A problem I see with this is DTV canceling new satellites and the current fleet has a finite lifespan. I'm not up on current in orbit spares, but if DTV needs a replacement satellite it takes a year or more to build and launch one. And at tremendous cost.

They HAVE NOT cancelled new satellites. At least not all of them - maybe they were going to build more than one, but they have one new one, T16, still under construction. It takes more like four years to build and launch one, at least based on the timelines of their previous few from the time they were initially announced to the time they actually made orbit.

While the cost is large, it is amortized over 20+ million customers and many years. If you assume the target 15 year lifespan (most last at least five years longer) the cost to build and launch a new satellite costs a dime per subscriber per month over those 15 years. I don't know where people get this crazy idea that getting rid of satellites will save a bunch of money. It will not. The infrastructure and bandwidth required to stream to millions of customers simultaneously is not exactly free, either.

 

[Juan]

They will never move everyone over to Internet based Streaming ...
Theres a whole lot of people that have No interest in Streaming TV ... sure you young guys may be up on all that but the majority of people with D* are older ... I know I do stream a little, but thats only if theres something that I decide I want to watch that isn't currently on.
Theres a few generations above me that I'm sure trying to tell them they have to have internet to watch TV and you have to go out and find what you want, VS having a guide that you can see whats on ........... Many people don't want the hassles.

Technology constantly evolves..as soon as streaming goes mainstream..something else will pop up and replace it

Sent from my SM-G950U using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[Juan]

They HAVE NOT cancelled new satellites. At least not all of them - maybe they were going to build more than one, but they have one new one, T16, still under construction. It takes more like four years to build and launch one, at least based on the timelines of their previous few from the time they were initially announced to the time they actually made orbit.

While the cost is large, it is amortized over 20+ million customers and many years. If you assume the target 15 year lifespan (most last at least five years longer) the cost to build and launch a new satellite costs a dime per subscriber per month over those 15 years. I don't know where people get this crazy idea that getting rid of satellites will save a bunch of money. It will not. The infrastructure and bandwidth required to stream to millions of customers simultaneously is not exactly free, either.

I thought you said att was going to buy a "used" satellite already in orbit

Sent from my SM-G950U using the SatelliteGuys app!

 

[navychop]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t T16 designed to be flexible in that it can be used in more than one slot? That means they could well sell it, worldwide, if they so choose and there’s a customer.

 

[Inclined Orbit]

T16 was already in the works and was allowed to continue when the decision came down, otherwise everything else was canceled and that came from DTV. Where do you get your info?

They HAVE NOT cancelled new satellites. At least not all of them - maybe they were going to build more than one, but they have one new one, T16, still under construction. It takes more like four years to build and launch one, at least based on the timelines of their previous few from the time they were initially announced to the time they actually made orbit.

While the cost is large, it is amortized over 20+ million customers and many years. If you assume the target 15 year lifespan (most last at least five years longer) the cost to build and launch a new satellite costs a dime per subscriber per month over those 15 years. I don't know where people get this crazy idea that getting rid of satellites will save a bunch of money. It will not. The infrastructure and bandwidth required to stream to millions of customers simultaneously is not exactly free, either.

 

[Bruce]

They will never move everyone over to Internet based Streaming ...
Theres a whole lot of people that have No interest in Streaming TV ... sure you young guys may be up on all that but the majority of people with D* are older ... I know I do stream a little, but thats only if theres something that I decide I want to watch that isn't currently on.
Theres a few generations above me that I'm sure trying to tell them they have to have internet to watch TV and you have to go out and find what you want, VS having a guide that you can see whats on ........... Many people don't want the hassles.

I'm 51 and love watching stuff via the internet, I have never found it hard to find what I want to watch.

And you just made a point why Traditional TV Services are dying a slow death with the majority of people with D* are older comment, United States population grows by 1.5 million every year ( 4 million born, 2.5 million die) and that has been consistent for the last 30 years, based on that Cable/ Sat. numbers should grow, the problem is the under 30 crowd who feel they do not need ( or want) Traditional TV, they get their needs meet with Netflix and the like.

My kids are 28 and 23 and they just do not care about regular TV at their homes and I assume that most members here with children ( teenagers especially) are the same.

 

[Ronnie-]

Theres a few generations above me that I'm sure trying to tell them they have to have internet to watch TV and you have to go out and find what you want, VS having a guide that you can see whats on ........... Many people don't want the hassles.

Now that Hulu has added it, all of the major OTT services now have a guide that lets you see what is on.

 

[Jimbo]

I'm 51 and love watching stuff via the internet, I have never found it hard to find what I want to watch.

And you just made a point why Traditional TV Services are dying a slow death with the majority of people with D* are older comment, United States population grows by 1.5 million every year ( 4 million born, 2.5 million die) and that has been consistent for the last 30 years, based on that Cable/ Sat. numbers should grow, the problem is the under 30 crowd who feel they do not need ( or want) Traditional TV, they get their needs meet with Netflix and the like.

My kids are 28 and 23 and they just do not care about regular TV at their homes and I assume that most members here with children ( teenagers especially) are the same.

And what about the ones Older than you ?
The ones that have no desire to stream ?

I would much rather have a Guide and know whats on, VS choosing something from the past.
I watch Current shows, Today or Tomorrow via DVR.
I watch Local Networks ...

From what I've seen, you don't always have that option.

If I want to watch the Red Sox game tonight .... Not on streaming without having another sub to some other service.

I already can't watch CBS for Star Trek without paying twice for CBS, I have CBS on my Sat service now, but lo and behold they make you pay for another CBS to watch it ....

I can see Streaming doing this and the internet prices raising yearly on top of it all.

 

[mdram]

i would love to stream, but not everyone has that option

 

[Jimbo]

Now that Hulu has added it, all of the major OTT services now have a guide that lets you see what is on.

Roku doesn't .... at least from what I've seen.

 

[Ronnie-]

Roku doesn't .... at least from what I've seen.

You are correct. The hulu app on roku has not been updated. Fire tv, xbox one, and a few others have in the past week. Roku and the other platforms are coming soon it is said.

 

[Jimbo]

You are correct. The hulu app on roku has not been updated. Fire tv, xbox one, and a few others have in the past week. Roku and the other platforms are coming soon it is said.

Of course were talking about Programs ON the Roku, not the Roku itself.

 

[Ronnie-]

Of course were talking about Programs ON the Roku, not the Roku itself.

I am not sure I understand what you mean. I meant the OTT apps, Sling, Directv Now, Vue, Hulu Live, YTTV, all offer guides similar to traditional pay tv now. Hulu just has not updated the Hulu app on the roku to include the guide. They do on other devices.

Other apps that do not offer live tv have no such guide. Netflix, amazon, regular Hulu, and such are examples.

 

[Bruce]

And what about the ones Older than you ?
The ones that have no desire to stream ? My Mother and Step Father ( 70 and 71) love Netflix, Amazon and Vudu, they bought a 4K Samsung Curved Screen last year and the only way to get a lot of 4K programming is with streaming.

I would much rather have a Guide and know whats on, VS choosing something from the past. I have a guide with Vue
I watch Current shows, Today or Tomorrow via DVR. Have a DVR also
I watch Local Networks ...So do I, but you do not need Cable / Sat / OTT service for that

From what I've seen, you don't always have that option. I do, Vue has all my locals-ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC

If I want to watch the Red Sox game tonight .... Not on streaming without having another sub to some other service. VUE carries my local Fox Sport and the ALT. Fox Sport channel when there is a conflict

I already can't watch CBS for Star Trek without paying twice for CBS, I have CBS on my Sat service now, but lo and behold they make you pay for another CBS to watch it ....I hate this also, I waited for the show to be done for the year and then binge watch it, only had to pay for the month then dropped it, doing the same with Homeland right now, I will do the same with HBO when Westworld is done for the season.

I can see Streaming doing this and the internet prices raising yearly on top of it all.

Everything goes up every year, Dish, DirecTV, Cable also, my Vue service went up $5, prices have been going up every year well before streaming became a big thing, what will bring it down is competition but that is more of a conversation for the Pit.

 

[Jimbo]

I am not sure I understand what you mean. I meant the OTT apps, Sling, Directv Now, Vue, Hulu Live, YTTV, all offer guides similar to traditional pay tv now. Hulu just has not updated the Hulu app on the roku to include the guide. They do on other devices.

Other apps that do not offer live tv have no such guide. Netflix, amazon, regular Hulu, and such are examples.

Gotcha ....
I currently use Netflix and Hulu ...
Being a D* sub, would like to have access to using D* Now without paying extra and setting up another account for it.

 

[Inclined Orbit]

I suspect if and when ATT/DirecTV pulls the plug on satellite your end experience will be about the same. I envision a set top box and program guide with all the things we have now but the content will simply be delivered over broadband connection or a little box and antenna outside for 5G service. Your local phone guys would install everything up front and you might be able to upgrade or change some hardware without a truck roll.

And what about the ones Older than you ?
The ones that have no desire to stream ?

I would much rather have a Guide and know whats on, VS choosing something from the past.
I watch Current shows, Today or Tomorrow via DVR.
I watch Local Networks ...

From what I've seen, you don't always have that option.

If I want to watch the Red Sox game tonight .... Not on streaming without having another sub to some other service.

I already can't watch CBS for Star Trek without paying twice for CBS, I have CBS on my Sat service now, but lo and behold they make you pay for another CBS to watch it ....

I can see Streaming doing this and the internet prices raising yearly on top of it all.

 

[Jimbo]

I suspect if and when ATT/DirecTV pulls the plug on satellite your end experience will be about the same. I envision a set top box and program guide with all the things we have now but the content will simply be delivered over broadband connection or a little box and antenna outside for 5G service. Your local phone guys would install everything up front and you might be able to upgrade or change some hardware without a truck roll.

I'll let you know in about 5-10 years when I am installing those on peoples houses on a regular basis.

By the time 5G is out and available to everyone, there will be something else taking over.

 

[CSM]

One other thing what about people who couldn't afford both TV and the internet?

I suspect if and when ATT/DirecTV pulls the plug on satellite your end experience will be about the same. I envision a set top box and program guide with all the things we have now but the content will simply be delivered over broadband connection or a little box and antenna outside for 5G service. Your local phone guys would install everything up front and you might be able to upgrade or change some hardware without a truck roll.

That is what I was thinking that you would get the same exact DTV experience you are getting now except with AT&T Internet or 5g. I still think you would need a small box for both AT&T Internet and 5g, unless AT&T would expand their app to 2015 and the latest smart TV's?