I have FIOS Internet service only and have ditched the Verizon Router almost 2 years ago. At the time, the provided routers did not provide Gigabit ports and the wireless was not great IMO. I have no desire to reconnect this router or watch live TV on a regular basis. Got rid of DirecTV and use Netflix and HuluPlus for TV content. On the rare occasion I wanted to watch AMC for Walking Dead as it played live, I wanted to use the FIOS App on my XBox 360 and XBox One. I was told I needed to subscribe to one of the full TV packages to get any of the streaming channels. Maybe I'm the minority here, but feel Verizon is missing out on a subscriber base.
Any ideas?
@WilliamIII wrote:I have FIOS Internet service only and have ditched the Verizon Router almost 2 years ago. At the time, the provided routers did not provide Gigabit ports and the wireless was not great IMO. I have no desire to reconnect this router or watch live TV on a regular basis. Got rid of DirecTV and use Netflix and HuluPlus for TV content. On the rare occasion I wanted to watch AMC for Walking Dead as it played live, I wanted to use the FIOS App on my XBox 360 and XBox One. I was told I needed to subscribe to one of the full TV packages to get any of the streaming channels. Maybe I'm the minority here, but feel Verizon is missing out on a subscriber base.
Any ideas?
A lot of your content providers with channels who offer streaming media through their websites or apps require a subscription from a cable provider, it's not just a Fios thing. Because of contracts with cable providers to carry the channels they aren't just going to allow you to watch their content without paying for some kind of subscription.
Hulu, Netflix, etc. run their own paid subscription services which is why you can view their content however you want, but if you want to watch cable shows outside of those services that aren't on them, you are going to have to subscribe elsewhere.
You can get local channel streaming such as ABC, CBS, etc. for free through their apps, but if it's a cable channel one way or another you're going to pay if you want what's offered.
I have no problem paying Verizon for a TV subscription. I am not trying to get access to the App content for free. I am merely suggesting there should be a paid package available for the streaming only content. Not all of the channels in the lineup are available for streaming through the App; so why would I pay for a "regular" package when I will never be able to watch 75% of the content without changing my current network setup?
Just to be clear, you're talking to other users here. Verizon doesn't monitor this space other than to keep posts on topic and friendly.
Your idea is interesting and my guess is that lots of folks in the content and distribution industries are thinking about stuff like this. The challenge is there are a lot of entrenched interests who don't want to change things if they think it means less revenue. There are lots of contracts and deals that determine what is in a "package" and what features, such as VoD and streaming are made available.
Change is coming, such as HBO considering streaming only subscriptions, but you can be sure the companies that are looking at revenue loss are fighting tooth and nail to keep their piece of the pie.
Enjoy.
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