WKND streaming guide update

As you may have noticed, in recent weeks I've been spending less time putting together the weekend streaming guide. The new job has been taking up a lot of my time, and my travel schedule has been busy as well. At this point, my plan is to do away with the weekly streaming guide, and instead post quick updates when there is news. A weekly email will still go out every Friday afternoon eastern time, including a summary of any posts from the week.

If you're reading this post as an email and would like to unsubscribe you can do so below (but I'd be really sad to see you go!).

Thanks for being a reader/subscriber, have a great weekend.

-John

MLB spinning out streaming video service - a model for the future of TV?

From Recode:

MLB Advanced Media, the company that streams video for Major League Baseball and many other clients, is getting ready to spin out its tech operations in a deal that would give the new company a value of at least $3 billion.

And as part of the spinout prep, MLBAM is bulking up: It has signed a long-term deal with pro hockey’s NHL, which will give MLBAM the rights to pro hockey’s digital subscription products, as well as its cable TV property.

MLB Advanced Media made MLB.tv possible, one of the first large-scale live streaming initiatives. That early experience led to them developing the back-end tech for other big live streaming entities, such as WWE Network, watchESPN, and HBO Now.

However, this is the first time that MLBAM is purchasing streaming rights from a media company and selling advertising. Could this be a model for the future of live sports? Will MLBAM morph into a major competitor for ESPN, or would ESPN consider buying them at (just) $3 billion?

Watch PGA golf online live on iPhone, iPad, PC

Watch PGA golf online live with the new Tour Live app for iPhone and iPad. The app includes free live streams from select tournaments and exclusive early-round coverage with a subscription. 

Watch PGA golf online live with the new Tour Live app


Watch PGA golf online live with the new Tour Live app

Watch PGA golf online

For free, the app includes weekend live streams of featured groups and holes from select tournaments. This was previously available through the main PGA app. 

The main draw appears to be the $5/month subscription with access to early-round coverage from over 30 tournaments. Previously, early-round coverage from most tournaments was available online with a cable TV subscription that included the Golf Channel and alternate coverage was available for select tournaments. 

This may be a nice way to watch PGA golf online for hardcore fans without a cable subscription. Download the app here or go to the desktop website.

Other ways to watch PGA golf online

The PGA Tour has several television partners that make it possible to watch PGA golf online. The Golf Channel has early-round coverage of most tournaments, and extended weekend coverage of many tournaments. It is available through NBC Sports Live Extra with a cable subscription. Weekend broadcasts by NBC are also available this way.

CBS streams live weekend coverage from many tournaments, and the streams are available free through the PGA mobile app and website.

Some major tournaments are broadcast by additional channels and are available through watchESPN, FOX Sports Go, or TNT. Most of these streams require a cable subscription to watch PGA golf online, but ESPN does make some alternate coverage of its tournaments available free. Check the full schedule of PGA tournaments with TV information here.

HBO Now is available through Verizon Wireless and FiOS

FiOS internet customers can sign up for HBO Now today for the standard price of $15 per month. Verizon Wireless customers will be able to sign up soon. 

Since its launch, HBO Now has steadily increased distribution and is now available through Apple and Android devices and several internet providers. Sign up for a free trial.

Vizio smart TVs are collecting 100 billion anonymized data points from viewers each day

TV maker Vizio recently filed for an IPO. One of the interesting bits of info to come from the filing was Vizio’s ambitions to build a data services business:

'Our Inscape data services capture, in real time, up to 100 billion anonymized viewing data points each day from our over 8 million VCUs [Vizio Connect Units aka Smart TVs]. Inscape collects and stores data regarding most content displayed on VCU television screens, including content from cable and satellite providers, streaming devices and gaming consoles. Inscape provides highly specific viewing behavior data on a massive scale with great accuracy, which can be used to generate intelligent insights for advertisers and media content providers and to drive their delivery of more relevant, personalized content through our VCUs.'

Vizio and other smart TV makers are in great position to get a holistic picture of what consumers are viewing from a variety of sources (at least on their TVs). It’s something Nielsen can’t currently do and a company like Apple or Google can’t do on their own.

They better make sure that data is fully anonymized and stored securely, though. I imagine many of us probably wouldn’t want our complete viewing habits leaked on the internet.

More details on Verizon's coming streaming service

The new service, called Go 90, will include some full TV episodes and short-form content available for free. A few big networks are on board and it will also include free live NFL games, which Verizon has the rights to stream on smartphones.

This is a nice bonus for anyone that has already chosen Verizon. Is it enough to convince people to switch from another (cheaper) carrier though? 

Streaming this WKND: British Open free, new Comcast and NFL streaming services

Sports

Golf's British Open (aka The Open Championship) is available on watchESPN with lots of free video available on ESPN3 and TheOpen.com. Coverage begins at 6am Fri-Sun.

Get the MLB games of the day free on PC or with At-Bat Premium on iPhone, iPad, Android (subject to local blackout).

Check your local listings to see what is free with an antenna. All times Eastern.

Streaming video

Silicon Valley S2 and Veep S4 are now available to purchase on iTunes, Amazon, or VUDU.

See what's new on Netflix this month and streaming free on Crackle, TubiTV, Hulu, and AOL On.

News

Comcast will be offering a streaming service to its broadband customers in Boston, Chicago, and Seattle later this year. It will include local broadcast channels, HBO, and more for $15/month. This looks to be aimed at younger people that don't have cable and may not own a TV. Because it includes local channels the service will have to be rolled out one market at a time, much like Playstation's Vue.

HBO Now is available on Android and Kindle tablets and is coming soon to Fire TV.

NFL Now will be replaced with a new streaming service.

TiVo can now stream to Apple TV.

Have a great weekend!

This is the Streaming This Weekend (without cable) series. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it in your inbox every Friday. All times mentioned are Eastern.

Streaming this WKND: Wimbledon, Showtime without cable, Netflix original movies

Wimbledon is the big event this weekend, with MLB baseball and PGA golf as always. The only news of note is the schedule of Netflix original movie releases and Showtime's streaming service is now live. Have a great weekend!

Sports

watchESPN and Wimbledon.com have Wimbledon coverage every day beginning at 7am. The women's and men's championships are at 9am on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Get the MLB games of the day free on PC or with At-Bat Premium on iPhone, iPad, Android (subject to local blackout).

The PGA John Deere is free to stream on the PGA site and apps on Saturday and Sunday 3-6pm.

Check your local listings to see what is free with an antenna. All times Eastern.

Streaming video

See what's new on Netflix this month and streaming free on Crackle, TubiTV, Hulu, and AOL On.

Top TV shows available to purchase on iTunes, Amazon, or VUDU.

News

Showtime is now available without cable for $12 per month through Apple devices, Roku, or for $9 through Hulu. A free trial is available.

Netflix is moving from original TV shows to original movies. See the release schedule of the first round of movies.

This is the Streaming This Weekend (without cable) series. Subscribe to the newsletter to receive it in your inbox every Friday. All times mentioned are Eastern.