NEW YORK (AP) — Costs for cable and video services like Netflix are rising. One alternative is a free service such as Pluto, Tubi or Popcornflix. They have ads and stream shows and movies that tend to be older, like the original “Roseanne” or “Fight Club.” The Associated Press spoke with Bill Rouhana, CEO of […]
Live Online TV, Once a Bargain, is Getting More Expensive
NEW YORK (AP) — If you signed up to stream live TV in hopes of saving money over traditional cable, you may be in for a rude surprise. Live online-TV providers like YouTube TV, DirecTV Now and Hulu with Live TV lured users with digital “skinny bundles” that were cheaper than cable. Now, many are […]
Watching TV is Free and Easy with Under-the-radar Locast
You canceled cable long ago. Your TV antenna has trash reception for ABC. But you want to host an Oscars viewing party. What to do? A newish, under-the-radar option is Locast. It’s like an app version of a $50 antenna you can get from Best Buy, and it’s free and easy to use. For someone […]
Verizon Cutting About 800 Jobs in Troubled Media Business
Verizon is cutting about 800 jobs, or 7 percent of its media and advertising employees, as it reorganizes the troubled division. The wireless company had hoped to create an ad business that could compete with Google and Facebook. It spent roughly $10 billion buying up former Internet pioneers Yahoo and AOL . But Verizon found […]
Disney Buying Large Part of 21st Century Fox in $52.4B Deal
Disney is buying a large part of the Murdoch family’s 21st Century Fox for about $52.4 billion in stock, including film and television studios and cable and international TV businesses, as it tries to meet competition from technology companies in the entertainment business. The deal gives Disney film businesses including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight […]
Comcast Reportedly No Longer in Deal Talks with Fox
Citing a Comcast statement, the Wall Street Journal reported that the cable company is no longer in discussions to buy pieces of 21st Century Fox . That could open the door to a Disney bid. Comcast declined to provide its statement to the Associated Press. A person familiar with the situation, who was not permitted […]
New Internet TV Service Has $16 Monthly Tab and No Sports
The hook of the latest internet TV service is a low price and no sports channels. Analysts estimate that internet TV packages such as Sling TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Now have so far signed up a few million customers. These services are meant to replace cable TV with a cheaper price and a smaller […]
AT&T vs. Justice: Behind the Dispute over Time Warner Deal
AT&T says it’s ready to fight the government for its $85 billion Time Warner deal if it has to. The Justice Department’s objections surprised many on Wall Street. The objections also raised red flags for those who worry that the White House is trying to hurt CNN through the merger-review process. President Donald Trump has […]
TV-gadget Maker Roku’s Stock Soars After IPO Raises $219M
Turner Is Latest to Plan Sports Streaming Service
NEW YORK (AP) — Turner Sports is the latest TV company to announce a sports streaming service as traditional television companies chase millennial audiences. The service, expected next year in the U.S., has signed up European soccer with the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Higher-profile sports on Turner’s TV channels, such as baseball […]