Comments on: Can TV Apps Save Niche Cable Networks? http://gigaom.com/2011/01/18/tv-apps-niche-cable-networks/ Fri, 24 May 2013 02:04:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: The Real Killer App For Apple TV Isn’t Sports — It’s Live: Online Video News « http://gigaom.com/2011/01/18/tv-apps-niche-cable-networks/#comment-607194 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:16:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=287730#comment-607194 [...] providers to tap into Apple TV’s live capabilities. For instance, independent cable network Wealth TV recently launched an app for Roku that will let its users subscribe to the networks without cable. And Al-Jazeera English, which [...]

]]> By: Forget Cable; Al-Jazeera English Is Now On Roku: Online Video News « http://gigaom.com/2011/01/18/tv-apps-niche-cable-networks/#comment-584669 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:02:12 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=287730#comment-584669 [...] the only media company to find its way onto Roku devices; last month independent cable network WealthTV announced that it would make live and on-demand streams of its content available to Roku users for a monthly [...]

]]> By: Chris Defendis http://gigaom.com/2011/01/18/tv-apps-niche-cable-networks/#comment-577669 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:49:54 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=287730#comment-577669 This article lays out nicely the problem that many independent networks face, specifically the bundling of channels that programmers present when renegotiating deals with cable/satellite companies. Both parties are at fault, but it’s the main reason why an a la carte model in the traditional cable world will be very difficult to introduce.

Having said that, the app model is also one with many hurdles that need to be overcome. Infrastructure being one of them. If someone has a problem with their service, who do they call, Roku? Wealth TV? Also, who is managing billing, customer service, etc? Marketing also plays a bigger role because every month that subscriber is making that decision to resubscribe at the $2.99 price. The value of that purchase needs to be constantly reinforced so they continue to subscribe.

]]> By: Ramin http://gigaom.com/2011/01/18/tv-apps-niche-cable-networks/#comment-577153 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:12:24 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=287730#comment-577153 It is an interesting strategy and I agree with the challenges you laid out. It seems like an ad supported web distribution strategy would be simpler. Their affluent target audience would probably command higher than average CPM rates. Also, I wonder what the revenue split is with Roku. Either way it is great to see a content creator have the ability to reach their audience without the cooperation of the monopolistic distributors.

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