"Net neutrality:" so what (for now)?

New "net neutrality" rules are back. Well, that's not right. It's the old rules that were challenged in court before the Trump administration canceled the effort. And there will be challenges. But what does this so-called "net neutrality" mean to you?

Well, nothing. Not for now, because of the legal challenges, according to Luke Bouma of Cord Cutters News:

The rules, first introduced in 2015, designated Internet service providers as Title II companies, which are akin to gas and electric companies, with heavier oversight. They made it through a legal challenge in court before the following administration ordered their dismantling (read the full history of net neutrality here).

The new take on the rules is like the 2015 version and will probably be challenged in court again.

So, what’s next? In short, legal challenges long before this will ever take effect. Already a growing number of Internet providers have stated they will fight net neutrality.

“The FCC’s proposal to reinstate Title II regulation of broadband is not only misguided—it is a missed opportunity,” said Grant Spellmeyer, CEO of ACA Connects, a trade group made up of smaller cable and Internet providers. “We should be working together to improve broadband access and adoption for all Americans, not relitigating the regulatory battles of the past.” 

What does this mean for cord cutting? In short, you likely won’t see any changes anytime soon even if the FCC wins the court cases and these rules take effect. The real change is the FCC will now take a larger role in regulating Internet providers.

I'm more of a 10th Amendment kinda guy:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

I don't feel the federal government should be involved. Federal involvement is overreach in my mind. My Streaming Life doesn't need more federal government involvement.

Comcast and TV fees

Comcast recently updated its TV fee rate card for some areas. Mine was updated on April 1, and I just this week got around to looking at it.

The total I would pay for local channels is: per month. Here's the breakdown:

• Limited Basic: $24.00 (Requires TV Box, TV Adapter, or compatible customer owned device with Xfinity Internet service. Limited Basic does not qualify for Multi Product discount or Autopay and Paperless Billing discount. Cannot be combined with Xfinity TV multichannel services.)
• Broadcast TV Fee: $25.70 (Applies to Limited Basic, Choice TV and Seasonal Xfinity TV service.)
• HD Technology Fee: $9.95 (Required for HD programming if HD programming not included with service.)

Yikes! That adds up to $59.65 per month. And that's just for local channels. If I want DVR or other functionaltiy, that's more, and requires a bigger (more expensive) TV package. Regional sports networks? More, and a bigger (more expensive) TV package is required.

My Streaming Life has included an antenna for some time. I wondered if it was worth the expense. It is.

Peacock price increase, 2024 version

Peacock TV is raising its prices again. Of course, many products and services have gone up in the past 3+ years, so this isn't really a surprise.

So, what's the new cost of Peacock? Well, effective July 18, 2024, it'll be $8/month for Peacock, with the price of Peacock Plus (no ads, local channels) goes up to $14.

This price increase is $2/month for either service, and goes into effect 336 days after the last price increase.

My Streaming Life has included Peacock TV since the service launched. As a Comcast/Xfinity customer, I was able to get it for free. Still am, because of Xfinity Rewards. But, when it comes to paying that much for the service, I can say that I wouldn't. At least I don't think I would. It has some good stuff, but I don't watch it enough to pay for it.

Amazon and the NBA

The NBA has a streaming home: Amazon.

The Atlantic reports that Amazon and the NBA have reached an agreement that would make Amazon a major streaming partner fo the league:

It is expected that Prime Video’s package will include significant regular-season and postseason games, perhaps even some conference finals. The anticipation is that the final contract will be for at least a decade and begin the 2025-2026 season.

ESPN/ABC, as the website Puck reported Thursday, also has a framework of a deal with the expectations that an agreement will be completed. ESPN/ABC is expected to keep the NBA Finals on its networks for the duration of its deals. Like Amazon, ESPN’s new contract also is expected to be at least a decade in length.

All of the details are not finalized yet, but all sides are under the expectations they will get done. The NBA, Amazon and ESPN all declined to comment.

My Streaming Life has never had much basketball as a part. It's not a sport I watch, much as ice hockey and auto racing aren't sports I watch. But for those that are fans of the game, this is big news. Amazon is trying to be a big player in streaming sports. This is just another step in that direction.

Banks and privacy

Did you ever think that visiting your bank could impact  your privacy. Naomi Brockwell has some thoughts on that.

[YouTube]

My Streaming Life is exactly that: MY streaming life. Privacy is important, not just in streaming, but in everything.

A look at Philo

While I don't normally use a vMPVD service -- YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo, etc. -- I will say that Philo is one of the best bargains of those types of services. But there's a catch.

If you want local channels, or if you want news channels, or if you want sports channels, then Philo isn't for you. But if those aren't needed -- especially if you have an antenna -- then Philo might be the service for you.

Late last year, Luke Bouma of Cord Cutters News did a video breakdown of Philo, and it's worth another look, if you are looking to lower your streaming costs and don't need those expensive channels that are part of the higher priced services.

[YouTube]

My Streaming Life doesn't usually use a streaming cable service -- that's what a vMPD service really is -- but if I were to use one regularly, Philo would be a great choice.

A Disney FAST service?

There was a report last week that Disney may be rolling out a free ad-supported television service, or at least incorporate FAST channels into Disney Plus.

The Information reported that Disney was looking into FAST channels:

Disney is the latest to expand in this market. The company plans to create a series of such channels within its Disney+ streaming service that show programming in specific genres, including either Star Wars or Marvel-branded shows, according to people involved in the planning. Lots of other companies have already launched such channels, although typically as free offerings rather than within a subscription service. That includes Disney, which has launched similar channels within its ABC.com app, such as one dedicated to its "20/20" newsmagazine program and another to the daytime soap opera "General Hospital."

There aren't a lot of details about it. And nothing may come from it.

If Disney Plus does incorporate FAST channels, will this be watchable without a subscription, much like Freestream is with Sling TV?

I have no idea. My Streaming Life would like some new and interesting options. More of what's already available on Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Crackle, Plex, Freestream, and other channels isn't really bringing anything to the table. All it would do is keep Disney eyes within the Disney app. But that's probably the idea anyway.