PBS and Amazon team up
PBS and Amazon are joining forces to launch over 150 local TV stations and the PBS Kids Channel ad-free as FAST channels on Prime Video. The programming will stream free to Prime Video viewers in the U.S. making it the first time it is available for free on a leading streaming service. In addition, there will be two new FAST channels - PBS Drama and PBS Documentaries available for a limited time and a “pop-up” FAST channel featuring a rotating selection of classic PBS shows.
The Circana Take:
- Stitching together programming from 150 local stations and building the tech for an ad-free FAST service was a notable tech investment for Amazon. This shows the level of importance the company is placing on its linear programming.
- The irony of an ad-free, Free Ad Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel isn’t lost on us. Rather, we’re focused on watching the latter innings of the re-bundling of TV channels.
Disney+ will add free ESPN content
Disney+ will add an ESPN widget to the streaming service and add free ESPN+ content including live sports, games, studio shows, series and documentaries in early December. Subscribers to all three Disney services (Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+) will get full access to all ESPN+ content while within Disney+. Disney+ only subscribers will also have access to ESPN content which could entice them to sign up for the ESPN+ bundled package.
The Circana Take:
- The broader content offing and stronger tie in with sports programming is targeted at creating higher engagement and less churn.
- Rewind to the PBS comment above. The same applies here regarding the re-bundling of TV channels.
Sling TV price hike
Sling TV is increasing the cost of its packages by $6 starting late next month. The company last increased the price by $5 in March 2023. The Sling Orange and Blue plans will cost $46/month, while the Orange-and-Blue combined tier leaps to $61/month. The Orange package offers thirty-five channels, Blue has forty-three and the combined has sixty-eight, making that the best deal. Despite the increase, Sling TV remains a less expensive option than many other competitors such as YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV.
The Circana Take:
- Growing programming cost continue to get passed onto the subscriber, as with any other TV service. However, the linear TV package, virtual or traditional cable, will struggle with this more as viewers increasing see this as a less attractive way to subscribe.