General Discussion

eniwetok

(1,629 posts) Fri Apr 7, 2017, 09:57 PM Apr 2017

Why Didn't MSNBC Increase Its Viewer Base on DTV?

When we cut the cord and went from cable TV to antenna TV I found a wealth of virtual networks playing on subchannels of regular TV stations. Most of these virtual networks play old TV shows like Cozi TV or Antenna TV. But this was an opportunity for NBC to push a lower res version of MSNBC on NBC affiliates. I wonder why they didn't? I wrote MSNBC and Maddow and got no response.

It's a shame they lacked this foresight.

12 replies

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Why Didn't MSNBC Increase Its Viewer Base on DTV? (Original Post) eniwetok Apr 2017 OP

They don't want to alienate the huge cable and satellite carriers Hokie Apr 2017 #1

I realize that, but.... eniwetok Apr 2017 #2

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and democratisphere Apr 2017 #3

why wouldn't this increase viewship... therefore high ad rates? eniwetok Apr 2017 #4

The majority of cable TV programing is reality TV garbage. democratisphere Apr 2017 #5

last I looked Sling didn't include MSNBC eniwetok Apr 2017 #6

Sling does include MSNBC meow2u3 Apr 2017 #7

the sling webpage needs a better design eniwetok Apr 2017 #11

It may be perception and not reality but Hokie Apr 2017 #9

I'm familiar with Aereo... but MSNBC also has an interest in their own bottom line. eniwetok Apr 2017 #10

CBS has an excellent online new station...CBSN hexola Apr 2017 #8

Consider ESPN Hokie Apr 2017 #12

Hokie

(4,288 posts)

1. They don't want to alienate the huge cable and satellite carriers

Reply to eniwetok (Original post)

Fri Apr 7, 2017, 10:03 PM

Apr 2017

Last edited Sat Apr 8, 2017, 05:36 AM - Edit history (1)

DTV, Dish, Comcast and others pay for content like ESPN, Turner, Fox and MSNBC. NBC doesn't want to undercut the carriers paid audience by giving away the product. I suspect the subchannel OTA market is tiny and content providers wouldn't gain that much in market share. The OTA subchannels are just something local channels use to squeeze some ad revenue by offering cheap and crappy programming filled with local ads.

eniwetok

(1,629 posts)

2. I realize that, but....

Reply to Hokie (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 7, 2017, 10:07 PM

Apr 2017

If these carriers paid all the freight... there'd be no need for ads. It's those ads that tell us those carriers are NOT the only revenue source... and since ad rates are connected to viewership... having more viewers via DTV...

democratisphere

(17,235 posts)

3. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and

Reply to eniwetok (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 12:56 AM

Apr 2017

¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢¢

eniwetok

(1,629 posts)

4. why wouldn't this increase viewship... therefore high ad rates?

Reply to democratisphere (Reply #3)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 09:29 AM

Apr 2017

I doubt anyone would drop their cable just because they could get MSNBC free over the air on DTV. So I doubt they'd lose cable fee income. All this could do is increase viewership.

democratisphere

(17,235 posts)

5. The majority of cable TV programing is reality TV garbage.

Reply to eniwetok (Reply #4)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 09:42 AM

Apr 2017

MSNBC has a lot of value with their cult. More revenue with ads and cable fees. Sling TV offers a news package that includes MSNBC for an additional $5.00/month.

eniwetok

(1,629 posts)

6. last I looked Sling didn't include MSNBC

Reply to democratisphere (Reply #5)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 09:47 AM

Apr 2017

Oops... I see it now as an extra package... thanks for the tip! We've been considering Sling. But I agree that MSNBC is an odd channel. It has it's liberal mouthpieces... but they're not allowed, it seems, to discuss certain issues that threaten corporate interests... like TPP

meow2u3

(24,764 posts)

7. Sling does include MSNBC

Reply to eniwetok (Reply #6)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 10:43 AM

Apr 2017

You have to order the Sling Blue package and add the News Extra add-on for an extra $5 to get it.

eniwetok

(1,629 posts)

11. the sling webpage needs a better design

Reply to meow2u3 (Reply #7)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 11:00 PM

Apr 2017

One has to look at each tier to see all the available options. For example the news package on Sling Orange doesn't even mention MSNBC. One has to look at the Blue tier AND then look at the news package.

That's just bad web design... and it makes no sense.

And they need to dump ESPN from the orange and put it in a sports an add on...

All I want is news and documentaries. I don't want shitty fluff channels.

Hokie

(4,288 posts)

9. It may be perception and not reality but

Reply to eniwetok (Reply #4)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 10:41 PM

Apr 2017

If you were cable company paying programming fees to MSNBC would you want them to give away what you are paying to provide? Content providers and carriers have been ruthless trying to stamp out free TV. That is why they killed Aereo with legal actions. (Google it).

eniwetok

(1,629 posts)

10. I'm familiar with Aereo... but MSNBC also has an interest in their own bottom line.

Reply to Hokie (Reply #9)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 10:48 PM

Apr 2017

And since it's their content... and if MSNBC is broadcast as a subchannel on an NBC affiliate....

See where this is going?

hexola

(4,835 posts)

8. CBS has an excellent online new station...CBSN

Reply to eniwetok (Original post)

Sat Apr 8, 2017, 10:47 AM

Apr 2017

But its not on TV!

http://www.cbsnews.com/live/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac7b

Streams live 24/7 - they do live spots and some analysis.

Resolution isnt a factor (OTA is has the best HD) - content/distribution is probably the hangup...

Hokie

(4,288 posts)

12. Consider ESPN

Reply to eniwetok (Original post)

Sun Apr 9, 2017, 07:54 AM

Apr 2017

ESPN is owned by Disney who also owns ABC. The have been bleeding subscribers as people cut the cord. You would think it would be natural for them to put their programming on sub-channels and/or stream content over the Internet. How about all that advertising revenue? However, they do not use an ABC affiliate sub-channels. Yes, they have Watch ESPN to stream content. But guess what? You have to be a subscriber to one of the satellite or cable providers to see the live content.* The protect the cable and satellite providers because that is where their bread is buttered.

This may change over time as more and more people cut the cord and the big cable and satellite providers lose clout. We are not their yet.

*I think Sling might be one exception.

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