Sub Fees Seen Growing Despite Over-the-Top Competition

摘要

While some analysts are alarmed about the effects over-the-top will have on the ability of programmers to generate revenue, others are confident that the trend of rising subscriber fees will continue, at least through 2015. The launch of Dish's Sling TV was a sign that OTT would truly arrive as an option for that growing group of consumers who have opted not to subscribe to traditional cable. Streaming is becoming more popular, particularly with younger viewers, and with more programming becoming available online, the bundle-long a predictably profitable cash cow-is being threatened. Following Sling's launch, Michael Nathanson, analyst with MoffetNathanson Research, enumerated the threats to the media ecosystem that existed at the end of 2014, and "officially" added OTT to his list.