Why don't American TV stations have live streams?

[kevbo]

For example, CNN, ABC, etc. CNN has live streaming, but its only of press conferences, not their actual channel. I can't imagine their advertisers would care because they'd get more exposure and it would only benefit them if I can watch more Wolf Blitzer. The only people who might care are the cable TV companies.

I suspect it has to do with US law or cable company contracts because Al-Jazeera and NHK both have streams, although I know at least Al-Jazeera is broadcasted in the US.

 

[Skip]

For example, CNN, ABC, etc. CNN has live streaming, but its only of press conferences, not their actual channel. I can't imagine their advertisers would care because they'd get more exposure and it would only benefit them if I can watch more Wolf Blitzer. The only people who might care are the cable TV companies.

I suspect it has to do with US law or cable company contracts because Al-Jazeera and NHK both have streams, although I know at least Al-Jazeera is broadcasted in the US.

I suspect it is because of contracts with cable companies.

Sent from my iPad 2 using iPF

 

[The Alternative]

You can live stream about 50 channels using the Time Warner Cable app fond in iTunes. Of course, you have to be a TW subscriber and you can only do so on your iPad in your own home. But, it's a start...

 

[NumbLock]

Want to know what is funny? In Europe we can get almost everything, including CNN and all the Hollywood TV shows and movies that Americans can't at home.

Write your congressman. Big media: suck it, your competing with free.

 

[normanj]

ABC has streaming on demand for most of its shows. It's a free app.

The picture quality is quite good. There are commercials, but far fewer than what would be on broadcast (an hour long show broadcast is about 42 min show content and 18 min commericals - the same show with streaming video is 42 min content and 8 min commercials. Not bad considering it is completely free.

 

[Skip]

PBS also has a great app for streaming a great deal of their shows. I've became a very big fan of Nova.

Sent from my iPad 2 using iPF

 

[Pingles]

The biggest problem is they all still fear the Internet.

It's going to be quite a while until the executives at these companies are young enough to understand that the Internet is not just a home to torrent sites that steal their content.

 

[gray_mouse]

Your cable box / tv has build in mic for monitoring, NSA don't want you live streaming. Look at Alex Jones radio, number one in the world. Main stream US media can't touch Alex Jones and infowars.com because they are controlled, and people in charge want some things to remain a certain way. No more, no less.

 

[snoitan]

I suspect it is because of contracts with cable companies.

I wouldn't be surprised if that is the reason. Most of them allow on-demand access to their popular programs, including ABC's app, CBS' website, etc. FOX seems to be the most anti-streaming, with Hulu being the main place where you can watch their programming if you missed it.

 

[kevbo]

I guess we have our answer.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/04/time-warner-viacom-ipad.html

Viacom is suing Time Warner over their live TV app. Weird coincidence.

These apps only work in the person's house via their subscriber broadband. To be fair, it wouldn't be too hard to watch it anywhere with a VPN.