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Will U.S. Pay-TV Industry's Distressing Times Continue?
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Research firm SNL Kagan recently predicted that the U.S. pay-TV industry (consisting of cable, satellite and IPTV operators) will lose approximately 10.8 million customers by 2021. Total pay-TV subscribers will be around 82.3 million at that time, which will be 20% less than the industry’s historical high level.
In terms of customer retention, legacy pay-TV operators are yet to cope with the onslaught of low-cost online video streaming service providers. In the last ten years, the internal dynamics of the pay-TV market have gradually shifted from legacy pay-TV offerings to low-cost over-the-top (OTT) service providers.
The strong presence of online video streaming providers is posing a significant threat to the existing pay-TV business model. Video offering, which represented the core business function of cable TV operators, seems to be slipping out of their hands fast.
In order to remain competitive in the market, pay-TV operators stared offering Internet TV with selected TV channels at cheap rate. Technically, Internet TV is similar to pay-TV offerings. Its shows can be viewed using a broadband connection and mobile gadgets like tablets, smartphones, Roku box and smart TV, to name a few.
Major pay-TV operators, such as AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) , DISH Network Corp. and Sony Corp. have already launched their Internet TV services. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ - Free Report) and Comcast Corp. (CMCSA - Free Report) are the latest entrants. Most of these companies are offering both legacy pay-TV as well as Internet TV services with selected TV channels at lower costs. AT&T, DISH and Sony carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Verizon has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) while Comcast holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here
Interestingly, a few days ago, another research firm, Strategy Analytics, estimated that major pay-TV operators who offer both traditionally managed TV services and next-generation online services will hold nearly 80% of the market share till 2022. They will continue to do so despite facing intensified competition from low-cost OTT service providers.
Nevertheless, pay-TV operators are yet to find out an appropriate trade-off between these two types of services. Making online ventures more attractive is resulting in more subscribers for the new services at the expense of the traditional pay-TV business model. Ultimately, the cord cutting due to Internet TV is yet to stop, which is currently the biggest threat for pay-TV operators.
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Will U.S. Pay-TV Industry's Distressing Times Continue?
Research firm SNL Kagan recently predicted that the U.S. pay-TV industry (consisting of cable, satellite and IPTV operators) will lose approximately 10.8 million customers by 2021. Total pay-TV subscribers will be around 82.3 million at that time, which will be 20% less than the industry’s historical high level.
In terms of customer retention, legacy pay-TV operators are yet to cope with the onslaught of low-cost online video streaming service providers. In the last ten years, the internal dynamics of the pay-TV market have gradually shifted from legacy pay-TV offerings to low-cost over-the-top (OTT) service providers.
The strong presence of online video streaming providers is posing a significant threat to the existing pay-TV business model. Video offering, which represented the core business function of cable TV operators, seems to be slipping out of their hands fast.
In order to remain competitive in the market, pay-TV operators stared offering Internet TV with selected TV channels at cheap rate. Technically, Internet TV is similar to pay-TV offerings. Its shows can be viewed using a broadband connection and mobile gadgets like tablets, smartphones, Roku box and smart TV, to name a few.
Major pay-TV operators, such as AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) , DISH Network Corp. and Sony Corp. have already launched their Internet TV services. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ - Free Report) and Comcast Corp. (CMCSA - Free Report) are the latest entrants. Most of these companies are offering both legacy pay-TV as well as Internet TV services with selected TV channels at lower costs. AT&T, DISH and Sony carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Verizon has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) while Comcast holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here
Interestingly, a few days ago, another research firm, Strategy Analytics, estimated that major pay-TV operators who offer both traditionally managed TV services and next-generation online services will hold nearly 80% of the market share till 2022. They will continue to do so despite facing intensified competition from low-cost OTT service providers.
Nevertheless, pay-TV operators are yet to find out an appropriate trade-off between these two types of services. Making online ventures more attractive is resulting in more subscribers for the new services at the expense of the traditional pay-TV business model. Ultimately, the cord cutting due to Internet TV is yet to stop, which is currently the biggest threat for pay-TV operators.
Zacks' Hidden Trades
While we share many recommendations and ideas with the public, certain moves are hidden from everyone but selected members of our portfolio services. Would you like to peek behind the curtain today and view them?
Starting now, for the next month, I invite you to follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time from value to momentum...from stocks under $10 to ETF to option movers...from insider trades to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises (we've called them with 80%+ accuracy). You can even look inside portfolios so exclusive that they are normally closed to new investors. Click here for Zacks' secret trade>>