Audio Video News

TV has never been better thanks to the unprecedented number of streaming choices now available. But it’s also never been more frustrating due to an ever-changing landscape in of players and pricing, which seems to move in only one direction.

In the meantime, Americans continue to rejigger their streaming choices, even reviving canceled subscriptions in some cases. All of this has caused a prolonged period of reflection for the streaming powers-that-be to as they take a hard look at their business models in search of the best possible path forward — one that shows shareholders how the company is adapting to the new way of the world.

One of the outcomes is discussion around service bundles that address evolving consumer needs, according to Geir Skaaden, chief products and services officer for technology company Xperi, parent company of DTS and TiVo.

“As the video service industry continues to evolve in the years following the pandemic, it faces a unique challenge: balancing consumer fatigue from multiple subscriptions with their growing demand for diverse content,” he says.

At the same time, the rise of ad-supported video services is reshaping consumer options by offering new choices, including free channels and “subscription services are adopting smart bundling strategies to reduce churn rates and keep people onboard,” Skaaden adds.

“Broadband operators and media platforms are now uniquely positioned to create personalized service bundles — like what cable providers did in their heyday,” he continued. [Hmmm…. I don’t recall cable bundles ever offering true personalization. It’s always been more like, Pick the bundle that comes closest to what you want to watch and hope that one channel you want isn’t offered only in another, more expensive bundle.]

Skaaden expects to see an increase in bundles that blend free, ad-supported content with premium, subscription-based offerings, tailored to individual household preferences. “This approach will not only cater to varied entertainment needs but also offer a cost-effective, customized viewing experience. These personalized bundles will transform media consumption, aligning it more closely with individual lifestyles and choices.”

Enter MyBundle
You could wait for streaming services to come up with a bundle that works for you or… you could do it yourself, perhaps with the help of MyBundle, which I recently stumbled upon. The service helps you “find, manage, and watch streaming services.”

Here’s how it works: You answer a few questions, select channels you want, indicate whether you want a DVR option or a remote control, and enter your email address to receive MyBundle’s recommendation. (Don’t worry, the email part is optional.) Then you click on Next to see a list of personalized bundle options.

In the short test I conducted, I went through a quick and simple process of selecting channels I wanted from a list (with the option of searching for others) and answering a couple questions. When I finished, a list of “personalized bundles” appeared. At the top of the list was “All Your Channels” with the statement: While no one service gets you there, combining these two will get you all your channels. MyBundle recommended Hulu Live TV ($77) and AMC ($9) at a total monthly cost of $86. (I didn’t select any sports options, which would have driven the price up considerably.)

The second option delivered 94% of my desired channels by combining Sling ($40) and Paramount+ ($12) for a total monthly cost of $52. At the bottom of the page was a Build My Bundle section showing a list of 10 services (based on my input) with individual pricing so you can do your own mixing and matching.

MyBundle is worth checking out, especially if you’ve been thinking about changing up your streaming lineup or looking to lower that ever-escalating monthly entertainment bill.