Video streaming is the latest innovation in digital entertainment, and it is here to stay. Today, people want to access movies and their favorite shows while on the go via their mobile devices. This need has led to the growth of video streaming companies. They are now some of the fastest growing – and most lucrative – organizations in the entertainment industry. And as expected, everyone wants a piece of the action. New services are coming online every day. The best new services of 2017 are outlined below.
1) AT&T Video Streaming Services
The first new video streaming service is from Telecom giant AT&T. It is joining the lucrative streaming industry by releasing new streaming services marketed as DIRECTV NOW. According to John Stankey, who heads AT&T Entertainment Group, the new service is aimed at people who value premium content and TV freedom. He adds that regardless of how you love to watch TV, be it at home or on a phone, DIRECTV NOW is “TV your way”.
Unlike streaming giants such as Netflix, AT&T has the advantage of having a mobile platform. And, it intends to use this platform to its advantage. Stankey says that after signing up, you won’t need to use your allotted data nor sign any annual contracts. In addition, there is no need for satellite dishes or set-top-boxes. And better yet, the DIRECTV NOW streaming service is compatible with most mobile devices and web browsers.
2) Amazon
Amazon.com is another company eager to challenge Netflix’s dominance of the industry. The Seattle based company recently announced its intention to offer video streaming as a stand-alone service. And in what is regarded as a direct attempt to undercut Netflix, Amazon’s service costs only $8.99 a month, less than the cheapest offering from Netflix. For a prime membership viewing plan, you add two dollars to your monthly subscription.
3) YouTube Red
YouTube Red, Google’s latest pay video service, has gained a lot of traction since its release in late 2015. It already accounts for 3% of pay TV viewers and the number of subscribers is growing. As a result, this $10-per-month service is giving CBS, Sony and Dish Network a run for their money.
But despite its phenomenal growth, YouTube Red still trails the industry giants – Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. So, in a desperate bid to close the gap, Google has announced plans to add a kid’s app the service. The app has no ads and allows kids to download videos to their phones to watch later.
4) VIDGO
This is the youngest offering on this list. The VIDGO release date is set for the first quarter of 2017. It, therefore, has a lot of ground to cover, and stiff competition to overcome. But VIDGO has a few tricks up its sleeves that might just give it the edge it so desperately needs. While most video streaming services offer good content, they lack in innovation.
And this is where VIDGO comes in. Besides streaming services, it intends to offer users access to any television station. Yes, that includes movies, live channels and local TV, and all in full, high-resolution. How can it achieve this? Although VIDGO is keeping its cards close to its chest, it has revealed its approach and it is simple: it has designed an app.
The app has another advantage which users are bound to love. You can configure services like Roku and stream content from any game console, mobile device or tablet. Furthermore, VIDGO has a cloud-based storage service where you can store your favorite shows.
Conclusion
Video streaming is the latest innovation in digital entertainment, and it is here to stay. Today, people want to access movies and their favorite shows while on the go via their mobile devices. This need has propelled video streaming companies into some of the fastest growing – and most lucrative – organizations in the entertainment industry. And everyone wants a piece of the action. For this reason, new services are coming online every day. The best of them are outlined below.