DC to Save Comics

DC has been tailing behind Marvel for the past decade,at least. To combat Marvel's dominance,DC is launching a new streaming service,DC Universe

| Posted by:

Category: Entertainment, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology | No Comments


DC to Save Comics
DC has been tailing behind Marvel for the past decade, at least. There have been a couple of bright spots—Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, V for Vendetta, and The Watchmen. Maybe a couple more, but NOT Man of Steel or the Justice League. I have yet to see Wonder Woman, so the jury is still out. Marvel, on the other hand, has created a powerhouse, a self-sustaining machine of adventure, excitement, and story. Based on the concept of superheroes jumping in and out of the narratives of other superheroes, Marvel has, pardon the pun, written the comic book for how to monopolize on years of fandom. They’ve also figured out how to bring in new fans. There is still the argument that the once glorious and awesome fringe society of comic book readers has been diluted with commercialism, but sadly, this is where we are. To answer this, DC is launching a new streaming service.

DC’s New Streaming Service

Coming this fall, DC will launch DC Universe- the home for content based on DC comic book titles, as well as a vast selection of DC comic books to stream and read. Although there are properties on other networks, the new service will have options to watch those too while they remain on their respective networks. They’ll be launching original content for their service as well. One thing that makes this truly different than other streaming services is the abundance of comics available. These comics, which the properties were based on, can be streamed to various devices for reading pleasure. Just imagine- watching a show based on the Green Lantern, then reading from a curated list of issues to get the full backstory of the superhero and his foes. And doing this with your friends. Though it seems farfetched, I wouldn’t mind joining a few comic geeks for an evening of reading comic books—on a 4k big screen—and discussing them afterward. It’s a strange concept, but then again, we’re living in a time when binge-watching movies and TV is the norm. Marvel has already launched Marvel Unlimited, a platform to stream their own comic books for a fee. None of their movies and shows are there, however. There are links and synopses for the programs based on Marvel titles. The big draw for this service is the curated lists, character encyclopedia, and how they tie in with the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. DC is going one step further and putting all that content together in one place.

Will this Save Comic Books?

Being a part of the retail world, comic book stores have been suffering in the recent retail-pocalypse. Last year sales dropped 8%. While physical comic books have been losing their draw, they’ve also begun to transition into a prestige item. This works well for the niche audience that still buys physical issues. The stores, unfortunately, will not be able to sustain themselves in this way. By installing a big screen TV and buying the top subscription, comic book stores could possibly use this to level off their losses. It’s a suggestion coming from someone with no business expertise, but it’s a creative idea at least. With DC Universe, they’ll be able to get all the content in the same place. We may soon see “Comic Book Viewing” nights at local comic book stores, and even more farfetched, in theaters.

DC or Marvel?

Although I was once a die-hard Marvel fan, I do enjoy the big names of the DC universe. With the quality of their recent films, however, I’ve not been that impressed. Then again, I wasn’t happy with how the original X-Men Trilogy was handled (thanks Brett Rattner!) When Marvel finally got a clue and started writing stories that didn’t alienate their fanbase, I was happy. The content was based on the Avengers subset, which wasn’t my bag growing up, but I was familiar with it at least. Now that The Avengers is a big thing going on, I know that each movie will at least be entertaining, even if I don’t know the entire mythos behind the central hero. It’s the same with DC. The last great DC superhero movie was The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight Rises was good yet fell short of the quality of its predecessor. Then again, it was the last movie in the trilogy, always a hard spot for a creative team to handle. Heath Ledger had also passed away, necessitating Nolan to shift his direction in the overall story arc. For what it was, it was good. Since then DC has decided Zack Snyder was the one to take charge of all their films. Even after his films didn’t do so well at the box office. Maybe part of it was their insistence that they match Marvel in their scope of the story? Either way, DC has been playing catch up with Marvel for a while. This streaming service may be the one thing that turns it around for them. It’ll be small, but if there are enough early-adopters to it, the new streaming service will gain steam. It’s also impossible for Marvel to keep their momentum going as they have been. Eventually, Marvel’s bubble will burst or they’ll switch to a different method of turning their titles into live-action entertainment. Virtual reality maybe? DC, in the meantime, needs to shape up with their DC Extended Universe and they’ll be able to swoop at the moment things turn for Marvel. This streaming service, DC Universe, can be part of that. Of course, all of this will be for nothing if you’re not able to connect and stream the shows and comic books to your favorite devices. Find the best Spectrum internet in your zip code, as well as save yourself some money. Then get to reading!

The 1 Way to Succeed on Twitch and YouTube

Monetizing a live stream is seen as a legitimate career. Simply set up an account and just be yourself. It’s…not that easy. Here's one way to make it work!

| Posted by:

Category: Entertainment, Gaming, Humor, Service Providers, Streaming, Technology, Tips | No Comments


The 1 Way to Succeed on Twitch and YouTube
Monetizing a live-stream is seen as a legitimate career these days. Simply set up an account on Twitch, YouTube, or both, and just be yourself. It’s…not that easy. For those who assume acting is easy, simply ask any aspiring actor if they think acting can be done by anyone. Hopefully, they’re not offended and will just laugh at you. The same with comedy. To quote the great Robin Williams’ “Of course you have to know comedy. Because if you tell a joke and they don’t laugh, then you know tragedy.” Streaming content is the newest version of creating entertainment. The upside is that it’s easy to get into. The downside is that this creates a saturated market. Voices are easily lost in a market that’s brimming with people trying to get attention. To get those coveted followers it takes a lot of time and effort. Without a direction, however, even time and effort can be wasted.

Know Your Topic

I’ll admit, I have no skills when it comes to playing online games. The last time I touched a Halo game I barely scored one kill. When it comes to researching, organizing, and telling a story, that’s where my real abilities lie. Thus, I’ve given up on video games and instead have focused on reading books, reading about writing, writing, talking with other writers, editing, and writing some more. The upside of all this is that I’ve now landed a job where someone pays me to do this all day. It’s still a challenge. Putting words on the screen every day requires hard work and discipline. Working through horrible drafts is just part of the process of getting to the right one. Now let’s replace writing with live-streaming. The same advice applies; keep working at it. You’ll also learn some surprising things about yourself. For example; my boss asked me how long it would take to complete an article consisting of 800 words. I ballparked it at four hours. He blinked at me and said, “You’re the first person to use a number.” And I got the job. You don’t have to be an expert, you just need to know more than the average person.

Create Genuine Connections

This one has always proved difficult for me. Since I’m good with writing and rewriting, and editing, and rewriting, talking to people face-to-face can be daunting. It may seem obvious, but making friends wasn’t my forte as a child. When I worked to make people like me, I came across as a fake. And worse, desperate. No one wants to be friends, or do business with, a desperate person. And those that do are going to take advantage of you. Instead, working to find a personae or a particular schtick helped make it easier to interact and relate to strangers. It was subtle at first, and at times overblown. With time I honed it. It’s not as difficult as it used to be and I still work on it from time-to-time. By being genuine you create genuine relationships. Genuine relationships lead to a solid fan base.

Do Your Research

Once you’ve discovered what works for you, hone it, develop it, work on it. This means, as bad as it sounds, that you much do research. Yes, research. Looking for relevant information and data that are relevant to your topic takes time. If you’re at least interested in the topic, then researching it will seem less arduous. In fact, it may even be fun. I enjoy reading books not just for the stories, but to see how the author tells them. Soon I plan on taking Malcolm Gladwell’s Masterclass on writing. If you neglect research, you run the risk of losing your audience. This links back to the “being a fake” mentioned earlier. The best comedians still do it. Jerry Seinfeld, when his hit sitcom ended, went back to doing standup. It helped him figure out new material, find what worked for him, and as he says, get back to his roots.

Then You Can Think of Monetizing

Technology, though amazing, does lull us into this false belief that things will happen quickly. We stream movies and music instantly. Every time you tap an icon on your smartphone you get a little dopamine rush from completing a task and completing it quickly. Getting into writing has taken me years. There were times I considered quitting. Thankfully, I’d started, and quit, a lot of things before then. I'm tired of repeating that process. I’m also a father now and constantly “searching for myself” does not work well with trying to raise a child. It also helps that I enjoy telling and sharing stories. I’ve also been told I’m good at it. And now someone is paying me to do it. Took about three years to get here, but better late than never, right? So if you decide that a career as a streaming personality or entertainer is for you, then go for it. Be prepared for a long road filled with tough times. In the meantime, to ensure your connection is fast so you can stream uninterrupted, check out Spectrum internet bundle deals.   “You can start any ‘Monty Python’ routine and people finish it for you. Everyone knows it like shorthand.” —Robin Williams

Switching to a Hobby

Who'd have thought that a Marine would learn knitting while on active duty? This odd pastime reveals much more about the benefits of a hobby.

| Posted by:

Category: Entertainment, Technology, This & That, Tips | No Comments


Switching to a Hobby
The United States Marine Corps is known for their tough attitude and warrior ethos. Marines are trained to fight and to endure the toughest of conditions. Imagine my surprise when a friend of mine, while an active-duty Marine, detailed that it was here, amid the most ardent defenders of our Nation, that he learned to knit. Knitting? I was much younger at the time and very ignorant, so I laughed. He smiled back and told me it was therapeutic. Even ten years later he’s still knitting as a pastime. Part of the reason, as it was explained to me, was because the action of knitting put his mind at ease and kept his hands busy, causing his body to relax. It’s still unclear to me if this was part of his boot camp training or he’d learned it from another Marine. What is clear is the concept of a hobby that provides respite and comfort.

Good for the Body

When the nerves are jangling, or something is keeping your mind occupied, a hobby is a good way to distract yourself. There is the argument that taking your focus off the problem won’t help you find an answer, this isn’t true. By keeping our mind locked in on a problem that we’re trying to fix, we’re using up all our brain power, and not allowing our mind to process what’s going on. Taking our focus off an issue, even for a short time, allows the creative side of our minds to handle it while the front of our brains can handle something else. Therefore, the advice to “sleep on it” is so helpful. Our minds will bounce the issue around our subconscious while our bodies get some rest. Upon waking the creative side has had a chance to come up with possible solutions. The downside is sometimes our problems crop up in our dreams. For the Marine mentioned above, knitting distracted him from issues he was facing and allowed him to keep a cool head. Hobbies, by and large, have this effect on us. This distraction is helpful as we’re able to distance ourselves from problems in our lives, our jobs, and with our families. But there are more benefits to hobbies, for now, let’s focus on implementing one.

Switching to a Hobby

The Switch Framework is helpful when it comes to implementing a new hobby into your life. First, find a hobby you enjoy. This is how you’ll motivate the elephant. Once you’ve figured out a pastime that you look forward to, head to the internet to find resources. With its ability to connect people all over the world, the internet is a great place to find fellow enthusiasts. These hobbyists are always eager to lend a helping hand, give advice, or share ideas with their passions. This is how you’re direct the rider and shape the path. There’s a hidden benefit to all this. As the internet of today seems to be a swamp filled with angry people all eager to scream their opinions, as well as blast those of others, hobbyists are the opposite. Instead of trying to scare or berate, hobbyists instead are eager to “talk shop.” It’s not about winning a political debate for them, it’s about helping a fellow enthusiast enjoy the craft.

Which Hobby to Pick?

Much like my marine friend, there are hobbies that occupy the hands; knitting, crochet, basket weaving, etc. There’s also hobbies for history buffs, kids, crafty people, outdoor adventure seekers, sports junkies, music lovers, nature lovers, families, hobbies to sharpen your mind, and also, hobbies that can earn you money. The key here is to find something that you like to do, is relatively easy to get started, and can fit into your schedule. The scheduling part will be hard at first, as you’re going to be figuring out the nuances of the hobby, as well as how it fits into the nuances of your life. Refer back to the Switch Framework, as well as relying on your fellow enthusiasts to keep you going. Getting started is the most exciting part of a hobby and can also be the hardest. Once the newness wears off, sticking with it can get difficult. This may also be a sign that this hobby isn’t for you. That’s okay. Just as it’s important to find what you like, it’s also important to find out what you don’t like.

Connect to a Bigger Network

Finding a network of fellow hobbyists can make all the difference between discovering, and sticking, with a new hobby. New worlds await you as you begin your search for your new hobby. Before you do, check out the best Spectrum internet bundles. By bundling your internet you can secure a better connection as well as save some cash for that new hobby!

2 Million Reasons Netflix May Be Losing Their Edge

Netflix has spent over $8,000,000,000 (that’s billion with a B),racked up 112 Emmy Nominations…but they may be losing their edge.

| Posted by:

Category: Business Internet, Cable, Entertainment, News, Service Providers, Streaming, This & That, TV | No Comments


2 Million Reasons Netflix May Be Losing Their Edge
Netflix has spent over $8,000,000,000 (that’s billion with a B), racked up 112 Emmy Nominations…but they may be losing their edge. Despite their big push in creating original content and knocking HBO off their throne, they’ve missed their forecast of new subscribers for the second quarter of 2018, by 2 million. This has happened three times in the past ten years, so it’s not as shocking as one would think. Of course, Netflix’s stock dropped more than 14% in response to this. And now executives for Netflix, as well as outside business analysts, are asking why this happened.

Whose Fault Is It?

The blame, according to executives, lies on poor internal forecasting…and not the recent hike in prices for new and veteran subscribers. Forecasting is, at best, a guess. Meteorologists for the local news are guessing every day that the weather will turn out a certain way. There’s sophisticated technology, models, and years of training that go into it. Underneath it all, however, they are still guessing. Analysts in the world of business and finance are making a prediction when they forecast the future. And if we know anything about the future, we know it’s going to be wildly different than what we assume it will be. To blame a miss of 2 million subscribers on poor internal forecasting is a little short-sighted. Because when the weather turns, do you go after your local meteorologist?

What Can They Do About It?

While Netflix didn’t gain those 2 million new subscribers, there hasn’t been any news that they’ve lost any either. Netflix retains its current subscriber base of 130 million globally. They’re still a powerhouse to deal with and after besting HBO in Emmy Nominations, they’ve done well in positioning themselves to finish strong for 2018. Now, HBO is working on reclaiming that dominance and has already laid out their first weapon; Joss Whedon. On July 16th, it was announced that Whedon’s new show, The Nevers, will be on HBO. The network beat out Netflix in a bidding war to get the show and ordered the series directly…without ever seeing a pilot. HBO is taking the smart path by focusing on new content. Netflix can do the same by doubling-down on their content. By keeping their subscribers satisfied with their shows, the streaming giant can still grow their subscribers organically. Because a satisfied viewer is likely to recommend the show to their friends. For Netflix to artificially raise their number of subscribers, they should set their sites a little more realistically.

Think Strategically

Without those 2 million subscribers, the streaming giant will lose a little bit of momentum. Not a lot, just a little. There’s no harm in being cautious though, as the executives at Netflix have a right to be. What they can do is get ready for awards season. Netflix can continue to campaign for their shows that helped them get those 112 Emmy nominations. They’re in a good spot to walk home with the most wins this year and deal an even bigger blow to their biggest competitor, HBO. There’s also the Golden Globes coming up. These awards shows seem to mirror each other when it comes to nominations, so don’t be surprised if Netflix beats out HBO for Golden Globes as well. Netflix should keep on campaigning like they normally do.

The Forecast for Netflix

So long as Netflix doesn’t panic or commit a knee-jerk reaction, they’ll be fine. History is rife with companies, and people, who reacted to something small and created a big problem. Just think of The Pig War. In 1859, a single hog was caught rooting in a farmer’s potatoes. To save his potatoes, the farmer, an American, shot the hog, owned by a British man. Tensions rose when one accused the other of foul play. Soon the hog’s death became an act of aggression by Americans’ towards the British. US soldiers were sent to the island, British Navy ships were sent to bolster the British merchants there. All because a hog got out and ate a few potatoes. The executives of Netflix just need to keep their cool. Things like this can happen and it’s important to remember that this was based on forecasted data. One shouldn’t invest too much in the predictions of the future from a single source. What Netflix should be interested in is HBO’s plan to reclaim their throne. As the networks continue to battle it out, their main weapons will be content- shows. The harder they work to beat the other, the better the shows will be. If this turns out to not be the case, then someone else will swoop in and claim dominance. Be it Netflix, HBO, Amazon, or someone else, make sure you don’t miss your favorite shows by checking out the best Spectrum internet deals. You can also save yourself some money in the process!

HBO's One New Weapon: Joss Whedon

In recent posts,HBO has been dealing with bad news. It may have found their one weapon in the coming retaliation against Netflix. His name is Joss Whedon.

| Posted by:

Category: Business Internet, Cable, Entertainment, News, This & That, TV | No Comments


HBO's One New Weapon: Joss Whedon
Previous posts, like this one and this one, have been detailing HBO’s current woes and challenges as they navigate their new world that’s post-merger, and post Netflix. And yet, HBO keeps on surprising. As of Friday, Joss Whedon’s newest show, The Nevers, will be on HBO. This may be their edge in the upcoming retaliation for Netflix edging them out in the count for Emmy Nominations.

Where’s Whedon Been?

Joss Whedon, for those who haven’t been paying attention, has been behind some of the biggest entertainment hits in recent history. He had humble beginnings writing for a few sitcoms in the late eighties and early nineties. His first big-screen writing credit is Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. This cult hist spawned a TV show of the same name and a spinoff series, Angel. From there, Whedon had a string of shows that lasted one, maybe two, seasons before the brilliant minds in Hollywood decided to pull the plug. The most famous of these was Firefly. Executive meddling got int he way of its greatness and the sci-fi western floundered. When it ended a fan writing campaign was enough to get a movie made—Serenity. If you want to see a younger Nathan Fillion in an iconic role, as well as lead an amazing cast of characters and actors at their best then watch Firefly. Other, lesser-known but equally entertaining shows that Whedon created were Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog. Well worth your time. Luckily, Whedon’s writing and directing skills didn’t end there as he was tapped to helm the first two Avengers movies. These cornerstones of the Marvel Cinematic Universe grossed big in the box office and put Whedon up there, where he belongs, next to other great names in screenwriting and directing. He also created and produced the ABC Studios Agents of Shields, a weekly drama that tied together the various parts, introduced minor characters, kept the hype of the MCU going. Unfortunately, the stress of working within a complicated universe, and probably some executive meddling again, cause Whedon to go on hiatus. He didn’t disappear entirely, he just took some time off and wasn’t seen for a little bit. DC, finally making a smart move, hired him to help write the screenplay for the first Justice League movie. Now if DC could just get a coherent continuity going, they may just be able to contend with Marvel!

Back to Whedon

He is most well-known for his campy sci-fi and fantasy shows, as well as his involvement in The Avengers powerhouse. That’s not all he’s done though. There’s plenty of movies to his name, but his best writing work is by far is The Cabin in The Woods. Bradley Whitford, Richard Jenkins, and a pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth show us their acting chops thanks to the superb script penned by Whedon and Drew Goddard. If you’re looking for both clever humor and truly thrilling horror, this movie delivers. It’s also one of those rare gems that you wish they could make a sequel out of but know that it would be impossible to do. Just watch the movie, trust me, you’ll understand.

What’s Whedon Doing Now?

Thanks to his name carrying clout, when Whedon expressed interest in shopping around a new show, a bidding war erupted. HBO won that war, bringing Whedon to their network and quite possibly putting the odds in their favor again as they combat Netflix and Amazon. The Nevers, described as “an epic science-fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world,” was greenlit before a pilot was very written. That’s just the kind of clout that Whedon carries these days. While we only have this short description to go on, we know a lot about Whedon’s style based on his previous shows and movies. First, we know he’s a master story-teller and will take his time to build the story. For those who keep with him, the ending is a sweet reward. Everyone else has to play catchup. Second, Whedon was able to create a vast and rich universe on very little money. Imagine what he could do with HBO backing him? Third, there are great actors, and then there are great writers who push great actors to another level. Nathan Fillion is a great actor. It's a true treat to watch him play the role of Captain Malcolm Reynolds. It's what has set him apart from the rest. One last thing- Whedon’s storytelling isn’t the same as the rest. While HBO is known for their gritty violence and blatant sexuality, Whedon will likely chart his own course. There’s no stopping him now that he’s on HBO. Whedon's a different creator though. He could decide that his story doesn’t need that to win our hearts and capture our imaginations. Aa Captain Reynolds says, “I aim to misbehave.”

How Long Do We Have to Wait?

As of this writing, the premiere date of The Nevers is unknown. Until then we’ll have to make do with reruns of Firefly, Agents of Shield, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Depending on your service provider, you can get access to all these titles and more. If not, make sure to check out the best Spectrum cable internet. You’ll be able to bundle both cable and internet. You'll also lower your bills while getting your mind blown by the cinematic mastery of Joss Whedon.   “I Think I can get it to go down.” “Do we want to go down?”