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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.

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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!

Who Killed Your Wi-Fi?

It's Friday night,you turn on your favorite streaming service. Only to find your TV is stuck on the loading screen. Someone has killed your Wi-Fi. But who?

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Who Killed Your Wi-Fi?
It’s Friday night and you’re simultaneously turning on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu to catch the most recent binge-worthy show. This week’s flavor is...crime dramas. Yet, the TV is stuck on the loading screen. Someone has killed your Wi-Fi. The screen will only show the spinning wheel that never stops. Instead of loading your show it simply taunts you. Thanks to having watched a few police shows already, you’re confident in your detective skills to assess the evidence, round up suspects, and deliver the perpetrator to justice. It’s the Internet Service Provider. Plain and simple. Cue the end credits, no need for further investigation. Right?

Bring It Out Into the Open

Your badge isn’t on the line, but admit it, you jumped straight to the conclusion that your ISP killed your Wi-Fi. Stop and look around the room. Locate the Wi-Fi router. Is it tucked away in the corner? Set high up a shelf with books? Hidden behind your TV because you’re ashamed that it doesn’t fit with the overall aesthetic? Now is the time to move it somewhere closer to the middle of your house or apartment. Wi-Fi, like a sprinkler, does its best when it’s in the middle of the space and can be seen from each corner easily. An optimal location for it would be to install it on the ceiling. Obviously, this isn’t an option for everyone. There’s also the concern of having your Wi-Fi router hanging from the ceiling like a bat. While this option may not be feasible for most, work to locate a spot near the middle of your living space. Be it an apartment or home, there should be a spot near the center that you can use to set your router. Also, try to get it up as high as you can. Going back to the sprinkler metaphor; sprinklers cast the water out and it falls to the earth. So the higher the sprinkler, the greater the coverage of the lawn. Same with a Wi-Fi router, though the signal doesn’t fall like water, you’ll notice better reception when it is placed higher.

Appliances Are An Accomplice

Your Wi-Fi router, while sitting still and unassuming, is constantly being accosted as it tries to do its job--send and receive signals. Some of these suspects may be surprising to you.

Home appliances

This may seem obvious. Most appliances plug into the wall and are made out of metal. All that metal and electricity interfere with a Wi-Fi signal. In a way, they create their own little signals. They don’t mean to do it as they’re just doing a job as well. The problem can be exacerbated further with appliances now coming with their own Wi-Fi signals in an attempt to make homes “smarter.” Think of the refrigerators with touch screens and cameras inside. While these are meant to work with your personal Wi-Fi network, they can also end up taking more of the bandwidth and leaving you sitting there staring at the pinwheel of boredom.

Blinds

Some blinds are made of plastic or compressed board. And a lot are manufactured out of metal. Again, the metal is what will affect your Wi-Fi signal. On the flipside, there may be a new market here- “Interior Design that is both stylish and won’t kill your Wi-Fi!”

Mirrors

The reflective coating that gives mirrors their...mirror-ness, also bounce Wi-Fi signals off in haphazard directions.

Reinforced Concrete

The rebar inside of reinforced concrete will affect the Wi-Fi signal, as well as the dense nature of the concrete itself. This time it's not just the metal, but the concrete too.

Fish Tanks

Yes, there are comprised of metal too, but also a lot of water. So while Nemo is taking laps and plotting his escape, the water he’s swimming in is also making it difficult for your Wi-Fi signal to get through. Of course, you can’t take out all the metal in your home, nor can you leave the windows uncovered and tear down any walls. There will be obstacles to your Wi-Fi, but you can eliminate or lessen them by placing your router somewhere up high and near the center of your abode. There are also ways to extend your Wi-Fi signal.

The Butler Did It!

Those smart home devices mentioned earlier? Yeah, they could be the ones who killed your Wi-Fi, or they may be taking up a lot of the bandwidth. Earlier this year, it was revealed that these smart home devices were actually bogging down your home's Wi-Fi signals. A bug in the system caused a lot of data to be sent at once, impeding the Wi-Fi. Most of the kinks are being resolved right now, but don’t be surprised if your Wi-Fi is slow after you plug in your newest smart home device. There is good news; patches have been sent out in updates to fix the problem. So if you haven’t updated yet, this may be the reason. Or maybe those little boxes just got tired of you shouting at it? Maybe.

It's an Open and Shut Case

Thanks to buddy cop movies and police procedural shows we can solve the case of "who killed your Wi-Fi?" with confidence. But do not, and this is important, start trying to solve murder/arson/robbery cases on your own. Leave that up to the professionals! What it all boils down to is understanding the technology you use and how its affected by items in your home. This knowledge will ensure a proper solution to these “crimes.” The next time you see the spinning wheel of doom, take a moment to assess the room and figure out if the router just needs to be moved or if you have an appliance in the way? 
Looking to stream more police procedurals and crime dramas? Check out the best Spectrum internet deals.

4 Ways to Keep Rising Prices from Burning Up Your Wallet

Since a few streaming services have decided to raise their rates, this also creates optimal fire conditions in your wallet.

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4 Ways to Keep Rising Prices from Burning Up Your Wallet
With summer in full swing, temperatures rise. It’s not uncommon to see forest fires in more rural parts of the country. As the heat and the dry winds cause perfect conditions for fires to start. Since a few streaming services have decided to raise their rates, this also creates optimal fire conditions in your wallet.

Temperature Rising

Within the last week Playstation VUE, DirecTV have announced a price increase of at least $5 to their streaming services. It doesn’t help that Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Netflix have also announced price hikes in the last six months.

It’s not all bad

Despite no clear explanation for the price increase, Playstation VUE and DirecTV are still going to deliver the same great shows and live TV they always have…just at a little bit more of a price tag. These streaming services provide cable channels without the actual cables, which is a definite plus for some people. For example, FIFA’s World Cup is garnering lots of attention, even though it's already half-over. Since it’s being held in Russia, which is on the other side of the globe, being able to stream games live is a necessity. Come August we’ll see this happen again when the NFL kicks into high gear with their 2018-2019 season.

Fire Risk

With so many streaming options available, there’s a significant portion of the population with more than one streaming membership. Now, what may be just a $5 increase for one streaming service, is becoming a $10, $15 increase per month. Some people are faced with the choice of deciding whether that price tag is worth premium access, even if it is for the World Cup and the NFL.

Rising Prices

Prices go up, that’s one thing we can all rely on with certainty. Therefore, there are those who will simply pay the increase and find ways to cut costs somewhere else in their budgets. Then there will be those who decide it’s not worth the extra five, ten, fifteen dollars a month to have multiple streaming services. Yet, the decision will be difficult as to which streaming service to cut and why. Take heart, as there are other options.

Reduce Your Internet Bill

To keep your streaming services, you can find ways to reduce your internet bill, thus absorbing the cost of the price increase that way. Before you dial the customer service line, realize that this isn’t a life and death negotiation. It’s just business. The customer service rep on the other end of the line won’t take it personally that you’re trying to reduce your bill. They will still get paid at the end of the day. Come into it as though you’re simply talking dollars and sense. Knowing this you can confidently dial the customer service line for your ISP. Start by giving them your cancellation date. This lets them know you’re serious. Once you have their attention, request a lower rate, possibly the introductory rate. If they can’t give you the introductory rate, don’t settle for “the next best thing.” Set a price and stick to it. If they won’t play ball with you, then hang up. It’s as simple as that. If they still want your business, then you’ll be getting a call back from a retention specialist. It’s this person’s job to keep you as a customer for the company. When they’re calling you, you’re the one calling the shots. From there you can set the tone of the conversation and demand a lower rate. If they’re still not going to budge on their price, let them know you’ve already set your cancellation date. If the retention specialist is wise, this person will at least entertain the idea of a lower rate. When this happens, you can even offer to buy the modem and router your ISP provided to bargain for a lower price. This way you’re no longer paying the monthly rental fee!

Skimpy Bundles

If negotiation isn’t your thing, then you can cancel your streaming services and go with a Skimpy Bundle. The trade-off with a skimpy bundle service is a sacrifice of access to unlimited content in exchange for a select number of channels for a cheaper price. You’ll still get a good picture and ad-free content but on a smaller scale.

AT&Ts Watch TV

AT&T’s cheapest live TV streaming service, Watch TV comes in at $15 a month. With this, you can stream 31 channels to your smartphone, tablet, or set-top box, but only one at a time.

Philo

Backed by cable TV content providers, Philo offers a base package of 37 channels that includes a lot of the big-name channels. You can also stream on multiple devices at the same time. There are other packages that offer more channels, but of course, they’ll cost more. The base package only costs $16 a month. Unfortunately, there are no sports channels offered.

Fubo TV

Fubo TV does have a nice introductory package of 70+ channels that includes a healthy sampling of sports channels! After a seven-day free trial, your first month will be $19.99. The drawback is after that first month, the price goes up to the normal amount of $44.99. This would be a great way to enjoy your sports for a short time then cancel once the season ends.

Extinguish the Fire

With these suggestions in mind, you don’t have to let the streaming services dictate how much you’ll be paying. There are ways around the higher prices. All it takes is a little research, a little time, and you’ll find the right viewing options for you at the right price. This will keep the money in your wallet from burning up this summer!
To ensure the best streaming experience, find the best deals on Spectrum internet bundles

6 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Internet Service Provider in 2020

Selecting an internet service provider is an important decision that will affect the way you work, play, learn, and communicate. In 2020 it's more difficult than ever to find the best internet deal

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6 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Internet Service Provider in 2020

Updated for 2020:

February 25, 2020

Selecting an internet service provider is an important decision that will affect the way you work, play, learn, and communicate.  In the year 2020 the high-speed internet offerings from companies like AT&T, Spectrum, Xfinity, Centurylink, Rise Broadband, Viasat and Hughesnet can be pretty overwhelming and confusing.  From staying in touch to loved ones, to sending professional emails, to reading e-books, to binging Netflix, you use your internet connection for just about everything -- so you owe it to yourself to select a service that you can be happy with! 

1.Service Type Internet service providers use a variety of methods to get internet to your residence, and these methods all have their pros and cons. The four basic types of internet connection are known as DSL, Cable, Satellite, and Fiber Optic service. We will cover the details of these internet connection methods in an upcoming Bundle Your Internet blog article -- but for now, let's take a quick look at the basic advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

  • DSL tends to be affordable and very consistent, but is relatively slow. Believe it or not, many companies still offer DSL.  These companies include AT&T internet, Earthlink, Centurylink, Frontier, Windstream and several other smaller carriers. 
  • Cable internet is fast and widely available -- but can slow down during peak use hours. We all know most of the major players in the cable tv and internet space which include Xfinity (Comcast), Spectrum (Formerly Charter Spectrum, Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse Cable), Cox Communications, Mediacom, WOW, RCN, Windstream Telecom, and many many more.
  • Satellite Internet  This service is a great option for some but may be slightly more expensive than other services your are used to -- but it is available in many rural areas where other connection types do not reach.  For that reason Satellite services like Hughesnet and Viasat are great options.
  • Fiber Optic Service is stunningly fast and effective. The only drawback is that is a new technology that is only available in limited areas. Companies like AT&T, Verizon, Centurylink, Earthlink, Windstream, Metronet and Frontier offer this type of service.
2.Download and Upload Speed The rate at which you download and upload data will play a large role in determining your user experience. That being said, many people end up paying for speeds that they never actually need. A good point of reference? Netflix recommends a download speed of between .7 and 5.3 mbps for anyone hoping to stream a movie. In terms of upload speed, an HD video-calling requires about 1.2 mbps. (Though regular high-quality video calling can be done with about .4 mbps of upload speed.)

3.Cost and Contract. The cost and fees charged by various internet service providers in your area will clearly play an important role in determining the right internet company for you. Taking the contract length and general terms of service into account is also smart, even though this might not be as obvious a point as price comparison.  The typical length of contract for a cable/fiber/DSL internet provider is 0-12 months.  The typical length of a satellite internet provider is 24 months

4.Equipment. Unless you own a router and a modem, you will need to rent this equipment from an internet service provider. The good news? Bundling equipment with your internet service can help save you a pretty penny on each of these necessities.  You can typically count on a $5-$20 charge on top of the advertised price for equipment like a router or a modem.

5.Reliability. Research internet provider uptimes in your area. (Not even the fastest download speed is worth it if it only works 50% of the time!) In general, customer reviews taken from your geographical region can provide a good insight into the pros and cons of each internet company.  Other factors can come into play when it comes into reliability, like type of service and the weather.  Lines that are buried underground like fiber tend to have less disruption than lets say a service like HughesNet or Viasat which may be affected by the wether.    

6.Customer Support. Even the best internet companies experience problems from time to time -- and sometimes, internet problems can be caused by your own mistakes such as a poorly configured modem. This is why you should look for a company that offers quality customer service.  I think we can all agree that cable companies have a bad reputation for customer service.  The truth is they all are striving to provide the best service possible but often times the experience depends on the representative you get on the phone.  You can have a completely different experience from one phone call to the next depending on the tone and experience of the agent you are speaking with.  I have called Xfinity to complain and hung up on the first rep, only to call back and be received by a warm and friendly representative who was able to help with my internet connectivity issue in seconds.   Once again, reviews are a good way of getting to the bottom of this question. For more information on finding the best internet service provider in your area, visit Bundle Your Internet online today!

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Internet Service Provider

Choosing the best internet service provider option available to you can help you save money while enjoying faster, safer internet with better customer service.

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5 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Internet Service Provider
The internet is, without a doubt, one of the most important services you use. Staying in touch with family and friends, corresponding with email for personal and professional purposes, enjoying countless entertainment options, shopping diverse goods at competitive prices, browsing a virtually limitless library of information, and so much more -- need we go on? Even though contracting internet services is becoming a clear necessity in today's world, the choice of which internet service provider to choose of anything but clear. Choosing the best internet service provider option available to you can help you save money while enjoying faster, safer internet with better customer service -- so there is a lot at stake. Unfortunately, identifying which internet provider offers the best value can be challenging. Comparing multiple websites can be time consuming at best and confusing at worst -- and even then you will still have to trust that you've done a thorough job without missing any important details or worthwhile offers. That's where Bundle Your Internet comes into the picture. Here at Bundle Your Internet, we understand that internet is a necessity in today's world -- and we're tired of seeing people overpay for internet services. That's why we've designed a one of a kind internet research and bundling tool that can help you get the best deal on the best internet option. So what can you expect to find at Bundle Your Internet? We have compiled pricing information and other useful data for all the major and regional internet service providers. (Examples include AT&T, Cable One, Spectrum, DirecTV, Frontier, and WOW! And dozens more.) Moreover, we keep tabs on sales and special prices, ensuring that you don't miss any opportunities to pay less while receiving more! We also help you calculate the optimal internet package for your needs based upon factors such as your intended internet uses, your family size, your location, and much more. And our integrated search feature, as well as our live support team, make this entire process easy as pie. So what are a few of the most important factors to take into account when selecting an internet service provider? Here are a few things that we recommend looking into: 1. Pricing. Obviously, no one likes giving away their hard earned money, so comparing internet service provider prices -- and taking into account the value provided for the price charged -- is a no-brainer. 2. Location. Different internet providers offer different levels of service at different prices based upon location. This is one reason why Bundle Your Internet provides a zip code based search feature that will help you sort by your location. 3. Customer Service. Any worthwhile internet provider will offer both quality tech support and responsive field support. 4. Speed. Internet speed is especially important to those who plan on downloading or uploading hefty files, gaming, and video calling. However, even if your internet use is limited, speed is still nice! 5. Equipment. The equipment that your internet service provider offers isn't always the first thing people consider when choosing an internet company -- but good modems and routers can improve your overall experience quite a bit.   Want to learn more about finding the best internet option? Visit Bundle Your Internet online today!