Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

imitchellg5 · Dec 2, 2009, 02:12 PM

Story

What annoys me is not the fact that they've bought my favorite big network, or that Hulu will probably be killed or go completely for pay, or that quality of TV will probably be shot. Why doesn't Cockcast, an internet provider, work on providing better internet? They've made very little progress towards catching US quality of service up to that of former Soviet bloc countries such as Latvia.

hayesk · Dec 2, 2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by imitchellg5

Why doesn't Cockcast, an internet provider, work on providing better internet? They've made very little progress towards catching US quality of service up to that of former Soviet bloc countries such as Latvia.

Because it's not in their best interests to do so. They want to make money, not a better Internet. Note how they and others sue any city who tries to bring free WiFi to their residents on the grounds that government should not compete with private businesses. Note how there aren't any laws regulating service standards by ISPs. The laws are set up to favour corporations, not quality of service to the individual.

The Final Dakar · Dec 2, 2009, 02:35 PM

I'm glad I don't have Comcast or watch NBC.

imitchellg5 · Dec 2, 2009, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by hayesk

Because it's not in their best interests to do so. They want to make money, not a better Internet. Note how they and others sue any city who tries to bring free WiFi to their residents on the grounds that government should not compete with private businesses. Note how there aren't any laws regulating service standards by ISPs. The laws are set up to favour corporations, not quality of service to the individual.

Don't their adverts say something about making a better internet though?

Jawbone54 · Dec 2, 2009, 03:04 PM

If Hulu ceases to be free, I'll cease to visit it.

This is terrible news, for a variety of reasons. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with Comcast.

The Final Dakar · Dec 2, 2009, 03:04 PM

Where have you people been? Hulu announced it was going pay like a month ago.

Jawbone54 · Dec 2, 2009, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Where have you people been? Hulu announced it was going pay like a month ago.

It doesn't matter if it's an eventual result of the buy-out or if it was planned all along. Hulu will die if it establishes itself as a pay-only site.

Comcast buying NBC is screwy because it means that one of the worst companies in the country is now going to drive a major network even further into the ground.

The Final Dakar · Dec 2, 2009, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

It doesn't matter if it's an eventual result of the buy-out or if it was planned all along. Hulu will die if it establishes itself as a pay-only site.

Good thing I said neither of those things.

Jawbone54 · Dec 2, 2009, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Good thing I said neither of those things.

You weren't indicating that the payment structure for Hulu was planned before the buy-out?

(EDIT) I knew it was talked about, but couldn't remember the details: Hulu Not Going Pay-Only
Good call on the "about a month ago," BTW. (November 2, 2009)

The Final Dakar · Dec 2, 2009, 03:27 PM

I wasn't saying whether that fact mattered or if it wouldn't die from that fact.

Chongo · Dec 2, 2009, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

I'm glad I don't have Comcast or watch NBC.

Do you watch USA, SyFy, the Weather Channel, Universal HD, Sleuth, or Chiller?

The Final Dakar · Dec 2, 2009, 03:29 PM

****, they got me on USA and SyFy to a much much lesser degree.

besson3c · Dec 2, 2009, 04:24 PM

Doesn't Hulu just embed the same video served off of nbc.com?

The Final Dakar · Dec 2, 2009, 05:02 PM

Does that preclude them from going to some type of paid model in the future?

JoshuaZ · Dec 2, 2009, 05:59 PM

Screw HULU. I'd use it except it won't let me stream from a foreign country.

And they wonder why the world has to resort to torrenting TV shows.....

Chuckit · Dec 2, 2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Chongo

Do you watch USA, SyFy, the Weather Channel, Universal HD, Sleuth, or Chiller?

I try to avoid all of those, though I have to admit to watching SyFy's opus NYC: Tornado Terror in a moment of weakness.

Uncle Skeleton · Dec 2, 2009, 07:02 PM

Maybe Comcast will make them change it back to "SciFi"

Stogieman · Dec 3, 2009, 12:33 AM

Nah, I predict they'll change to something like ComFi or SciTastic!

Rumor · Dec 3, 2009, 01:18 AM

Sadly, here we have two options: AT&T and Comcast. Comcast offers the better experience (especially internet speeds). I guess my $140 a month contributed to this potential disaster. Sorry everyone.

andi*pandi · Dec 3, 2009, 06:56 AM

I have comcast too. Verizon Vios hasn't caught me yet.

I wonder how 30 Rock will handle this.

ghporter · Dec 3, 2009, 07:08 AM

Comcast is only an Internet provider peripherally. They're a cable TV company first and last. And not necessarily a good one, either. But NBC has recently been run by probably the least "ept" CEO a TV network has ever had. How could the most bankable late night TV properties there are, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, wind up being ratings losers? By having Jeff Zucker booger up the lineup and shift people around so horribly that even Leno's die hard fans aren't tuning in, and Conan's late night followers not bothering to watch a little earlier than they're used to.

So how badly can a new joint venture between Comcast and NBC-Universal be much worse? Oh yeah-they could also bork Hulu... And Comcast might just pick up the old Fox habit of canceling shows just as they hit their stride... So yeah, it could be bad, but "world ending?" Not really. NBC has done some hugely stupid stuff in the past, way before Zucker. For example, why move the most popular adult SF TV show of its time to the "timeslot of death" on Friday evening? Why, because you don't understand what kind of golden egg-laying goose you have, of course, and so moving Star Trek to 8pm on Friday is a way of killing the series without generating another avalanche of fan's irate mail...

turtle777 · Dec 3, 2009, 07:08 AM

I'm with Comcast, and haven't had a terrible experience yet.

Sure, they don't wash my laundry and make coffee in the morning, but other than that, they're ok.

-t

BadKosh · Dec 3, 2009, 08:24 AM

Johnny Carson must be spinning in his grave.

The Final Dakar · Dec 3, 2009, 08:27 AM

I really doubt he would give a ****. That's why he retired.

SpaceMonkey · Dec 3, 2009, 09:21 AM

I do hope they will continue those commercials with the turtles.

Jawbone54 · Dec 3, 2009, 09:37 AM

I'm getting 10 Mbps with Suddenlink for $60 per month. I had some issues with them over a year ago, but ever since it was cleared up, my service has been absolutely beautiful.

Brien · Dec 3, 2009, 12:00 PM

I'm really hoping they don't mess with Hulu, but given the track record of media companies, it's like they want to go out of business.

osiris · Dec 3, 2009, 12:26 PM

According to Engadget, Comcast promises not to crush Hulu.
But then we all know how well corporations keep their promises.
Comcast takes control of NBC, promises not to crush Hulu 'like a bug' -- Engadget