August 2017 is almost here and it will likely be a great month for cord cutting. Over the last few weeks we have heard about a ton of big cord cutting news that should happen in August.
So let’s take a look at all the big stories we think will be happening in August 2017.
#1 Root Sports Joining DIRECTV NOW (Now Called AT&T Sports)
Back in June the Utah Jazz announced it had finished a new TV deal with Root Sports and that subscribers to a live TV streaming service would soon have access to Root Sports as part of the new contract before the NBA season started.
Root Sports is owned by AT&T, which has recently started to rebrand the channel as AT&T Sports. So it would make sense that AT&T’s DIRECTV NOW streaming service would be the first to carry the newly renamed Root Sports Channels.
We expect this no later than the end of September 2017 but it is most likely going to happen in August 2017.
#2 Comcast’s New Streaming Service
Last week the Comcast CEO announced that it would launch a live TV streaming service in the third quarter of 2017. While that would give it until the end of September, word is the service would most likely be at least announced in August 2017. We expect that this service would be limited to Comcast markets because it plans to use its current TV deals to offer locals with the service.
#3 DIRECTV NOW DVR Beta Tests
A few weeks ago DIRECTV NOW announced plans to start beta testing a DVR feature this summer with the goal of rolling it out this fall. We fully expect these beta tests to start in August to ensure it has enough time to work out the bugs before it goes public.
It seems that AT&T wants to make sure its launch of a DVR goes smoothly so it is going to start a small public beta test. AT&T has not said how it will distribute beta invites so keep an eye on the site for more details in August.
Update: Looks like the beta test just started.
#4 Hulu’s Live TV Beta Comes to Roku Players
Last week we learned that Hulu had started closed testing of its live TV service on Roku players. From what we can see, Hulu will likely roll out the new live TV beta to Roku players in late August or early September. The beta has been going for a few weeks now, so we believe that Hulu will roll out Roku support in August 2017.
#5 The NFL
We are only a few days from the start of the National Football League’s preseason, but we have about a month before the real season kicks off. There have been scattered reports that the NFL is working on a way to become more cord-cutting friendly. It is possible that this new cord-cutting friendly option will launch in August.
Last year as the season went on the NFL added more cord-cutting options such as games streaming on CBS All Access mid-season. It is possible we will also see a mid-season launch of other streaming options this year.
Well that is it my list of what I expect in August. As always new things will pop up and something will come out of left field to surprise us.
So what are you expecting from August 2017?
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