larz2112

These streaming services are starting to develop a case of Cabelitis. That is when you start charging too much for your service like a typical cable company would do, and some of them are almost charging as much as the cable companies at this point.

I just canceled my DirecTV Now account a few weeks ago because they kept raising the price. After I canceled AT&T asked me to fill out a survey. I did, and I explained that my primary objective is to keep the cost as low as possible, and my monthly threshold was $30-35/month or less. They exceeded that, so I canceled. I plan to sign up with Sling TV for $25/month ($15/month for first 3 months). And if they raise their prices I will cancel their service, and maybe try Philo. Bottom line, if these streaming services can't deliver for $30-35/month or less, I'm fine with just the local network stations and 20 or so oddball channels I get on my HD antenna for zero dollars a month.

ihatescreennames said:

larz2112 said:

AppleInsider said:

Facebook could potentially end up paying billions in U.S. fines as a result of these breaches.

I would hope so. It is the only way these companies will learn, and hopefully put sufficient safeguards in place.

I would prefer to see companies paying fines they would feel than send the executives to jail. The key is making it a large enough fine for the company to take notice and I have yet to see that happen.

The article says "potentially end up paying billions in U.S. fines". I would hope that would be enough of a financial penalty to motivate companies to make significant improvements. And sending a few executives to jail in addition to fines can't hurt, and potentially instill a bit more personal accountability into the equation. That being said, I am not holding my breath that either will happen.

jimh2 said:

No other word to describe this than shakedown. Cupertino is biting the hand that feeds them. Most cities would kill to have Apple with their thousands of highly compensated employees living and spending their money in and around town. Politicians have no shame.

Meh, to me this is par for the course. Corporations do their fair share of manipulating government for their own financial benefit. Companies negotiate for tax breaks and incentives in exchange for bringing their business to a city. They find loopholes in tax codes to avoid or defer paying taxes. They hire lobbyists to influence politicians and push for legislation that may not be in the best interest of the general public, but will significantly benefit their company or industry. I file this under "politics as usual" (see also: "business as usual").

AppleInsider said:

Facebook could potentially end up paying billions in U.S. fines as a result of these breaches.

I would hope so. It is the only way these companies will learn, and hopefully put sufficient safeguards in place.

1STnTENDERBITS said:

rko said:

How does an artist get paid when their song is accessed on Apple Music?   How much are they paid per song?  I listen to songs on Apple music, but wonder if the artist actually makes anything.  These services should maximize artist revenue from song 1.  Selling merchandise should not be needed, the music is the merchandise.  Artists should be able to earn a living through their work.

Afaik, payment goes to the rights holders.  The rights holders could be a combination of music label, artist, song writer, producer, etc.  The label typically gets the lions share and everyone else, including the artist, is paid from the rest of the cut.  Touring and merchandise has always been the primary revenue generator for artist for as longs as I can remember.  That isn't a consequence of streaming.

Touring and merch is only a primary revenue generator for the most successful artists. Most artists are lucky if they break even after covering all of their expenses.

And songwriters, composers, and producers do not tour or sell merchandise. Song royalties are a significant portion of their income. One of the major consequnces of music streaming is that it has destroyed the royalty rates for songwrites, composers, and producers. Record sales have been eroded by music streaming services that currently operate under an unsustainable business model. The only way Apple, Spotify, Google, Pandora, can make money is by paying EXTREMELY low royalty rates to music creators.