I saw streaming services trending on Twitter (X) earlier today and wondered when this subject would be raised. The number of streaming services available for sport and everything tv related plus films is off the charts. All you need for access is a fire stick along with a smart television and good internet.
Around 6 years ago I invested in an Amazon firestick cancelled my monthly cable subscription and have been spoiled for choice ever since. I did not see the value in the monthly payments as not only did they not cover certain sporting events that I enjoy but the shows on the channels were all re runs which drove me nuts.
Streaming opens up a whole new world and it is all for free and it is understandable why these services are being clamped down, but cannot be stopped. The use of a VPN allows you access where possibly depending on which country you were in without this you would be stuck.
If I have to count the sports channels available there must be well over 300 covering every sport under the sun. Obviously certain events that are not as popular as others you will have to do a little hunting. Today my search was straight forward and covers every Premier League game that is being played.
What I find unfair having lived in the UK is the live games are limited and even with a Sky package they do not offer you every game. You have to subscribe to one team you support in order to get those matches live for an extra monthly fee. In South Africa the local cable network has every Premier League game live throughout the season and you are spoiled for choice if you love football.
As long as Sky Sports has other cable companies airing their packages which they sell they can never stop streaming services and why it is here to stay. Having fines of up to $75K or threats of up to 5 years in prison is not going to stop this and technology is the broadcasters enemy today.
People do not mind paying if there is value for money and the broadcasters do not try and rip people off. I took a stand when I was paying nearly double the price of what new subscribers were paying for the same package. I cancelled my subscription and was then offered the new price, but the damage had already been done and I have turned my back on the local broadcasters.
There is obviously big money being lost by these companies as they are paying in the region of UK£5 billion (US$6.3 billion) over the three-year cycle and they need to recoup their costs.
I think that is expensive considering the live Premier League game today is Everton vs Newcastle. My local broadcaster has these available showing 4 live right now and having showed one earlier and one later after these games have finished. Their full package is £40 per month without ay extra add on's unlike Sky UK who has various extra options.
As you can see from my laptop there are 4 Premier League games live right now unlike those viewing in the UK who don't have this option. If I lived in the UK I would also be streaming because if the option is there then why not.