MyBundle.TV Helps Viewers Cut Through Streaming Confusion

The streaming video world is confusing, but for those seeking to transition from traditional cable and satellite pay TV services, it can be an inexpensive alternative. Viewers can choose their programming, a la carte, rather than accepting a cable company’s package. But with about 150 streaming video services offering a dizzying array of live, premium and ad-supported programming, the confusion arises from the services that are right for a particular household. That’s where MyBundle.TV can help.

Earlier this year, NRTC signed a partnership agreement with MyBundle.TV to help the many NRTC members that have built or are building broadband networks in their communities, but don’t necessarily want to build traditional TV facilities. With the right streaming services, consumers can build their own virtual streaming service that meets all expectations at lower cost.

“There’s a lot of options out there. It’s going to be a bundle of a la carte services and it’s, sorry to say, only going to get more complicated and fragmented,” said Jason Cohen, co-founder and CEO of MyBundle.TV, who led a webinar earlier this week to describe how the company can work with NRTC members to simplify streaming video for broadband customers. “With a helping hand, it’s a game changer.”

Under the agreement with NRTC, members potentially could turn streaming video into a revenue source as they build subscribers. “You send us a report every month saying, ‘I got 5,000 broadband subs,’ and then we send you an invoice,” said Renee Harrison, NRTC VP, Video Solutions during the webinar. “The goal is that at some point the revenue share is so great that rather than you sending us a check every month, we’re going to send you one … the revenue share is more than the monthly fee.”

There are three categories of streaming video service:

• Ad-based video on demand (AVOD), such as Tubi, PlutoTV and Peacock.
• Subscription video on demand (SVOD), such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and AppleTV+.
• Live streaming services, such as Sling, YouTube and services that carry local broadcast signals.

MyBundle.TV concentrates on the still-high demand for the live signals, so that viewers can replace the news, weather, sports and other programming they are used to seeing from traditional providers. The MyBundle.TV web tool uses a ZIP code-based database to match the viewers’ preferences to their home locations. “What could be hours and hours and hours of research are gone,” Cohen said. “It’s about growing broadband subscribers, reducing churn, monetizing streaming purchases and enhancing the overall streaming experience.”

MyBundle.TV also includes some value-added features, such as an online viewing guide to help viewers locate the programing on the various streaming services they choose, and a free ad-supported TV (FAST) service, the company’s own collection of live programming.

“This is a big market with a lot of dollars in it … It’s a $300 billion a year market,” Cohen said, and consumers want help finding their way through it.

NRTC has a recording of the MyBundle.TV webinar available for members.