Monday, September 18, 2017

Television App War, Jessica K. McKendry’s Lies and Truth, Sports Movie Trivia, and Ninja News

Jessica Therrien has a special feature called My Publishing Journey. Today, I am the guest of honor. If you’ve ever wondered how someone with no desire to become an author ended up with four books, numerous anthologies, and audio books, not to mention starting the IWSG, then visit Jessica.

The Television App War – No More Free

There’s no more free television. You’ll need an app for that. As a matter of fact, you’ll need many, many apps…

If you subscribe to cable or satellite, you still have access to most of the channels either online or through the app. With Direct TV, you can still access most of the content your paid package provides. Most. Not all.

CBS now has CBS All Access. If you want to see the new Star Trek series, you’ll have to get the CBS All Access app. By getting, I mean pay for it. Ten bucks a month.

Now, ten bucks a month isn’t bad. NetFlix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are all about that much. Each one has its own original content as well, so it’s worth the price.

But what happens when each station or channel wants a slice of the pie and its own app like CBS All Access? What happens when they start pulling their content from other apps and starting their own – like Disney, who will pull everything including Marvel movies from NetFlix next year?

What happens is a giant mess. And as it fractures more and more, it will cost more. Even if you cut the cord on cable, you’ll still need an app. Or two or three or four…

Anyone else concerned where this is going? And where it might end…?

Jessica K. McKendry and Two Lies and a Truth

Hello lovely people!

The past few days have been incredibly exciting, because first, I turned 21 on Friday! And secondly, my second novel The Inferiors (From the Ashes #2) is being released TODAY! In honor of The Inferiors release, I’m hosting a lil blog hop that you can sign up for on my blog here.

In honor of my book release and my blog hop called LIES, I’m going to give you two lies and one truth about a character in my book. (If you sign up, you can write two lies and one truth about you, about a character you’ve written about, or a character in your favorite story.) So here goes.

CHARACTER: Liam Rodan
AGE: 17

1. I used to be best friends with my worst enemy
2. I’m a player, I live for the game
3. I’m a hopeless romantic

Now you get to guess :)

Add From the Ashes and The Inferiors on Goodreads, and you can buy both on Amazon as a paperback or an eBook! (Direct link - The Inferiors)

Everyone who takes a guess and gets it right will have a chance to win a free copy of your choice of From the Ashes (#1) or The Inferiors (#2).

Have a lovely day everyone!

Jess


Ninja News

Anne R. Allen had a great article on Sunday - Want to Increase Your Blog Readership? Kill that Popup! If you use popups on your site, or you’re thinking about it, you definitely want to read this.

C. Lee McKenzie’s young adult book, Double Negative, is up for the Readers Choice Awards. Voting is now through December 10. Find Double Negative on page 12/16.

The IWSG is partnered with Reedsy, as site that offers great content and great services. What you might not know is that IWSG members get a discount! To qualify, register with the site HERE and you’ll be eligible to get twenty-five percent off of their services. A great deal!

Don’t forget the deadline for the annual IWSG Anthology Contest is November 1 and the IWSG Show Your Writer Insecurity Contest is October 4!

New Releases!

Long time blogger buddy Helena Soister has two new releases!

Charity MacCay and the Almighty Dollar
Charity MacCay persists, and resists, and she's scheming to pull herself up by her high-heeled bootstraps while helping the people she loves.
Find it on Amazon

Charity MacCay and the Saintly Wives
In this sequel to the Almighty Dollar, Charity MacCay knows how to get into trouble, and how to be trouble for anyone who tries to hurt her or her man.
Find it on Amazon


Sports Movie Trivia

Soon we will hit the great sports overlap – football, hockey, basketball, and baseball all at the same time.

To celebrate, here is some sports movie trivia for you. Some are easy, some you’ll have to think about. But name the movie from the year released, sport, and star of the film:

1 - 2000’s, football, Sandra Bullock
2 - 80’s, baseball, Tom Berenger
3 - 90’s, golf, Kevin Costner
4 - 2000’s, horse racing, Viggo Mortensen
5 - 90’s, hockey, Russell Crowe
6 - 70’s, boxing, Sylvester Stallone
7 - 90’s, football, Sean Astin
8 - 2000’s, football, Mark Wahlberg
9 - 70’s, running, Susan Anton
10 - 80’s, baseball, Kevin Costner
11 - 90’s, bobsledding, John Candy
12 - 2000’s, jousting, Heath Ledger
13 - 80’s, rowing, Nicolas Cage
14 - 2000’s, skating, Will Ferrell

Answers on Monday!


What’s your thoughts on the app war? Can you guess Jessica’s truth and lies? Checked out Reedsy? And do you know any of the trivia?
Don’t forget to visit Jessica Therrien!

98 comments:

Pat Hatt said...

#1 what fun

Pat Hatt said...

Yeah, it is nuts where it is going. If every company has its own content it will cost more than cable. And most aren't even available outside the US. And they wonder why people pirate stuff, ppffffft Greedy sobs.

Blindside
Major League
Tin Cup
Hildago
Mystery Alaska
Rocky
Rudy
Invincible
Ummm
Bull Durham
Cool Runnings
A Knights Tale
Boy in Blue
Blades of Glory

nashvillecats2 said...

Jessican appears to be a great author, Loved all the news and views Alex.

Yvonne.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Funny that you mention about all these apps we need to buy to watch TV because a bunch of us were talking about the escalating cost of AT&T, Direct TV, etc yesterday at a party. All these apps add up and TV is already too expensive. Plus these companies are always raising your bill. It's a constant struggle for me to keep my bill down. I just got a "special deal" that reduced my outrageous bill by $30.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

One of the things I love about Hulu and Netflix is no commercials. To me, that's worth the price right there. I also find I watch less TV since I'm less likely to just plop down on the couch and see what's on, scroll through the channels, etc. I watch more purposefully.

mshatch said...

If we're going to need all those those aps it could cost quite a bundle. I don't like it at all!!!

Moviw Trivia:
1. The Blind Side
2. Major League
3. Tin Cup
4. Hidalgo
5.
6. Rocky
7.
8.
9.
10. Field of Dreams or Bull Durham
11.
12. A Knight's Tale
13.
14.

I'm afraid sports are not my thing, but I got a few!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

We have a basic Dish plan (20/month, I think) and then apps. It saves us quite a bit of money over the plan we used to have...for right now! But you're right--when ala carte goes wild and everyone has a hit show on their app, it's going to add up.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

The TV landscape has changed just a tad since I was a kid. In the good old days, the 1950s, I had my choice of three networks all broadcasting in glorious black and white. Seems to me that content providers might price themselves out of the market. We could reach a tipping point. If television viewing gets too costly and too complicated, citizens will revolt and cry "none of the above." Anybody got a deck of cards?

Have a great week, Alex!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Pat, we were both number one today. And all but one! Good job.

Natalie, I finally got mine under a hundred. Yeah, it's expensive.

Madeline, both good points!

Marcy, you got half.

Elizabeth, yes it will.

kjmckendry said...

We have Netflix and Amazon Prime and that's it, I can't imagine having to pay for each app or channel separately!

Yay for Jess! Thanks Alex for hosting her! (I have insider info so I won't Play 2 Lies and a Truth)


1. The Blind Side
6. Rocky
14. Blades of Glory!!!! Thanks for including figure skating in your list!! :)

Blogoratti said...

Everything needs an app these days, and the prices being charged to watch TV is insane. I'll stick to my Netflix.

Mary Aalgaard said...

That's a great way to do sports movies trivia, and I like that most of them are from the 80's and 90's! The tv app war is going to bleed us dry. Yikes! We'll have to learn to say no.

Christine Rains said...

The app war is getting frightening. Though my son mainly watches stuff on YouTube and at least that's free... so far. Happy birthday to Jessica and congratulations! I guess #2 is the lie. Have a great week, Alex. :)

Chemist Ken said...

Looks like we may be spending less and less time watching television shows. We have Netflix so that we can watch older stuff, but I'm not buying CBS all access just to watch Star Trek.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Shady, the Internet alone gives us a lot of options. I do remember spinning that wonderful dial...

Kathryn, you're welcome!

Christine, I can see YouTube being a paid app one day...

Ken, I'm not either.

Charles Gramlich said...

Fortunately for me, TV has never been very important to me. If they charge more I just don't watch

The Cynical Sailor said...

There's something to be said for the old model where you paid one price and got to see all of the shows. There are shows I'd like to see but won't be able to as I don't have the app. Congrats to Helena on her new releases. Off to vote for Lee's book and check out your interview.

Patricia Stoltey said...

All those potential changes in access to TV shows could the be final straw that breaks my TV watching habit. I have at least one favorite show on each network channel plus a couple of the Direct TV channels. I might get more writing done that way, though...

Lidy said...

We got rid of cable at our house and use Roku and the Fire stick. I can see the problem with the apps. We have a lot of streaming channels but the three that matter most is Netflix, Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime. If TV stations start going the app route, pull their shows from elsewhere and charge $10 to watch for their app, then it just defeats the purpose of watching streamed TV. It's less beneficial to viewers and wish they'd hopefully consider the viewers in this war to monopolize. That they'll allow other services to continue streaming their shows but make their tv app have no commercials. If others want to pay the money to watch commercial free, then let them.

1- Sideline
6- Rocky
11- Cool Runnings
12- Knight's Tale
14- Blades of Glory

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Congratulations to Jessica on her new book and to Charity on hers.
Great interview with the other Jessica.
C Lee's book is a great story: vote for it. I did.
I watch very little TV - no cable or satellite. Can't afford it. CBS has already taken off Dr. OZ and added some dumb shows. I'll just read. Who needs TV?
Have a great week, everyone.

stephen Hayes said...

I find all these apps confusing. I don't use them.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Cable prices are crazy, but too many apps! I won't do it. If something looks good, I'll just get the DVD of it later. Like I did for 11/22/63. Hope to watch that soon since Hubby finally read the book.

As for your trivia...

1) Blindside
2) Major League
3) Tin Cup
4)
5) Mystery, Alaska
6) Rocky
7) Rudy
8)
9)
10) Bull Durham
11) Cool Runnings
12)
13)
14)

Helena said...

Thank you ever so much for the shout out on my two Charity MacCay novels, Alex! You are the best.

As for paying for TV -- I already pay more than enough, and much as I'm a Trekkie, I can imagine paying for a usual network service like CBS, especially when they're charging the same as HBO but without HBO's lineup of shows or movies.

Andrew Leon said...

I'm just not going to sign on to further services. Period.
The only way to keep it from happening is to make it more expensive for these places to offer the "service" than what they make from it.
So, like, with CBS: Their "service" isn't worth it for ONE show. Not for Star Trek, for sure. And I don't think there's any way for CBS to offer enough to make their thing worthwhile.
Disney probably can, though, because they will have SO MUCH content to offer.
I'm still not signing up for Disney. Not even for Star Wars.
At least, not at the moment.

Nick Wilford said...

Happy Birthday to both Jessica and her book! I'll say #2 for the lie.

Not sure sports movies are my best genre, but I'll have a go all the same.

3 - Tin Cup
6 - Rocky
10 - A League of Their Own
11 - Cool Runnings
12 - A Knight's Tale

A Beer for the Shower said...

I'm concerned with this, too. I'm a cord-cutter. Cable was a huge waste of money (pay $100 for 10 channels you watch and 590 you don't), so I ditched it. They need an ala carte system, but not like this. Netflix is worth the $10 a month because of the variety of programming they offer, but I can't just buy a ton of channels for $10 each and expect to get any value out of it. CBS, for example. I might watch one or two shows there. Why the hell would I pay $10 a just so I can watch the new Star Trek?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Patricia, true.

Lidy, commercial free would be great. You got four right.

Beverly, they won't get your money!

Stacy, most movies we see in the theater and if we like them, we buy them. And you got seven right.

Helena, you're welcome. And exactly!

Andrew, neither I am. We see most of the movies in the theater anyway and then buy them.

Nick, you got four!

Brandon and Bryan, I'm not paying it. NetFlix is one of the few who offers enough to make it worthwhile.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex – oh please don’t … we’ve got the Beeb – I’ll pass and hope someone will sort me out! Great to see you over at Jess’ … congratulations to her for turning 21 and publishing her 2nd novel: way to go.

I saw Anne Allen’s article … I hate pop ups, or things that move when I open a blogging site. I’ve voted for Lee … good luck to one and all for the IWSG Anthology Contest …

Gosh I can get one # 13 Boy in Blue … and sadly you haven’t included the South African rugby one – “Invictus” … but I’ll forgive you!!

Cheers Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I only watch TV because my husband turns it on. LOL

Nicholas Cage - The Boy in Blue. I remember seeing that one a long time ago.

Chrys Fey said...

TV has gotten so expensive. It's my biggest bill.

Arlee Bird said...

I don't watch enough TV to consider adding any services. If it weren't for my wife, I'd get rid of cable. Sometimes I think I should just start rewatching all of the DVD's I have in my collection as well as watch the several that I haven't watched yet. That would keep me busy for a good while.

I'd rather read more, starting with all of the unread books on my shelves.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

Carrie-Anne said...

I'm guessing #2 is the lie.

I think #6 is Rocky and #10 is Field of Dreams.

Joanne said...

I think there are many issues with the single apps and what folks can afford. I'm afraid it could narrow folks vision further - i.e. instead of discovering a new actor or watching a documentary, if someone only gets the Disney App (for example), they could miss out on broadening horizons.
Congrats to the 21 year old on her new book - excellent achiever.
And it looks to me like Pat Hatt kicked off your sport quiz with a bang. We'll see if he gets an Olympic gold medal.
Happy week to you!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Two books at age 21? Wow! Congratulations, Jess! I pick #2.

Have a great week, Alex.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

YES! I am VERY concerned of where the ala cart app/cable war is going. Cutting the cord is going to end up being more expensive than cable. I (for one) was never a cord-cutter. I subscribe to a premium cable package and for that price, I feel like I should get all the content. It pisses me off that I'm now being forced to pay for stuff like Star Trek: Discovery.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I watch so little TV these days and that by Amazon Video. Paramount tried to start its own network with only letting viewers watch the first season of VOYAGER as CBS Access is now doing. I refused to join Paramount's scheme nor will I join BS, ah, I meant CBS. Highest of sales to Jessica!! :-)

Sandra Cox said...

The whole cost of cable/direct TV/streaming/apps makes me crazy. I'd love to see information laid out on what is the most cost effective while still getting the programs you want. We currently have cable and the monthly cost is crazy.

Cherie Reich said...

I am concerned about the apps war. We still have a lot of free TV, but I wonder how long it'll last. For people who don't have unlimited internet, it's impossible to stream TVs/movies too. Why would we want to pay for an app that we can't use at home? I do use my Amazon Prime to watch TVs and movies during my lunch hour at work, but I'd love to see the new Star Trek and a few other shows that aren't on free TV or Prime. I'll either watch them later where I can get them done in a month or two. Or I'll never end up watching them. That said, I did recently join Stargate Command which will let you stream Stargate episodes and the new series, but it gives you several months to stream episodes and you get a free shirt if you preorder. Heh.

Liz A. said...

If the apps bomb (no one buys them), they'll go back to the old way soon enough. Sadly, I don't think that's the way the world is going. Soon you'll subscribe to streaming services that bundle the different apps like the cable companies. Sigh.

I'll guess the truth as being #1.

1. Blindside
2.
3. Tin Cup
4.
5.
6. Rocky
7. Rudy
8.
9.
10. Bull Durham
11. Cool Runnings
12.
13.
14.

Knew fewer of those than I thought. Ah well.

Tonja Drecker said...

It's been years since we've had a TV...we Youtube and Netflix. I've wondered how long the regular TV shows will last. As for the lie, I'll just grab #3. Have a great week!

Suzanne Furness said...

I'm not a massive TV watcher and we don't subscribe to lots of expensive packages that we are unlikely to use . . . does seem to be becoming a big expense these days though.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sorry, Hilary! At least I had one you recognized.

Diane, correct.

Lee, that would certainly keep me busy for a while.

Carrie-Anne, correct!

Joanne, he's the closest so far.

Michael, I've already scaled back our Direct TV as it was getting out of control expensive. Not splurging any further.

Sandra, I think NetFlix is still the best bet.

Cherie, that's good to know!

Liz, you got five right.

Cathrina Constantine said...

I believe Pat Hatt got all the trivia, so I'm not even going to try.

Congrats to Lee, I voted for her book. And Congrats to all the Book releases.

I actually started writing a short story for the Anthology Contest. I'm at 2k. So far, I'm liking it and having fun writing it.

Now, I'm off to Jessica's site.

Have a great week, Alex.

SpacerGuy said...

Reedsy is a fascinating site. I have an idea and I have to confess I'm being lazy, afraid if I'm being honest of facing facts. My idea is probably a failure but its so top secret which is why, its so cool, hehe. I voted for C.Lee McKenzies YA book and yeah Apps, Alex! Its all the rage. Smartphone users are taking over the world, hehe...

J E Oneil said...

It's going to end with everyone signing up for their favorite and then torrenting everything else, because you can't squeeze money out of people forever.

I can't believe there are people who still use popups on their blog. Do they not realize what a turn off that is?

Roland Clarke said...

As a picky retired equestrian journalist, I would say that 4 isn't exactly horse racing, more like endurance - although the event is called a race...... but great list of movies.

Elephant's Child said...

I don't watch a lot of television so it doesn't matter to me. It WILL matter to my partner. Definitely thin end of the wedge stuff.

Jess said...

Alex, thanks so much for hosting my book! You're awesome!

Karen Lange said...

Congrats and Happy Birthday to Jessica! Appreciate all the other info too, Alex. As for the cable deal, we still have it but are seriously considering ditching it. A friend has and likes Sling TV. Thinking about checking into that. And yeah, I'm wondering where it's all headed next. But then, I'm guessing we could probably live without it. :)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Maybe if everyone chucks their tvs, they'll start reading books? It does sound like it will be a mess. I guess I better hold onto my DVD collection. I may be watching my own re-runs!

TL said...

That Russell Crowe flick is one of my all-time faves.

Ugh, ugh, ugh. I am trying to cut the darn cord but, looking through all the apps, I am SO confused.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Catherine, he got all but one. And keep working on that story!

Spacer Guy, yes they are.

JE, I guess not.

Jess, you're welcome!

Elizabeth, reading wouldn't be a bad idea.

Leslie S. Rose said...

I went to streaming only last year. I think the honeymoon is over with all the content shuffling going on. A few friends actually use digital "rabbit ears" to get locale networks. I haven't taken that plunge yet, but it's cheaper than a list of network apps.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I agree with you about the app and TV thing. Where is it going? Wherever it ends up, I'm sure it will be expensive. Sports movies? I know all but three of them. Very unusual for me in the trivia world.

Lynda Dietz said...

Years ago, our old TV didn't make the cut when everything went digital, so we simply didn't have a TV for about five years. We finally bought one so we could have something large enough to watch movies on with the family, and our oldest son pays for Netflix. That's all we have, and I don't think anyone in our household really misses anything. There's not a whole lot of time to just sit still, so anything more would be a waste of money. We have Internet, and BOOKS, so we're pretty content!

Nice interview over at Jessica's blog.

Jemi Fraser said...

We don't have Netflix or any other app because we mostly watch sports, but it's all getting ridiculously expensive!

I know some trivia!!!! (This NEVER happens) (not in order :))
Blindside
Major League
Tin Cup
Miracle on ice
Rocky
Field of Dreams
I can see the Will Ferrell character in my head for the ice skating one - I think it scared the title out of my head! :)

Heather R. Holden said...

Have never had cable or any TV-related apps, so television is still free for me! I get more than enough content through my bent-up antenna.

And wow, the cover for The Inferiors is gorgeous. Many congrats to Jessica!

Truedessa said...

I have a 3 in one plan and it has gotten very expensive. I've had it reduced twice. Of course they took things away as part of the cost savings. I often go to the library to take out movies as they have just about everything including TV series. Hey, I can always read a good book!

I think Pat probably nailed the trivia.

Have a good week!

Fundy Blue said...

I'm traveling, so I didn't realize that you can't get the new Star Trek series without an App that you have to pay for. So I guess I won't be watching it. :( I'm going to make a guess about Jessica's character Liam and say that #2 is the truth. Sports Movie Trivia? LOL I'm not even going to try! Have a great week!

John Wiswell said...

Coming out of the era of Cable TV, I'm not concerned about stations creating al-a-carte apps. The 3-5 services I want wind up being significantly cheaper than my old bill. Whereas what I used to go to for free TV has been utterly eclipsed by the higher quality content elsewhere, be it online news coverage, or Youtube videos and Netflix shows. I would definitely prefer to pay to watch Stranger Things than watch Big Bang Theory for free.

Nilanjana Bose said...

I watch too little TV to be affected, but things definitely don't look good. As with most other things, way too commercial. I'd be upset if youtube became paid up, seriously hope it doesn't.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

The very first trivia question I knew, because it's one of my favourite movies.

That app trend is crazy! I'm guessing it'll go too far, and then there will be major backlash. But at least Americans get good television. Canada's version of Netflix sucks, and Amazon Prime isn't an option for us. Most of us stream.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Perhaps the answer to the high cost of watching TV is to revert to cinema-going and books ;-)

Michelle Wallace said...

Double congrats to Jessica...on her 21st and also the release of her novel!
Every week/month there's a new App. Who knows what's next in the App world...?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lynda, NetFlix covers a lot, so one can get by with just that. I watch a lot of sports though, so I need regular channels.

Jemi, that made me chuckle. You got five right.

Truedessa, he did.

Fundy, most people won't be watching it.

John, and you can't miss the next season of Stranger Things!

JH, that's a bummer.

Annalisa, and we do that as well!

Sandra Cox said...

Happy Birthday, Jessica. And Happy Book Birthday. You have really accomplished a lot in twenty-one years! We're going to be saying we knew you when:)
Also congrats to Lee and Helena.
Hi, Alex:)


Murees Dupè said...

With regards to the apps, that's what happening in South Africa now. We have the satellite option, but you have to choose whether you want the premium package or a limited one. Both you must pay for. Or else you're stuck with 4 local channels only. Netflix became available to us last year, I think, so if you want that, you must buy it extra, and the same goes for Amazon Prime. It does add up and can get pricey, especially when you get addicted to certain shows and now you have to buy extra apps, just to watch it. Very scary indeed how things are turning out.

Congrats to all the authors with new releases.

Hope you are doing well, Alex. Have a great week.

Mason Canyon said...

Congrats to those with new releases and good luck to C.Lee on the voting. I can't believe how expensive it's gotten to watch TV and there are so few good programs anymore it's a waste of good money. Having said that, I'll have to check out CBS's new app to see if it includes NCIS. LOL

Toi Thomas said...

The App War is going to blow up in everybody's faces. All the greedy companies aren't going to make their projections because they'll be forcing consumers to pick and choose. Many of them will fail; others will form new alliances and partner up. In any case, illegal streaming and downloading will increase even more.
I think Jessica was friends with her enemy.
No clue what the #2 trivia is.

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

The app war is just a cyber version of the traditional corporate television wars that the very capitalist system allows too much room for. It's more about making money than giving fair access to a variety of entertainment and even televised education (like PBS) . Yes, the owners of the apps have to make money like anyone else but they let competition take over too much instead. Instead of trying to do something different than their competitors, they seem to only want to buy up franchises to become bigger than their competitors. However, the good news is that when more viewers demand a variety of programming that the app their paying for doesn't have, packages of multiple apps or some such solution will probably be offered like with cable and will make it more affordable to access more tele-apps (as like to call them, though that can refer to phone apps too, lol).

Ellie Garratt said...

I have the same concerns about pay for access TV. I have Amazon Prime and now Netflix. I don't watch ordinary TV, but have to pay for a TV licence just in case. In total that's £26 a month. Where will it end?

Ps I finally invested in an iPad. I should have done it years ago! There's a lot to learn, from using blogger to Word on a different platform, but I'm already seeing the benefit of such a portable system. I can see myself getting an iMac one day.

cleemckenzie said...

My solution to the television $$$$ is read more books!

I hate pop-ups of any kind, but especially those that block the page and ask me sign up for something.

Thanks for the shout out about Double Negative. I appreciate it a lot.

Reedsy has some great information and it's very well presented. Worth the visit.

Anne R. Allen said...

Thanks for the shout-out for my popups post, Alex! It's amazing how many people use them even though everybody hates them. I'll give the contest a shout-out in my Opportunities Alerts!

DMS said...

I have Netflix, but I only watch a limited amount of TV. You brought up a lot of good points about what will probably happen once more people want a slice of the pie!

Awesome to see so many new books. Happy Birthday to Jessica. Awesome cover! I think the lie is #2.

~Jess

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey, Sandra!

Murees, it's an app craze and it all costs extra.

Mason - funny!

Toi, it might be like when eCommerce exploded online. Some just won't survive.

Steven, and already several apps offer that, so why go for one that only has a few shows?

Ellie, your television tax is crazy. And glad you got an iPad! I couldn't live without mine. No iMac though. I'm a PC guy.

Lee, you're welcome.

Anne, I appreciate it!

Erika Beebe said...

I am guessing number 2. And movies...my fiance and I have got this one covered...well all except for number 13.
1. Blind side
2. Major League
3. Tin Cip
4. Sea Biscuit
5. Mystery Alaska
6.Rocky
7. Rudy
8. Invincible
9.???
10. Field of Dreams
11. Cool Runnings
12. Knight's Tale
13. ???
14. Blades of Fury
My spelling could be off ... lol

Have a great rest of your week Alex :)

M Pax said...

I'm disappointed by CBS's all access pass. I want more variety than one channel. We have cable, Netflix, and Hulu. We'll stop there. It will stop as people go where they get the best value.

Congrats to Jessica. I really like Christie's covers.

kaykuala said...

Happy birthday Jessica, at 21 already 2 novels. That's fantastic! We have Netflix here but it gets to be too expensive as a subscriber. Mainly because Hank seldom watches movies. Some great book releases there!

Hank

Rhonda Albom said...

So, if I understand what you are saying, there is no longer free TV in the USA? When we lived there last (16 years ago) we were in a valley and had on free TV.

When I saw your movies were sports movie trivia, I almost didn't even read the list, but to my surprise, I know over half of them.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, Alex! I'm so glad you brought this up! I was thinking about this not too long ago. I use television to distract me during my migraines so:

I have...get ready for this...Directv, Netflix, and Amazon (that's only because it comes with my Prime account so I can take it or leave it). I subscribe to HBO but that's the only movie channel I get. The only reason I have Directv is for the NFL package, but they are getting so expensive now that AT&T took over.

If CBS, NBC, etc. starting charging for their own content, then what's the point of having Directv and Netflix? I was going to drop the NFL package next year anyway because of the rising cost. It's just gotten to be too much.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Good job, Erika - you got eleven right.

Rhonda, there is free if you still want special rabbit ears. But not a lot.

Elsie, I have all that but the HBO. (That I subscribe to for one month to binge-watch Game of Thrones.) I didn't even do the NFL package this year because it was too much.

H.R. Bennett said...

Ironically, I think the TV situation is gonna come full circle. People will get sick of paying individual fees, someone will offer a 'package', and once again we will have television packages featuring our favorite channels (i.e. apps).

Birgit said...

I think the app wars are stupid and it really pisses me off that Star Trek will be on that streaming cbs channel. I hope it will show on the sci-fi network after. I am enjoying The Orville:) As for the Trivia, here are the one's I know
1. Blind Side-Nice, feel good movie based on true story
2. Tin Cup-fun flick
4. Hidalgo-LOVE this movie!!
5. Mystery, Alaska-A nice film done before Russell became huge-in all ways:)
6. Rocky plus all the others.....
10. Bull Durham-Fun-where Robbins and Sarandon met and became a couple for over 20+ yrs
11. Cool Runnings-I still miss John Candy
12. A Knight's Tale-Stupid movie
14. Blades of Glory-Stupid but I laughed so hard

I missed some but there are my answers

Mark said...

Yay fo the shout out for Lee's book! And those covers from Helena Soister look pretty cool too:)

Maurice Mitchell said...

The subscriber war is ridiculous Alex. After about five subscriptions (ex. Netflix, Hulu, Sling, CBS Access, Disney) you're paying about as much as you would for cable. Competition is a good thing, but it doesn't always work out well for the consumer.

Brandon Ax said...

Yeah I have been watching this close. I think it will hurt them in the end. I love Netflix and the rate they are putting out original content I think it will be the one thing I stick with.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Jessica, 21! Wow, I think that's wonderful. To be 21 and twice published. Awesome for you. Says a lot about your gift. Off to visit your blog and say howdy to Alex.

Magic Love Crow said...

I think the cost of tv has gone crazy! My brother always talks about "apps". I don't have any! LOL! I don't own a cell phone. I don't need an app yet for tv, if I do, I might turn it off! Happy Birthday Jess! The book sounds wonderful! Thanks Alex for all the information! Truly appreciate everything!

Tamara Narayan said...

The app war! Yes! I see a big problem brewing with that. We cancelled our cable about six or so years ago because we didn't like paying around 90 bucks a month for basically CNN (breakfast viewing for husband) and The Disney Channel (the kids). We did get Netflix soon after and have been happy with that. But ever so often, I'll see a show on another service or channel and salivate. So far, I've been patient and purchased a few things when they came out on DVD such as the Game of Thrones Series, Big Little Lies, and Stephen King's 11/22/63 and I know I'm going to want to see The Handmaid's Tale someday. Those things aren't exactly cheap though. Now that the pay-for-this-that-and-everything has begun, I don't know if we can stop it at this point.

Mina Burrows said...

1 - Blindside
2 - MajorLeague
3 - TinCup
4 - Hildago - but for some reason I wanted to say Desperado?
5 - ???
6 - Rocky
7 - ???
8 - ???

Oh, I don't know anymore. Crap!

Congrats to Jessica and to all the other writers and their new releases.

Have a great weekend!

mail4rosey said...

That's a little ... lot goofy about the apps. I do have one (Netflix) and use it every once in awhile. TV has definitely evolved since I was a kid.

Damyanti Biswas said...

In Singapore, I'm still far away from the app war. We just got Netflix this year :)

Thanks for compiling all the news-- I learn so much every time I visit!

Damyanti

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Robert, that would be nice!

Birgit, those are all correct. And miss John Candy as well.

Maurice, no it doesn't.

Brandon, NetFlix is still my favorite.

Crow, it was a long time before I got a cell phone. Now I'm hooked.

Tamara, buying DVDs can get expensive.

Mina, you got five!

Damy, that might be all you need.

Tara Tyler said...

yay for Jessica! and there's so many options for watching shows, it's impossible to know what to choose! Still, buzz will help. And apps are easy to turn on and off - but they may fix that too... it's all about money!

and thanks again, Alex for letting me help host IWSG - I enjoyed visiting around new blogs and blogs i haven't seen in a while!

Tara Tyler Talks

Mason T. Matchak said...

All this TV app stuff makes me glad I only watch one show. >_< As for where it's going, what matters most, I think, is what consumers will pay for. No matter what shows people want to watch, eventually they'll decide when it's not worth it to them to purchase yet another monthly subscription, and we'll see what happens then.

Karen Peterson said...

The CBS All Access thing in particular makes me angry. Because I'm already paying a lot for Direct TV, which gives me CBS. Except now they want me to pay again for additional content? Nope. Not happening. Especially when it is a lie. It doesn't give you access to all of CBS.

Deniz Bevan said...

Congratulations, Jessica!

These online access things are particularly trying because the rights differ from country to country -- what we have available on Swiss Netflix is not the same as the US or Canadian versions at all!

Cynthia said...

I will think positive thoughts for Christopher. Thanks for sharing this update.