NimbleTV officially launches in NYC, streams cable shows to mobile

By Mike Flacy December 10, 2013

nimbletv officially launches new york city streams cable shows mobile ipad tv guide — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Previously rolled out as a beta test during Spring 2012, NimbleTV launched to the public this week in New York City. While there are some similarities to Aereo’s mobile streaming video service, NimbleTV is attempting to cooperate to a certain degree with the various cable companies that provide service in NYC. In short, NimbleTV streams cable TV channels to iOS mobile devices (Android coming soon), Roku set-top box hardware and computers.

Of course, a NimbleTV user must be an existing cable TV subscriber and authenticate their Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FIOS or RCN subscription with NimbleTV. This option costs between $4 to $7 each month and provides streaming access to 24 common channels along with 20 to 90 hours of HD DVR service depending on the subscription level.

Another option allows users to subscribe to a cable channel package through the NimbleTV service. While NimbleTV doesn’t specify which provider is being used for the subscription, options include 31 channels with 20 hours of HD DVR service for $30 a month, 42 channels (30 in high definition) with 90 hours of HD DVR service for $55 a month or 96 channels (50 in high definition) with 90 hours of HD DVR service for $80 a month.

NimbleTV-homescreen-laptop — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Much like Aereo charging users to rent an HD antenna, consumers would conceptually be paying NimbleTV to rent a remote cable box. Different from Aereo, NimbleTV is paying the cable companies for access to the channels.

According to NimbleTV, users will need a minimum 2Mbps Internet connection in order to stream content to their devices. However, users are limited to a single connection at a time. While family plans are in the works, someone with multiple members in their household would likely run into competition over the single stream. Users can purchase additional DVR time as needed in 10 hour increments each month for an additional $0.99 monthly fee.

While NimbleTV is limited to NYC for the moment, future U.S. cities that NimbleTV plans to expand into include Dallas, Boston, Los Angeles and Chicago according to Mashable. Regarding the legality of the service, NimbleTV could eventually see resistance from cable companies since the majority would likely prefer to charge premium monthly fees for mobile device access as part of a typical subscription package.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Mobile

Contributing Editor

By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…

Audio / Video

Cut the cord: Quit cable for the best streaming services

The LG G1 Gallery Series OLED TV.

So you want to cut the cord and join the streaming revolution? There are so many on-demand streaming services available now such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+ to name a few. Add to that that the growing selection of live TV streaming services, such as Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, ESPN+, and YouTube TV, as well as live HD broadcasts with an antenna. The whole thing can be rather confusing, especially when you're trying to pick the best streaming services for you. We'll walk you through everything you need to know to finally cut the cord and kick cable to the curb.

Not everyone is cut out to be a cord-cutter, though. Ditching your satellite or cable subscription and the bill it carries sounds great in theory, but it's not something you want to rush into without a bit of research. Let's go through the best methods for dropping traditional cable in favor of some of the best streaming services.
First things first: How's your internet?
The thing about internet-delivered TV is that you need a broadband connection that can keep up with the streaming lifestyle. This may seem like a foregone conclusion, but we want to make it clear that if you're going to bet your precious entertainment future on your home network, you had better have a solid internet connection. Netflix and other similar streaming video services suggest a minimum downstream speed of 5Mbps for HD streaming, but if you have inadequate home internet connection (like 5Mbps) that is not going to allow for a smooth streaming service experience, especially when you consider other devices also using the connection. You will likely experience buffering and possible crashing of the show you are streaming, especially for those with families or households streaming more than one show or movie at a time.
High-quality streaming needs higher-speed internet
Of course, if you're looking to get into the streaming big leagues to access the growing array of 4K Ultra HD streaming content available from Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, YouTube, and others, you'll want to kick up your broadband speed to at least 25Mbps. If you're only going to be downloading 4K content from sites like FandangoNow or Ultraflix -- which offer 4K content at speeds as low as 4Mbps to 10Mbps -- 25Mbps will probably suffice, but regardless of which streaming service you select, fast and reliable internet is key to a positive streaming experience.
Peak internet usage time can affect your streaming
We also recommend testing your internet speed at peak streaming hours (between 6 and 10 p.m. on weekdays) to determine if your neighborhood struggles under the strain of heavy traffic. For example, if you routinely get around 10Mbps downloads during the day, but that speed takes a dive to about 3Mbps around dinner time, you'll want to call your internet provider to see if anything can be done. Fortunately, this is an increasingly rare problem outside of rural areas, but better to check ahead.
Check your home network equipment
Don't forget to check your home network equipment. Most modern routers and modems should offer up all the speed you need, but non-gigabit equipment may not suffice for simultaneous 4K streams. Any hiccups in your experience also may be caused by weird technical issues such as improper port forwarding, wireless interference, or other random things that are tricky to track down, some of which we'll attempt to help you troubleshoot. If you're unsure about any of it, be sure to give your internet service provider a call.

Audio / Video

Combined HBO Max/Discovery+ streaming service to launch in summer 2023

HBO Max and Discovery+ app icons.

We're finally starting to get a little clarity about what the future looks like for HBO Max and Discovery, which now fall under the same roof, causing a bit of a shockwave in the entertainment industry not just from the platform side, but more recently by taking a pretty heavy hatchet to shows and movies.

During Thursday's second-quarter earnings call, executives of the new Warner Bros. Discovery said to expect the launch of a new service that combines HBO Max and Discovery+ in the summer of 2023. The United States is up first, with 39 counties in Latin America to follow later in the year. Europe will launch in 2024 — though that doesn't currently include the U.K. and Germany, followed by Asia-Pacific and new markets later in that year. It's possible that some markets may see an accelerated rollout, however.

Audio / Video

YouTube TV now available in 5.1 surround sound on Amazon Fire TV devices

youtube tv spanish language channels

In 2021, Google's YouTube let it be known that it had finally updated its YouTube TV subscription live TV streaming service with 5.1 surround sound, a move that had been eagerly anticipated by its subscribers since, well, forever. But it only covered select smart TV platforms like LG and Samsung. Then, in early June 2022, the service announced that more devices and platforms were joining the 5.1 party, with the addition of Roku, Android TV, and Google TV. But for some reason, Amazon's Fire TV, the most popular streaming platform in the world, didn't make the 5.1 cut. Until now.

As of June 23, 2022, Amazon says that, "Fire TV Stick 4k Max, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick Lite all now support YouTube TV's 5.1 surround sound feature." Curiously, Amazon has made no mention of its other Fire TV devices, like its own Fire TV Omni 4K TV, the original Fire TV Stick 4K, or the aging Fire TV Cube. Still, it appears that now pretty much everyone who wants YouTube TV in 5.1 surround sound can get it. Oh, well except for Apple TV owners and those who use game consoles to watch live TV streaming. These folks are still stuck in two-channel stereo, at least for the time being.