Flixed Newsletter 1 - Sept.23/2019

Flixed Newsletter - Read This Before You Buy That Smart TV!

Issue 44: September 23, 2019

Smart TVs may seem like a good, easy investment, but they're also not what they seem. This week, we dive into a few key reasons why you may want to think hard before you purchase your next smart TV. And as always, we have a few key news blips (AT&T wants to ditch DirecTV Now? What??) and a quick streaming guide for this week (The Good Doctor is back!).Read on to find out more in this week's Stream Report.

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Cord-Cutting Tip of the Week:

Before You Buy a Smart TV, Read This

TV-connected streaming devices like the Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV are all the rage right now, but so too are smart TVs. Smart TVs typically come packaged with a load of apps and a user interface to operate them. But are smart TVs a better investment than regular TVs combined with a TV-connected device?

Before you go out and purchase a smart TV, make sure you consider these points.

1. Smart TVs Are Collecting Your Data

Smart TVs are increasingly cheap on the market. You can even get some 55 inch smart TVs for under $200, depending on the brand. At that price, what's not to like?

But that price comes at the cost of data collection. Multiple reports have found that

. The companies can then sell that data for big bucks. So while you may be able to grab up a cheap smart TV on the market, you're also signing up to give you sensitive viewing data away to the highest bidder.

2. Smart TVs Do Not Update As Frequently

Device makers want you to upgrade your device eventually. That's why they eventually drop support for older devices. This is true across any device type, from mobile phones to smart TVs. But smart TV makers are

. To wit, don't expect your smart TV to last you for decades like your old tube TV did, or even earlier model flat screens. A limited number of firmware updates means the core reason you bought the smart TV will stop working after a few years.

3. You Have Limited Control of the Apps

The good thing is that your smart TV comes loaded with apps. The bad thing is that those apps usually come with an inability to get rid of them. Most smart TV makers have agreements to load apps onto the TV from certain companies (like Netflix). And that agreement usually comes with the stipulation that those apps can't be deleted. This is a practice that smartphone makers are quickly dropping, but not so much in the smart TV market. 

4. Smart TVs Aren't All Bad

It's not all doom and gloom. Smart TVs can be a good investment if the price is right. As well, you can buy Android, Roku, or Amazon-enabled smart TVs that at least help ensure you'll receive more adequate device support or more control over the device. 

As well, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a regular "dumb" TV these days. TV makers are far too enamored with collecting and monetizing your data. Don't be surprised if a smart TV is all you can buy in the near future.

Our advice:

If you can find one, purchase a regular TV and a TV-connected streaming device,

. 

 

This Week's Streaming Guide

1. 'The Good Doctor' Season 3 Premieres TONIGHT

The break-out hit medical show,

The Good Doctor

, returns for its third season this week on ABC. Watch the premiere live at 9 PM on Monday, September 23. -

2. 'The Good Place' Season 4 Premieres this THURSDAY

In what is rumored to be its final season, NBC's

The Good Place

returns to pick up on its season 3 cliffhanger ending. Watch live on Thursday, September 26 at 9 PM. -

News and Industry Developments

1. Blockbuster Could Have Bought Netflix for $50 Million. Its CEO Thought Netflix Was a Joke

Blockbuster was the undisputed king of home video throughout the late 80s and into the 90s. But its lack of vision helped lead to its demise in the wake of Netflix. -

2. AT&T Wants to Ditch Its Satellite TV Service, DirecTV

Not long after changing the name of DirecTV Now service to AT&T TV Now, the rumor mill is swirling that AT&T wants to dump its DirecTV satellite TV service. - 

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