Intel is poised to deal a heavy blow to the cable TV industry.

Apparently intels new smart TV's will eventually have the ability for users to selectively subscribe to channels(its rumored that even specific shows as well) that they want to watch for just $80 a month as long as the TV is connected to the internet. IF done properly this may put up some stiff competition to current cable providers who only offer expensive bundles with channels that you never watch.

More on this:

http://www.businessinsider.com/intel-cable-2013-1#ixzz2GkSFccYf

I see alot of potential for this if they succeed, and I would even consider buying a smart TV in the near future if it did. What do you guys think ?

I think it most definitely could be cool, but if I'm not mistaken, smart TVs are still quite expensive. It could be great for someone who wants shows that are only offered on TV, but doesn't want full cable, but you can get a cable TV service for around the same price as the subscription Intel is proposing.

I would love to see this succeed, but I think the few major cable companies have such a strange hold over the market right now that it will be a while before we see some significant change.

I think it most definitely could be cool, but if I'm not mistaken, smart TVs are still quite expensive. It could be great for someone who wants shows that are only offered on TV, but doesn't want full cable, but you can get a cable TV service for around the same price as the subscription Intel is proposing.

I would love to see this succeed, but I think the few major cable companies have such a strange hold over the market right now that it will be a while before we see some significant change.

CityOfShips

so why would the networks want to work with intel if it would only make them less money?

so why would the networks want to work with intel if it would only make them less money?

JigglyWiggly_

no, the content providers, not cable co's

Ah, my fault. I would assume that there would be some benefits to having individual channels being purchased. For all we know at this point the money lost on the bundle deals could be made up with intel asking for a smaller cut maybe ? idk really.

In my country cable costs around 7$, so I don't think I'll switch anytime soon :D

intel asking for a smaller cut maybe ?MW2ismygame

The thing about T.V is, I don't actually know what i'm going to watch. I have a package that allows me to watch any channel I want. Sometimes I like to flick through the channels to just see what's on and see if I can find something decent. I have actually discovered a few shows this way.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but I hardly ever watch TV anymore since every show I want to see, is available online (and soooooo much more than that). Also, if I hook up a mediocre PC to my TV-set, it's still smarter (in terms of capabilities) than ANY crap they sell as "smart-tv".

Internet, Netflix, Fuse, etc TVs been obsolete and a waste of money for a long time.Legolas_Katarn

Agreed.

Though the only downside is a lot of decent shows get cancelled, because the networks didn't factor in viewers from places like Hulu, or Netflix.

Though that is a problem with the networks being slow to adapt.

$80 is to high. You can basically get most none premium channels for 60 a month.