Bundles on Bundles—and Still No Simplicity

Welcome to this edition of Whitepaw Wire—where the more things change in streaming, the more they start to look familiar. From new bundles that feel suspiciously like old cable packages to smart TVs asking for Wi-Fi passwords like it’s their full-time job, we’re diving into what’s driving viewers (and providers) a little bit crazy—and where there’s real opportunity in the chaos. If you’re trying to keep up with the headlines and keep your customers happy, you’re in the right place.

New Podcast Episode: Is Video Really Dying? (Spoiler: Not Even Close)

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Scott Meyer from Innovative Systems to talk about the results from their 10th annual World Broadband Subscriber Survey. If you’ve been hearing that video is on its way out, Scott’s data—and his real-world experience—tell a very different story.

This one’s for the folks who actually serve rural America, not just talk about it.

Here’s what we dug into:

• Bundled broadband and video services still make a big difference when competing for new subscribers

• Live TV is alive and well—especially when customers actually understand what qualifies as “live”

• Rural viewers want simplicity—one bill, one provider, fewer headaches

• Antennas? Not exactly a go-to solution when you’re surrounded by trees, hills, or just too far from a tower

As Scott put it, video’s kind of like that stubborn weed in your yard. Just when you think it’s gone, it comes right back—and it’s still valuable.

This episode is laid-back, honest, and full of insights for local providers looking to stay competitive and keep delivering what their communities want.

Listen to the episode here

Want a free copy of the full survey results? Scan the QR code in the episode or reach out and we’ll get it to you.

130 Million Viewers Can’t Be Wrong

Amazon’s AVOD Numbers Prove Streaming’s Future Is Ad-Supported

There’s no denying it now—AVOD (ad-supported video on demand) isn’t just a passing trend; it’s the new default.

Amazon recently confirmed that more than 130 million U.S. customers are now watching Prime Video with ads. That’s right—130 million people are willingly opting into a model that, not long ago, many saw as a compromise. And this number reflects usage just since January when Amazon rolled out ads as the standard for Prime Video content unless subscribers paid extra for ad-free streaming.

For providers, platforms, and infrastructure partners, this signals a massive behavioral shift: users value cost savings over an ad-free experience, and they’re adapting quickly to hybrid monetization models that once seemed risky.

From a business perspective, Amazon’s move is brilliant—keeping Prime membership fees steady while unlocking a new revenue stream via targeted advertising. For network and service providers, though, it means something else entirely:

Ad-supported streaming = longer viewing sessions, higher bandwidth use, and more demand on content delivery infrastructure.

That’s especially true as more AVOD platforms start leaning into personalized, real-time ad delivery, which further increases complexity behind the scenes.

This milestone also validates what many in the industry have been sensing—premium, ad-supported streaming is becoming the norm, not the fallback. And if Amazon can shift this many users in just a few months, others will follow suit.

Read the full story on MSN

CNN Expands Access with New Streaming Tier: CNN is launching an “All Access” subscription tier that bundles its content into a single app experience—another move toward simplifying the chaos of content overload and giving subscribers one place to watch everything.

YouTube to Stream NFL Game for Free—A First: YouTube just raised the bar in sports streaming by announcing a free, live NFL game during the 2025 season. It's a major moment in the growing shift toward ad-supported, mass-access sports content on digital platforms.

Netflix Adds Vertical Video to Keep Viewers Hooked: Netflix is testing a TikTok-style vertical video feed inside its mobile app to keep users engaged between longer sessions. This move blurs the line between traditional streaming and short-form social video, giving providers another reason to rethink engagement strategies.

Fox Nation One: Another Player Enters the Streaming Arena: Fox is launching Fox Nation One this fall, combining live news, opinion shows, and exclusive content into a single platform. It's another signal that the streaming space isn’t just growing—it’s reshaping itself to look a lot more like cable, only on-demand and unbundled.

Digital Is the Default—Now What?

A new report just confirmed what many of us have been seeing for a while now: the majority of U.S. TV viewers are choosing digital video first—before cable, before satellite, before anything else.

This isn’t just a trend anymore. It’s the new normal.

So what does that mean for local broadband and video providers?

It means your customers are opening apps before they’re picking up the remote. It means the competition isn’t just the provider in the next county—it’s Netflix, YouTube TV, and every on-demand option sitting on a smart TV home screen.

But it also means something else: local still matters.

Your customers may want streaming, but they also want support they can actually reach. They want one bill. They want to trust that their service will work when they hit play. And that’s where local providers still have the edge.

The takeaway: if you’re still treating video like an add-on, it might be time to rethink the bundle.

Here’s the full breakdown: Majority of U.S. TV consumers choose digital video first

New Bundles, New Rules

SiriusXM and Fox Nation are teaming up—and not in the way you might expect. They just announced a new streaming bundle that gives subscribers access to both platforms in a single package.

On the surface, it’s just another media partnership. But for those of us watching how content is being delivered (and paid for), it’s another sign that streaming is starting to look a lot like cable—just rebranded.

People don’t want to manage 8 different apps and 8 different bills. They want simple. They want bundled. And big media companies are catching on.

So what’s the takeaway for rural providers?

This is your reminder that packaging matters. When broadband is bundled with video—or even just positioned as part of a smarter, all-in-one solution—you’re not just selling speed. You’re offering peace of mind, convenience, and one less thing to figure out.

As national brands start bundling audio, video, news, and more, local providers have an opportunity to do the same—just with more personal service and way better support.

Take a look at the details: SiriusXM and Fox Nation announce new streaming bundle

That’s a wrap on this edition of Whitepaw Wire. Whether you're untangling the latest bundle, rolling your eyes at another app update, or figuring out how to meet your customers where they are (without losing your sanity), just remember—simplicity still sells. And in a world of scattered screens and subscription fatigue, providers who make things easy, local, and reliable aren’t just surviving—they’re winning.

Until next time, keep your remotes charged and your logins handy.

Emily Call