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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 6, 2022 12:44:55 GMT -5
Peacock Premium will cost $4.99/month. This has been announced in every article about it, so there is no need for anyone to guess how much it will cost.
In most areas, NBC is part of a cable package. So nobody is watching Days for free; most people are paying $100-200/month for the privilege. People who switch to streaming only are saving a ton of money.
As the director stated, the show is not changing anything but how it is broadcast. That means it will be on 5 times/week and likely will be available at any time of the day one wants to watch. There will be no more interruptions for sports or news breaks. For years, fans have asked for NBC to put sports and news on a separate channel from Days. By moving to Peacock and putting news on NBC they have done just that.
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Post by wendylou on Aug 6, 2022 13:11:07 GMT -5
When I am home on a weekday I can get NBC on my antenna and this is free. There are actually quite a lot of people who use antennas after cutting the cord. Yes, normally I do watch thru streaming but just to be clear, at this time it actually is possible to watch for free.
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Post by doolfan4life on Aug 6, 2022 14:24:41 GMT -5
Some of us don’t get nbc as well
So I sometimes get it on a free site but not always
While 4.99 a month might not be bad, it’s not doable in my case with only one income
As a carer I get less than min wage and don’t have an option for another job as being a carer is full time plus overtime
I don’t even know that I can get peacock here I couldn’t even download the nbc app because of my IP address
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Post by billiereed on Aug 6, 2022 14:44:38 GMT -5
It feels like the end of an era somehow...
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Post by horizon on Aug 6, 2022 18:44:26 GMT -5
It feels like the end of an era somehow... It IS the end of an era. Again, for some it is no big deal. They have the means and the money and the tech savvy to absorb this rather seamlessly. But for the majority of Days watchers, it is a royal slap in the face. Some people don't check all of those boxes and it puts them in a very tough situation. As far as the $4.99 a month price tag it is true that Xfinity customers are charged that unless you are on a tier that waives that monthly charge. What I don't know is if you are on a lower tier can you just add Peacock and the $4.99 price tag to your bill or do you have to upgrade to a higher tier which will cost a pretty penny. I think you might have to since it is a streaming service, and you might need internet service to sign up because they insist on wanting your e-mail. In otherwards if you don't have internet service with Xfinity but just cable do you have to add internet service in order to access Peacock? Talking money folks. Sorry but I am not sugarcoating this. A lot of people are going to be left out in the COLD. I dabbled with all this Peacock stuff this morning and frankly found it a pain in the neck. I just don't like the idea they are dumping people who don't have the means to watch it on Peacock. I think soap operas, like libraries should be available to the "common person." There is a touch of elitism to this move. And I find it hard to believe that Days will grow their audience on this new platform. I also find it dispiriting. Soap Operas are about imagination and as mentioned before at one time soaps were all the rage. I lost track but at one time there were so many soaps on the air your head would spin. I fondly remember the brouhaha that accompanied the introduction of a brand-new soap "Passions." We've come a long way baby since then. Downward. I know I sound like the Grinch but really, what we are staring at here is NBC farming out their most historically important show. This show is SO important one can't encapsulate it in a mere paragraph. I hope they succeed in their new format, and it looks like a diehard like me will be able to watch it, but I can't help feeling bad and a little guilty that those less fortunate will be left out in the cold. It just doesn't feel right to me. |
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 6, 2022 18:50:26 GMT -5
It feels like the end of an era somehow... In the sense that Days was the last soap to air on NBC yes. But it's not canceled, just moved to a different platform. It's more comparable to when it went from 30 min to 60 min IMO. |
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Post by fluffysmom on Aug 6, 2022 19:20:45 GMT -5
horizon - You need to have internet service to get Peacock or any other streaming apps but you don't need to have Comcast internet. You don't have to move to a higher tier of cable service to get the $4.99 price. That is the price.
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Post by Kpatch on Aug 6, 2022 19:35:04 GMT -5
You can view Peacock on your computer. You don't have to view it on television.
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Post by horizon on Aug 6, 2022 19:45:18 GMT -5
horizon - You need to have internet service to get Peacock or any other streaming apps but you don't need to have Comcast internet. You don't have to move to a higher tier of cable service to get the $4.99 price. That is the price. OK so what that means is if people who have the standard basic cable package with Comcast, which include NBC of course, they will have to buy a computer if they don't have one already. And that isn't cheap. You have to sign up to a service, whether with Comcast or elsewhere and if you do a double or triple pack with Comcast, we are talking a huge leap in cost. Not everyone has a computer at home. Heck, I didn't have one until 2020 and that one was sort of shaky. It wasn't until 2021 where I had a solid and reliable computer at home. I had to go to a library to get on a computer prior to 2020. So bottom line is if you have the internet, it will cost you $4.99 (plus taxes) every month. If you don't it means a major investment and there are consumers out there that can't swing that rather steep additional cost. I think people must realize not everyone is hip to being "plugged in" and ready at beck and call to switch over to Peacock like rolling out of bed. It is a major inconvenience for many and sadly for others it is the end of the road. One last thing. NBC royally botched the announcement. Wrapping bad news in a cheerful message doesn't cut it. To a least help mitigate the pain to some extent what they NEEDED to do was assure Days watchers that the show has been renewed another full year or two running thru 2024 or 2025. Which makes me think this whole thing is an experiment and NBC is waiting to see the results before committing to such long-term plans. We could be witnessing the old from the main house to the outhouse to the garbage bin scenario. Hope I am wrong but this whole charade reeks of insincerity. And not a word from cast members. No thoughts. Why? Because they aren't thrilled that's why. |
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Post by heroicmuse on Aug 6, 2022 19:57:31 GMT -5
horizon you can also watch via your phone. Days was renewed for 2 years last year if I recall correctly so there is no need to announce a renewal for 2023-2024 yet.
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Post by horizon on Aug 6, 2022 20:53:46 GMT -5
horizon you can also watch via your phone. Days was renewed for 2 years last year if I recall correctly so there is no need to announce a renewal for 2023-2024 yet. You are correct that the show runs thru roughly the spring of 2023 but that isn't that far away. A little reassurance would have helped the medicine go down. Watching a "TV" show on most computers alone is a downgrade in production values. The audio alone will be inferior. As for my phone. Ha. I have a Tracfone which I rarely even use. And besides even though I have a smaller HD TV (19 inches) I don't see how anyone can enjoy watching a show on such a tiny phone screen, but I guess the younger generation tolerates it. Don't get me started on them. Ha. I feel for them actually. They appear to be growing up in a worse era than I did. Two things I won't do. Watch Days on a computer screen or on my phone. Come September I will continue to watch Days on Peacock on my TV. Not happy about it but I will suck it up and tolerate the general annoyance of it all to tune in as long as I find it entertaining. I dread the thought of having to jump over to "General Hospital" on a full-time basis. I sort of dip my toes in once in a while. Don't even ask me about those other two soap opera duds currently on TV. Hell, if I had my way, I would love to see someone with guts come up with a nifty new soap opera for daytime TV on a major station without any strings attached. Sadly, I am talking about an alternative universe. |
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Post by UhSir on Aug 6, 2022 23:46:28 GMT -5
I'm dubious they actually have the full back catalog digitized and ready to go in terms of music (they either have to shell out for the original music or go through and mute/replace every song they've licensed, especially in the 80s and 90s episodes) and actor residuals and whatnot. I'm very ready to be surprised, though! I suspect we'll get yearly highlights or special episodes from throughout the run or something, at least to begin. I’m doubtful they will actually make all of the seasons available even if the music rights aren’t a problem. |
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Post by horizon on Aug 7, 2022 9:43:45 GMT -5
Before I draw up a crude analogy to the situation, I wanted to briefly mention what is behind this Xfinity move. It is a continuation of a game they have been playing where they force their customers into a corner, box them in so to speak, that practically forces them into shelling out more bucks for upgraded service. Which at the end of the day is paying more money for things you used to get at much lower prices. The service slightly upgraded while the cost skyrockets.
The most glaring example in recent years was when they upgraded to HD. I at the time had an analog set but after a while it became apparent, I would have to buy an HD set. So, after that over time I noticed my picture wasn't ideal and, in some situations, downright blurry. It turned out that in order to get a clear (normal) picture I would have to upgrade my cable service to HD which at the time was I think an extra ten bucks a month (before taxes) but I think that fee went up, but I can't tell since it is absorbed into my overall package. Add on the added expense of internet coverage well my costs shot up like a rocket ship.
So, in the course of a year or two I had to spring to buy a new TV and then upgrade my cable service in order to just get a clear picture on my TV. Never mind that before all this the TV wavelengths went off analog and customers who picked up their signals with TV antennas were forced to go out and buy a converter box which ran about 40 - 50 dollars. The government did send out relief rebates at that time but for those who have relied on antennas they will no longer be able to watch Days come September. It should be mentioned these customers already had to suffer thru constant news interruptions and during those times these folks were unable to watch what was interrupted. Unlike cable customers they couldn't retrieve the parts they missed later. And having used an Antenna TV with a converter box trying to pick up all four major networks clearly was a chore. Usually, two or maybe three came in OK. Maybe for people who could mount a TV on their roof things went better.
Now Xfinity has entered a new phase of the box in the customer game. Just announced, The Olympic Channel, owned by NBC/Xfinity, which requires a higher tier, will stop operations by the end of September. Where pray tell will they move their track and field and swimming coverage? Pretty good bet it will be Peacock.
Peacock and other like streaming channels are the next step by Xfinity and other cable companies to grab more money out of their customers. So, before it was upgrade to HD or else. Now it seems it is imperative to have home internet coverage to go along with your TV service or you are out of luck. So, the Peacock platform is a perfect example of Xfinity boxing in their customers forcing them to spend a lot more money to access important shows. Without the upgrades a customer will be left out in the cold.
You can bet NBC/Xfinity have big plans for Peacock. Just the past two years they have migrated a lot of their Premier League soccer coverage towards Peacock. Before that they would utilize their NBC sports network in addition to coverage on CNBC and NBC. But NBC Sports network suffered the fate that the Olympic Channel will face next month. It was axed paving the way for heavier Peacock coverage. Granted they still broadcast games on USA and NBC, but the Peacock coverage has increased dramatically.
I suspect Peacock will receive more migration and also original primetime like shows that in the past would have been part of an NBC lineup. The day is coming where an exciting new primetime TV show (if there is such a thing ha) will debut on Peacock, not NBC. A perfect example of this trend is Thursday Night Football. Previously they were all on the NFL network (sports package or extra tier) with a major network covering half of the games as well. This season it will EXCUSIVELY be shown on AMAZON PRIME. Welcome to the new frontier.
Actors are notoriously sensitive and since this Peacock move was out of their hands the Days cast can't be feeling good about this because they know at its root it is unfair to those less fortunate. I know damn well this doesn't sit well with them.
It is like a ship where the upper class, those with money and connections, are saved by the lifeboats while the lower deck poorer folk go down with the ship.
Sorry for sounding gloomy but I am being realistic. Is there any hope for those less fortunate? Perhaps. Depending how bad they want to watch Days there might be ways for many (but not all) of them to find a way. Xfinity (and other cable companies) offer a federal discount on internet service for those that meet the requirements which aren't that strict. Also look into local social service programs that may offer heavily discounted computer/internet deals. Or look into various devices that are substitutes for cable.
When my Tracfone had to be replaced and updated they sent me a free one. Perhaps a customer can remove a tier in order to pay for internet service and then dish out the 5 dollars a month for Peacock. In otherwards for some if they really want to watch Days bad enough there are avenues to explore that might make it viable. But it will probably also require some sacrifices too.
I want my second tier because of things like CNN and sports. But for those in a real bind maybe they can downgrade a tier but also pick up some sports on Peacock as a sort of relief valve. And like I mentioned above it seems likely Peacock will take over Olympic type sports like swimming and track and field. And they show golf, soccer and other sports as well.
The old is if there is a will there is a way. Not everyone will have the means to pull it off, but people should explore All of their options and government programs, whether local or federal that are out there to help cushion the blow. I do hope Days fans in these situations will find their way to shore like many others have when it comes to Days new home. Good luck to everyone on that score.
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Post by UhSir on Aug 7, 2022 10:19:39 GMT -5
What saddens me the most is that there has been zero consideration for most of the viewers who have watched since Days' first day. They are literally going to be cut off. Do these viewers number more than the ones who will follow online? I’m sure not even close. And that only makes it more sad.
It's not just about the money. But about that… The responses on social media about it not being a big deal because it's only $5/month or $50/year... I'm sorry, but if people don't have enough money to pay all of their bills now then $5 is a very BIG freaking deal! Another response is saying that “everybody” is already paying in their cable or satellite bill. Unbelievable! I’m sure if I showed a television antenna to each of those folks they wouldn’t know what it is. A VERY large number of people (not just elderly) watch television the old-fashioned way, broadcast Over The Air for free.
Even if they can afford the subscription, they have to be able to access it. Many residential facilities (again, not just elderly) don’t have individual internet access. But let's say they do, or live in their own home. Many are not able to navigate the website or manage switching between television devices. "Well, they can learn to do it." Again from the clueless who live only in their own world.
As for the claim that this is better than the alternative of being canceled. Yes, shows get canceled all of the time and everybody knows that and they are able to move on. But Days is going to continue and these folks will know it but can't go with it. So no, this is not better for them.
They are the fans who brought Days to where it is now. I've seen many posts on social media by a lot of "younger" fans saying they are watching because of them. I, my sister and mother are too. Her mother had a major stroke in her mid-50s, younger than I am now. During her early recovery one of her only concerns was to be able to watch "her stories." Days of our Lives helped her to escape for a tiny bit of each day for the next 30 years. My heart breaks because I know there are a lot of people like her out there right now who will not understand. They don’t come to forums. They don’t do social media. Many don't have family to help. And because of that they are unknown. And because of that the powers that be are acting like "Too bad, not sad, don’t care."
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Post by horizon on Aug 7, 2022 11:46:20 GMT -5
Well put UhSir. Putting the human face on what for many will be a tragedy. I would bet you the cast members have lost sleep thinking about the very people you describe above.
The roll out itself was botched. First of all, they should have given viewers a full six months to get ready for this drastic change. Give people ample time to figure out what to do.
Secondly Peacock should have set up a rebate or discount program for viewers who meet certain economic thresholds and provide RELIEF for them as they transition over to watching Days on Peacock. Not dissimilar to the rebate program the government offered when the airways went digital, and people had to buy converter boxes for their antenna set up TVs. The only difference being this time it would be targeted to low-income people exclusively. Not easy to do but still when there is a will there is a way. Like Peacock sending out mailers to everyone on how to apply for the rebates etc.
Thirdly there should be some mechanism in place to help those "not plugged in" to figure out how to set up a streaming show on their TV or computer etc. Volunteers who assist people in how to get things going.
And lastly people should be supplied a full range of options. As an example. A little old lady from Iowa who doesn't dig sports but likes to watch narrative driven shows and is a lifelong Days fanatic. She has the TV. So now the trick is to set up some Roku etc. type device where she can access Peacock. Hopefully someone buys her the Roku/Stick like device. Then with the subsidy I mentioned above she can resume watching Days and it won't cost her any more money than before.
But we don't live in that world, do we?
That said I urge financially (I'm not well off that's for sure) strapped viewers to EXPLORE all of your options including saving money through other government programs etc. to be able to absorb the five-dollar Peacock fee.
As for the fear there will be mass cast exits on Days that thinking is premature. Yes, some people have left for the time being, but they are also bringing in new characters. Time will tell on that score, but I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary at this point as far as cast exits.
While ultimately most important there is still more to life than just food and shelter. There is the spiritual nature of people who need to be enriched by things and for those who sought solace and entertainment in a show like Days it is sad that such a crucial part of their lives stands to be removed.
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