VIDGO could be an important addition to the video streaming market

Earlier this week at CES, VIDGO, a new entrant in the increasingly crowded pay TV and alternative TV space, was introduced. The company, helmed by DIRECTV veteran Robert Kostensky, promised “the most channels” from lives linear TV and video on demand, across all platforms, and at a low price. The service will launch in the first half of the year in 15 markets. “VIDGO combines the best of existing online streaming services with live television and VOD,” said Robert Kostensky, VIDGO president and co-founder. “VIDGO is the lowest cost solution to deliver the most expansive catalog of live linear television and VOD to all devices and connected televisions.” If this article seems short on details, it’s not because I’m holding anything back: the announcement noticeably stopped short on which channels would be included and how much the three packages it intends to introduce will cost. Still, VIDGO is interesting because if it does make good on offering channels people actually want to watch, including local channels (noticeably missing from all current streaming upstarts except Sony Vue), at an affordable price, it will provide yet another compelling option for cord cutters. Current pay TV subscribers stand to benefit most from announcements like this. Pay TV companies will be forced to offer more attractive skinny bundles – packages that include less channels at lower prices – which, by the way, they will gladly do as it gives them the leverage with content providers.