On this week’s show we look at where some Americans are spending nearly $100 a month on streaming services. We also look at some new tech from Sony that promises big improvements for LED TVs. All that plus your emails and the week’s news on this episode of the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast.

News:

• Apple TV+, Jason Sudeikis confirm fourth season of ‘Ted Lasso’
• Lawsuits Hit TCL & Hisense: Are Their QLED TVs A Total Scam?
• Sony Launches Its First New 4K Blu-ray Player In Over Five Years

Other:

• Spectrum is finally offering a streaming-only subscription for Dodgers

Many Americans Spend Over $100 per Month on Subscription Services

A recent survey by Bango reveals that nearly 25% of Americans spend over $100 per month on subscription services, including streaming platforms and retail memberships like Amazon Prime. This trend marks a shift from the perception of subscriptions as cost-effective alternatives to traditional cable and satellite services, as consumers face rising costs—streaming plans alone have increased by over 20% in the past two years.

To manage expenses, many consumers are turning to subscription bundles, with the average American holding 5.4 subscriptions, including 2 that come through bundled packages. A significant portion of these bundles is linked to mobile phone plans, with 55% of subscribers benefiting from such arrangements. Additionally, 44% of users report receiving services for free through bundles that they previously paid for.

Convenience is another critical factor driving consumers toward bundles, as 41% express frustration with managing multiple subscriptions across different apps. A strong demand exists for unified platforms, with 63% of subscribers seeking more options like Verizon's +play.

Sony Develops Next-Generation Display System 

Full Press Release 

Sony has developed a next-generation display system featuring a high-density LED backlight with independent drive RGB (red, green, and blue) control, designed for large screens. This innovative technology allows each RGB color to emit light independently, resulting in high color purity and the ability to reproduce a vibrant, wide color gamut. 

Key features of this display system include:

1. Wide Color Gamut Performance: The system covers over 99% of the DCI-P3 color space and about 90% of the ITU-R BT.2020 standard, ensuring enhanced color reproduction.   
2. Advanced Backlight Control Technology: Sony's proprietary technology allows for precise control of light gradation, enabling subtle hues and detailed shading across the entire brightness range. This is particularly beneficial for cinematic productions, where accurate color representation is crucial for conveying narrative expression.

Accurate Color Reproduction by a Dedicated Control Processor

​By individually controlling the brightness of the densely packed RGB LEDs, it is possible to render bright areas vividly without white clipping and to delicately depict the nuances of light in dark areas without black crushing. Additionally, the display system is equipped with approximately twice the processing power and pixel correction technology compared to conventional local dimming processing, allowing the reproduction of subtle color differences and accurate colors without color shifts.

The display system aims to enhance film production and home viewing experiences, aligning with Sony's commitment to supporting creators through professional-grade monitors used for color grading and reference. Mass production of this new display system is set to begin in 2025, with plans for integration into consumer televisions and displays for content creation.