2017 is coming to an end, and we have already looked at some of the stories we know will happen in 2018. Now let’s take a look at some predictions—things we think will happen.
These are just my personal guesses at what we will see in 2018. Just because it is listed here does not mean it will happen.
So let’s dive into what Cord Cutters News thinks will happen in 2018…
#1 Streaming Services Shutting Down
2018 will likely see a flood of streaming services not make it. There are currently over 200 streaming services just in the United States with more on the way. At some point not all of them can make it because there are multiple streaming services trying to offer the same content.
Look for a few—not many—to go under in 2018. When that happens, there will be a flood of stories about how cord cutting is over. Just laugh and move along. What is really happening is a supply and demand issue. The supply is starting to outpace the demand as more services launch in 2018.
I don’t expect any of the legal live TV streaming services to go under in 2018, but it is possible. Right now all of the live TV streaming services on the market today have plenty of capital—thanks to investors and their parent companies—to make it through 2018 and most of 2019. It could happen, but it won’t be because they ran out of money.
#2 New Streaming Players
Having new streaming players hit the market is an easy prediction, so let’s take a look at what players I think will see an update in 2018.
First, look for a new Amazon Fire Stick. Right now the Amazon Fire Stick is the oldest streaming player from the big three. Roku and Apple have released new and updated versions of their streaming players recently leaving Amazon’s Fire Stick as the oldest device on the market.
Look for Amazon to release an updated Fire Stick with a faster processor, but I wouldn’t be looking for a 4K Fire Stick because Amazon is likely trying to keep the Fire Stick price down.
Second, watch for new Roku TVs. Not just updated models from current Roku TV manufacturers but also new brands switching their operating system over to the Roku TV. Who that will be is anyone’s guess, but watch for several TV manufacturers to jump on board with Roku in 2018.
#3 In 2018 it will be harder to spot piracy.
In 2017 we started to see a flood of a new kind of piracy services—services that want you to think they are legitimate.
In the past it was easy to spot piracy, because it was free and offered content you typically had to pay for. Now a growing group of piracy services charge you to use the service. Not only do they charge, but many of them also look extremely professional.
In 2018 keep an eye out for a flood of new professional-looking piracy services.
#4 Piracy Lawsuits
2017 saw the start of a flood of legal action against streaming services and devices that promoted or facilitated piracy.
In 2018 look for a flood of lawsuits against everything from people promoting how to access pirated content to end users who may have thought what they did was legal. How far this will go is unknown, but content owners have made it clear they plan to stop illegal streaming of their content and they seem to be falling back on an old standby method of suing anyone and everyone who they can get their hands on.
#5 Cord Cutting Growth
Watch for a flood of new cord cutters in 2018. As cord cutting becomes easier we have seen cord cutting grow faster. Look for cord cutting to be easier than ever in 2018, which will drive a growth in cord cutting like never before.
So what would you add to this list? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more news, tips, and reviews.
Need cord cutting tech support? Join our new Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.