Google Chromecast to launch in Thailand, AIS to start streaming HBO

[Jai Dee]

Google Chromecast to launch in Thailand, AIS to start streaming HBO

 

BY JONATHAN FAIRFIELD ON 2017-02-06

 

 

Google’s Chromecast will be available in Thailand from February 9.

 

Mobile operator AIS announced Monday it would be the first authorized stockist of Google’s online streaming dongle.

 

First launched in the United States in 2013, Chromecast lets users stream online video and use apps via their TV.

 

The tiny device plugs to your TV via the HDMI port, connects to your wifi network and lets you use your Android smartphone or tablet as a remote control for your TV.

 

It can also be used to help you access wider internet services from your TV.

 

When Chromecast is available in Thailand it will launch with a small selection of apps, including popular streaming services Netflix, HOOQ and iFlix, as well as YouTube, Daily Motion and Angry Birds Friends.

 

Plex, Google Chrome and TuneIn Radio will also be available.

While the official launch date is to be confirmed, AIS has confirmed Chromecast will be available for 1490 THB.

 

AIS also announced Monday that it will start streaming some of the HBO channels that have recently been dropped by TrueVisions.

 

AIS said it will add a number of channels including HBO HD, HBO Family, HBO Signature, Cinemax, FX and National Geographic.

 

AIS customers will able to watch the channels via the AIS Playbox through its iOS and Android app.

 

AIS said it will announce pricing before the April, which is when the service is expected to go live.

 

In December, rival TrueVisions announced it will no longer be broadcasting six HBO channels, much to the fury of customers.

 

Original article by ThaiTech here.

[Encid]

21 hours ago, Jai Dee said:

AIS also announced Monday that it will start streaming some of the HBO channels that have recently been dropped by TrueVisions.

It just goes to show that TrueVisions were outright lying when they gave their reasons for dropping HBO.

Good riddance!

[mtls2005]

Not surprising...given the power True/CP wield, especially against a foreign "interloper" like AIS.

 

Suddenly, just like that, AIS needs a broadcast license for HBO Go

 

At last week’s AIS Vision 2017, the biggest coup for the operator was announcing that it had convinced HBO and Fox to jump ship from rival and long-time incumbent TrueVisions – the cable TV sister company to TrueMove – and join its own pay-TV bouquet. The deal, particularly in regards to HBO, has led to many consumer complaints and has become an ongoing saga in the broadcasting sector, not least because many customers are locked into triple/quad play packages that are suddenly lacking in television content. The sad thing is that while AIS has hyped up the availability of HBO Go video-on-demand as part of its HBO deal, the regulator just had to step in and throw a spanner in the works.

 

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said in a series of tweets that AIS could not offer VOD for HBO and its new partners without first obtaining a broadcasting license. Never mind the fact that everyone else is offering VOD via OTT – because they have one noose around AIS’ neck already, the regulator thinks they can impose even more restrictions on them. Thankfully nobody seems to be paying attention to Supinya this time round.

 

https://disruptive.asia/ais-broadcast-license-hbo-go/

[RichCor]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said in a series of tweets that AIS could not offer VOD for HBO and its new partners without first obtaining a broadcasting license.

 

I wonder if the Thai government will also want to enforce the ability for absolute 'take over' all of the active streams, like they do now on Cable and Satellite feeds, so no-one has an alternative choice of what to watch when they do their happiness broadcasts 

 

Uninterrupted, uncensored streams is one of the things I like about having my content delivered over the Internet.

[Mooner]

Cant see the point in Chromecast. Bought one over a year ago. Waste on money.

Killing your phone battery and running the chromecast when you could just buy a android box and be set

[RichCor]

5 hours ago, Mooner said:

Cant see the point in Chromecast. Bought one over a year ago. Waste on money.

Killing your phone battery and running the chromecast when you could just buy a android box and be set

 

It's supposed to offload the stream to the chromecast device, though the phone can remain linked to control play/pause and volume settings. 

[Encid]

18 hours ago, RichCor said:

Uninterrupted, uncensored streams is one of the things I like about having my content delivered over the Internet.

[MJCM]

Sorry if this is a bit offtopic.

 

But does anyone know if you can watch HBO (on AIS ) if you don't have Internet from AIS  but another provider ??

[RichCor]

3 hours ago, MJCM said:

Sorry if this is a bit offtopic.

 

But does anyone know if you can watch HBO (on AIS ) if you don't have Internet from AIS  but another provider ??

 

I have TOT FTTx for Internet, but as I am an AIS/1-2Call customer I could create a free account for AIS Play. Pretty sure they sent me a short auth code via AIS Text SMS to validate the account/app.

 

Yet the AIS website FAQ for AIS Play App says it will only work on the AIS 3G and 4G network.  Works fine for me over my TOT FTTx via WiFi.

 

The AIS PlayBox (AIS-branded Android TV Set Top Box) is only available to AIS Fibre customers. (Not sold separately)

[RichCor]

--- Of Additional Interest

 

It's been mentioned that AIS doesn't currently allow multiple AIS PlayBox devices on a single AIS FTTx connection.

 

Help w/changing over to fiber internet
Started by junglechef, February 16

 

PIB -post 14

 

[...]
When it comes to having more than one Playbox, all I know is what the one AIS Fibre Call Center rep told me...the rep spoke good English. I even asked him "are you sure?"....he put me on hold for about a minute as the rep supposedly wanted to ask his supervisor...when the rep came back on line he once again said only "one Playbox per line/plan."  

I expect the Playbox MAC code/serial number is married to the system upstream just like how TrueVision settop boxes/subscription cards are married to the system....just like how DOCSIS/cable modems are married to a system....just like how fiber optics routers are married to the system. While I'm [sure] AIS could allow more than one Playbox per line, "if what the rep told me is indeed correct" for whatever reason they are not allowing it now [...]

 

I find this single AIS PlayBox per AIS FTTx connection very odd.  

TrueVisions Cable and Satellite subscriptions allowed for multiple set top boxes on a single account.

For AIS not to allow for multiple PlayBox Set Top Box connections/subscriptions on an AIS FTTx connection just seems like poor business management. 

 

So, if you have multiple TV's in your household and want to subscribe to AIS media content, like HBO, and watch it on some other TVs --- looks like they'll each need a Google Chromecast device (subject of current thread) and use it with an Apple iOS or Android OS device that has AIS Play (application) downloaded, installed and authorized (via a AIS mobile phone account) then select to 'stream' the desired content to that Chromecast enabled TV.  ...Yeah, this is the perfect multiple-connection-point rollout  :-(

 

On the plus side, you can use the AIS Play (mobile application) with any Thai Internet Provider connection.

The AIS PlayBox can only be used on an AIS FTTx connection. And the hardware hasn't been upgraded in a long while.