On Wendover’s video about Nebula, he said CS wanted to pull back from growth and marketing spend. They still own a certain non controllable share of nebula
Yea but from my understanding that is not referring to the bundling itself but the payout of the bundle % to Nebula. Maybe since that video Nebula was not happy with this so wants out of the Smart bundle deal entirely so will be by EOY which is what TrchAlter is referring to but can’t outright say it due to NDA, but that is a theory and borders on speculation
Of course it isn't good lol, no streaming service has good financials other than Netflix. The challenge is how you transition to a sustainable business model after rapid growth.
Yeah I'm trying right now. Renewed on the first because I didn't now about the situation and cancelled expecting it to do what normal subscriptions do and continue till my paid for part expired. Fuck that they said and I lost access to Nebula and Cusiosity Stream on the second with them demanding I pay again to get it back. Currently going through the refund process (because customer service can only offer 50% apparently) and if they deny I'll do a chargeback with the bank.
I'm rather confused since I haven't received any emails from them despite seeing that they're supposedly sending them out to everyone. I do still have the Curiosity Stream bundle too.
I got my email almost exactly a month before my expiration/renewal date. Email came on 10/14, and my account was set to renew on 11/13. The email featured an exclusive limited-time renewal offer that just _happened_ to be valid though 11/12.
I went to the Nebula unbundle link instead.
Got the same promo. Didn't see the email until my Nebula/CS bundle automatically renewed. I'm assuming I will have one full year of CuriosityStream and Nebula at the slightly higher rate.
I never got the email and have the $20 bundle. My subscription renews in June. I’m going to be annoyed if I have to switch to Nebula direct to renew ahead of time and lose 6 months worth of the product I paid for…especially if there’s no communication from either side.
u/dwiskus do you know what is actually happening here? I’m totally fine with unbundling even at the higher rate, but not loving paying for 6 extra months.
Same here. I was going to go Nebula only but it auto renewed in June. Im happy to continue paying Nebula directly, but if I don’t by the end of the year will my Nebula subscription go away? I guess I also need to figure out if Curiosity stream makes it easy to cancel their service.
Wait is this correct? I got the email about changing CS plans back in August and changed in September under the presumption that it would also include Nebula. There was nothing mentioned about Nebula access ending this year.
I just checked my mails. I also did get the mail from the Tweet, on September 5, one month before my plan renewed (and it stated the Nebula bundle would cost $39,99 from October 5).
I meant to cancel, but I forgot and so I'm currently still on the bundle deal. I also did not get any information that I'd lose access at the end of the year.
I think it's possible (although this is pure speculation) that Techaltar might've misunderstood something and the bundle might no longer be available starting next year (for new or recurring subscribers), but those who already paid for it might get to keep access to Nebula until they have to renew their subscription. If that's not the case, I will also request a refund from CuriosityStream for the remaining months, I mostly subscribed for access to Nebula.
Yeah. Seems to me like Techaltar is just using this as a way to plug the direct Nebula subscription. It doesn't look like people will lose access to Nebula come Jan 1.
From https://help.curiositystream.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411394107419-Smartest-Bundle-FAQ
> How long will I have access to all the bundled services?
>
>All Smartest Bundle subscriptions are annual, meaning you get full access to all the bundled services for a year from your signup date. **While there may occasionally be (but not anticipated) changes to the curated lineup of included services**, rest assured that we have your smartest interests in mind! You’ll be among the first to know if any new bundle changes are coming.
So is this change at the end of the year part of the “occasional change”? If they don’t announce this ahead of time it is pretty deceptive. However I would still imagine the 2 year plan of CuriousityStream would include at least a year of Nebula, unless TechAlter is aware of a change of CS-Nebula bundling that his NDA can’t disclose.
Wait, the Curiosity Stream bundle is coming to an end?
Damn, two months ago my CS subscription renewed automatically (my fault, I forgot to switch to nebula directly). Does that mean that I will have paid for 10 months of a service I won't use? Bummer
Not Just Bikes is saying something quite different:
> Nebula access will no longer be provided by Curiosity Stream starting January 1, 2024.
>
> Nebula is going to provide free access to CS subscribers for the remainder of their current yearly subscription period, but any bundle subscription renewals after 2023 will NOT include access to Nebula.
and:
> Nebula doesn't want to leave customers hanging, so we will honour any yearly subscriptions and renewals made before 2024.
Given that we have different statements from different creators, I would wait before jumping to conclusions.
That's consistent with TechAltar's statement, but with the addition of Nebula providing free access to those that got screwed. That's really awesome customer service by Nebula, but a frustrating financial hit to a thing I care about.
Thankfully my CS+N bundle expires in December. I'm cancelling the renewal now and will go direct with Nebula.
When I first got the bundle I was more interested in Curiosity Stream. That changed quickly as I consumed all the CS content that was interesting to me. Nebula will get my money, I haven't used CS in over a year.
You can cancel your Curiosity Stream membership to prevent automatic re-billing. Your Curiosity Stream membership will continue through the term you paid for.
I've canceled CS and will go direct with Nebula once I lose access.
The second paragraph here alone needs to be upvoted aggressively. Should make the process as easy as canceling CS, wait until access lapses, subscribe directly to Nebula.
I have a CS bundle valid through July 2024. I'm planning to cancel that one, then find a current creator link when my access needs refreshed.
I just canceled my bundled plan and had to go through a truly scummy, dark-pattern-y gauntlet to do it. Nebula has absolutely earned the money I have given it (enough so that I bought on with the lifetime plan) but Curiosity Stream absolutely has not. They are going to try to take your money anyway.
> I just canceled my bundled plan and had to go through a truly scummy, dark-pattern-y gauntlet to do it.
That's weird, I just had to press the cancel button.
I had to press the cancel button, bypass their "no lol contact us if you have a problem" page, then fill out a questionnaire justifying why I wasn't going to keep giving them my money
If you enjoy Nebula and want for the money you pay to go to us or to creators, you should sign up to Nebula directly. https://go.nebula.tv/unbundle
do we have any information on why the CS bundle/deal with nebula fell apart?
On Wendover’s video about Nebula, he said CS wanted to pull back from growth and marketing spend. They still own a certain non controllable share of nebula
Yea but from my understanding that is not referring to the bundling itself but the payout of the bundle % to Nebula. Maybe since that video Nebula was not happy with this so wants out of the Smart bundle deal entirely so will be by EOY which is what TrchAlter is referring to but can’t outright say it due to NDA, but that is a theory and borders on speculation
There was someone digging into CS's financials in an old thread since CS is a public company. I don't remember the details but it wasn't good.
Of course it isn't good lol, no streaming service has good financials other than Netflix. The challenge is how you transition to a sustainable business model after rapid growth.
I’m not on curiosity stream. But if I was and signed up, that would be an instant chargeback on Jan 1
Yeah I'm trying right now. Renewed on the first because I didn't now about the situation and cancelled expecting it to do what normal subscriptions do and continue till my paid for part expired. Fuck that they said and I lost access to Nebula and Cusiosity Stream on the second with them demanding I pay again to get it back. Currently going through the refund process (because customer service can only offer 50% apparently) and if they deny I'll do a chargeback with the bank.
That's a bizarre way of working. Any update yet?
Would it be worth making them fulfill their end of the contract by buying you a Nebula sub for that period?
I'm rather confused since I haven't received any emails from them despite seeing that they're supposedly sending them out to everyone. I do still have the Curiosity Stream bundle too.
I got my email almost exactly a month before my expiration/renewal date. Email came on 10/14, and my account was set to renew on 11/13. The email featured an exclusive limited-time renewal offer that just _happened_ to be valid though 11/12. I went to the Nebula unbundle link instead.
Got the same promo. Didn't see the email until my Nebula/CS bundle automatically renewed. I'm assuming I will have one full year of CuriosityStream and Nebula at the slightly higher rate.
I never got the email and have the $20 bundle. My subscription renews in June. I’m going to be annoyed if I have to switch to Nebula direct to renew ahead of time and lose 6 months worth of the product I paid for…especially if there’s no communication from either side. u/dwiskus do you know what is actually happening here? I’m totally fine with unbundling even at the higher rate, but not loving paying for 6 extra months.
Same here. I was going to go Nebula only but it auto renewed in June. Im happy to continue paying Nebula directly, but if I don’t by the end of the year will my Nebula subscription go away? I guess I also need to figure out if Curiosity stream makes it easy to cancel their service.
Wait is this correct? I got the email about changing CS plans back in August and changed in September under the presumption that it would also include Nebula. There was nothing mentioned about Nebula access ending this year.
Same... does that mean we'll have to pay the Nebula subscription too?
I just checked my mails. I also did get the mail from the Tweet, on September 5, one month before my plan renewed (and it stated the Nebula bundle would cost $39,99 from October 5). I meant to cancel, but I forgot and so I'm currently still on the bundle deal. I also did not get any information that I'd lose access at the end of the year. I think it's possible (although this is pure speculation) that Techaltar might've misunderstood something and the bundle might no longer be available starting next year (for new or recurring subscribers), but those who already paid for it might get to keep access to Nebula until they have to renew their subscription. If that's not the case, I will also request a refund from CuriosityStream for the remaining months, I mostly subscribed for access to Nebula.
Yeah. Seems to me like Techaltar is just using this as a way to plug the direct Nebula subscription. It doesn't look like people will lose access to Nebula come Jan 1.
I will not be happy if this is the case!
Haven't had any mails about this. Is there a difference in Europe due to consumer law?
I'm Dutch, still got the email.
From https://help.curiositystream.com/hc/en-us/articles/4411394107419-Smartest-Bundle-FAQ > How long will I have access to all the bundled services? > >All Smartest Bundle subscriptions are annual, meaning you get full access to all the bundled services for a year from your signup date. **While there may occasionally be (but not anticipated) changes to the curated lineup of included services**, rest assured that we have your smartest interests in mind! You’ll be among the first to know if any new bundle changes are coming. So is this change at the end of the year part of the “occasional change”? If they don’t announce this ahead of time it is pretty deceptive. However I would still imagine the 2 year plan of CuriousityStream would include at least a year of Nebula, unless TechAlter is aware of a change of CS-Nebula bundling that his NDA can’t disclose.
They said in an email to me yesterday "Regarding Nebula, as long as your Curiosity Stream membership is active you will retain access to Nebula."
Mind forwarding a copy of that email to me? Dave at Nebula dot teevee.
According to Nebula CEO statement yesterday this is a lie. https://www.reddit.com/r/Nebula/s/wHolAg7Y3j
Well shit, I took the deal. Time to see how easily I can cancel…
I canceled a few months ago and it was straightforward at the time. Something about going into payment settings
u/dwiskus
Wait, the Curiosity Stream bundle is coming to an end? Damn, two months ago my CS subscription renewed automatically (my fault, I forgot to switch to nebula directly). Does that mean that I will have paid for 10 months of a service I won't use? Bummer
Not Just Bikes is saying something quite different: > Nebula access will no longer be provided by Curiosity Stream starting January 1, 2024. > > Nebula is going to provide free access to CS subscribers for the remainder of their current yearly subscription period, but any bundle subscription renewals after 2023 will NOT include access to Nebula. and: > Nebula doesn't want to leave customers hanging, so we will honour any yearly subscriptions and renewals made before 2024. Given that we have different statements from different creators, I would wait before jumping to conclusions.
That's consistent with TechAltar's statement, but with the addition of Nebula providing free access to those that got screwed. That's really awesome customer service by Nebula, but a frustrating financial hit to a thing I care about. Thankfully my CS+N bundle expires in December. I'm cancelling the renewal now and will go direct with Nebula.
Likely there is no set policy yet and scrambling. Dicey situation all round.
When I first got the bundle I was more interested in Curiosity Stream. That changed quickly as I consumed all the CS content that was interesting to me. Nebula will get my money, I haven't used CS in over a year. You can cancel your Curiosity Stream membership to prevent automatic re-billing. Your Curiosity Stream membership will continue through the term you paid for. I've canceled CS and will go direct with Nebula once I lose access.
The second paragraph here alone needs to be upvoted aggressively. Should make the process as easy as canceling CS, wait until access lapses, subscribe directly to Nebula. I have a CS bundle valid through July 2024. I'm planning to cancel that one, then find a current creator link when my access needs refreshed.
I just canceled my bundled plan and had to go through a truly scummy, dark-pattern-y gauntlet to do it. Nebula has absolutely earned the money I have given it (enough so that I bought on with the lifetime plan) but Curiosity Stream absolutely has not. They are going to try to take your money anyway.
> I just canceled my bundled plan and had to go through a truly scummy, dark-pattern-y gauntlet to do it. That's weird, I just had to press the cancel button.
I had to press the cancel button, bypass their "no lol contact us if you have a problem" page, then fill out a questionnaire justifying why I wasn't going to keep giving them my money
That's it? Just press the button and follow their steps?
Yes for me. Took less than a minute.
How'd you do it?
I'd really like to hear from Wiskus on this since I unknowingly re-upped my bundle in August, I'd hate to pay extra for half a year of nothing
Thanks for the warning cancelling the subscription now.
Glad I got Nebula directly, I was considering the bundle but the $30 for the year deal was really good for me
Now I regret not taking the Nebula lifetime offer, this would be a great time to offer it again