Netflix Embraces Cable
Dateline: 04/29/2014
Don't worry internet streaming fans, Netflix is not deserting you, but in an interesting move that could have long term consequences for the survival of the Cable TV industry, Netflix has inked agreements with some cable TV providers that use TIVO-based cable boxes to incorporate Netflix as a channel offering to their subscribers.
So far, we are only talking three smaller-market cable systems (Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications, and RCN), but you can bet that larger cable providers, such as Cox Communications and Comcast are watching this closely.
If Cable TV providers are able to offer Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, or other content providers normally associated with internet streaming, as part of the cable TV channel offerings, it may a good strategy to combat the increasing phenomenon of cable cord-cutting, as well as offering Netflix-type services to those that may not have access to the streaming version - provided the price is right.
For more details, read the informative post from Consumer Reports.
UPDATE 5/9/14: Netflix has officially announced that new subscribers will pay a higher monthly subscription fee - but although monthly fees for current subscribers will remain the same, after two years their monthly rate will increase also. Read the report from CNET.
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Don't worry internet streaming fans, Netflix is not deserting you, but in an interesting move that could have long term consequences for the survival of the Cable TV industry, Netflix has inked agreements with some cable TV providers that use TIVO-based cable boxes to incorporate Netflix as a channel offering to their subscribers.
So far, we are only talking three smaller-market cable systems (Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications, and RCN), but you can bet that larger cable providers, such as Cox Communications and Comcast are watching this closely.
If Cable TV providers are able to offer Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, or other content providers normally associated with internet streaming, as part of the cable TV channel offerings, it may a good strategy to combat the increasing phenomenon of cable cord-cutting, as well as offering Netflix-type services to those that may not have access to the streaming version - provided the price is right.
For more details, read the informative post from Consumer Reports.
UPDATE 5/9/14: Netflix has officially announced that new subscribers will pay a higher monthly subscription fee - but although monthly fees for current subscribers will remain the same, after two years their monthly rate will increase also. Read the report from CNET.
Follow Me On Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus