Logo

Online Access to Cable Programming Is Next Test for Multichannel Providers

Mar 15, 2009  •  Post A Comment

The ability of multichannel providers to launch companion online services for viewing cable programming will divide them into the haves and the have-nots over the next decade, according to a report from the Diffusion Group scheduled to be released today.
The research firm concluded that cable operators that don’t introduce online portals for their on-air programming will be relegated to dumb-pipe status by 2020, meaning they’ll lose those customers who subscribe to their TV programming and eventually become merely providers of Internet connectivity.
“If you have an integrated service now, you are better positioned to be a full-fledged video provider in 2020,” said Andy Tarczon, general manager of the Diffusion Group. “Most are still asleep behind the wheel: They have no idea as to the threat posed by open Internet-delivered TV services.”
This is sobering news for operators that haven’t jumped yet to develop online access to their programming, but it’s good news for cablers Comcast and Time Warner, which both have been bullish recently about their plans to offer online programming access starting later this year. Comcast likely will begin rolling out its “On-Demand Online” this summer, while Time Warner is inking deals with programmers and testing a service that would mirror its on-air lineup on the Web.
These “Web replicas” are increasingly essential for multichannel providers, according to the report. Easy online access to cable shows on the Web can reduce the possibility of consumer defections to broadband-only programming and the promise of Hulu, YouTube, iTunes and Amazon as potential replacements for cable TV.
Operators need to move fast: Time Warner Cable and Comcast shed more than 350,000 customers between them in the fourth quarter.
How consumers access such services is another question. Time Warner is experimenting with offering cable programming on owned portals and possibly on third-party sites as well, while Comcast is likely to begin with its own sites such as Fancast.net and Comcast.net. Cox also is evaluating how to offer online access to its programming.
“Starting next year, the MSOs will supplement their linear programming with walled-garden online access,” Mr. Tarczon said. “They’re fighting against being the dumb pipe.”
While cable operators aren’t expecting to charge consumers extra for online access to cable programs, TV viewers likely will foot the bill through higher Internet bills. Streaming video requires more bandwidth than most online services, so heavy users may need to pay more for some sort of tiered Internet connection—likely also provided by their cable operator.
The Diffusion Group’s report also found that in three years, Internet connectivity will be commonplace in new TVs, with most set-top boxes capable of delivering traditional cable and TV programming as well as Internet video.

33 Comments

  1. Great post!

  2. Wonderful to read!

  3. Thanks for your visiting this http://www.watchau.com online store.

  4. Thanks for your visiting this http://www.hello-free.com/freebies online store.

  5. Wonderful to read!

  6. Thank you for a great post

  7. Good post, thanks

  8. Thank you for the great content. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.

  9. Appreciation for the great blog post. I am glad I have taken the time to learn this.

  10. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  11. Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It’s people like you that make my day 🙂

  12. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.

  13. Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned 🙂

  14. Compare Mont blanc pens price and read Mont blanc pens reviews before you buy. Find the best deal on Getprice.com.au.

  15. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  16. Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon

  17. You make blogging look like a walk in the park! I’ve been trying to blog daily but I just cant find writing material.. you’re an inspiration to me and i’m sure many others!

  18. Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned 🙂

  19. I like your blog.

  20. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  21. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. 🙂

  22. Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon

  23. you have a good sense of humour.

  24. This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work 🙂

  25. This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.

  26. Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?

  27. I am aware th is is nota well-known opinion, but I definitely enjoy it. Why not attempt a little something unique? Why not try and use th is object and animation to represent the interconnectedness on the group? Th is Burnley object as logo is various from your dull shit and aesthetic nightmares we??? ve been seeing lately. In my opinion, th is is really a win.

  28. Kudos to you! This is a really good blog here and I love your style of writing. How did you get so good at blogging?

  29. Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out

  30. Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.

  31. It could possibly sound weird but my browser does notseem to be in a position to d isplay your report rightly?- It looks like a complete chunk of if shouldn’t be effectively d isplayed as well as layout of your web page does notappear to be correct. Can you confirm that th is submit continues to be setup for Opera?

  32. Thank you a lot, great submit! Th is was the matter I needed to know.

  33. I’m still learning from you, but I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely love reading everything that is written on your site.Keep the tips coming. I loved it!

    https://maps.adac.de/pages/extlink.aspx?MyExtT_y_p_e=Maps_museum_Kontaktonline&MyExtU_R_L=https://youtube.com/watch?v=WDcg28G71B0

Leave a Reply to Lupe Fioranelli Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)