Time Warner Cable to trial TV packages for Internet-only subscribers
Time Warner Cable is preparing to trial a service that will eventually allow access to its TV packages while only having Internet with the company, the company revealed on Tuesday.
The company is now taking sign-ups for the trial, based on its Roku app. The company's group VP for Programming and Content, Alix Cottrell, said that the test is being limited to New York City at first to make sure the service is "really easy and straightforward" before it expands elsewhere, according to Engadget.
People accepted into the trial will receive a Roku 3 set-top, and be able to pick live channels in the same way as regular TWC TV customers -- up to a maximum of 300 -- or opt for select "skinny" bundles. Some programs should have video-on-demand access through StartOver, but initially there won't be DVR functions, movie rentals, or pay-per-view options.
Despite the ties with Roku, trial participants should be able to use their logins with other TWC TV app platforms, including iOS. Cottrell noted that the company is working on apps for still more platforms, which could potentially translate into an app for the fourth-generation Apple TV.
Prices will be announced when the trial launches, the current target date being Nov. 9.
TWC was at one point rumored to be working on enabling previous generations of the Apple TV to replace a cable box, but the technology never manifested, possibly because of Comcast's failed takeover attempt. Comcast itself was once linked to rumors of an Apple set-top, though the arrangement would've likely violated net neutrality rules.
The company is now taking sign-ups for the trial, based on its Roku app. The company's group VP for Programming and Content, Alix Cottrell, said that the test is being limited to New York City at first to make sure the service is "really easy and straightforward" before it expands elsewhere, according to Engadget.
People accepted into the trial will receive a Roku 3 set-top, and be able to pick live channels in the same way as regular TWC TV customers -- up to a maximum of 300 -- or opt for select "skinny" bundles. Some programs should have video-on-demand access through StartOver, but initially there won't be DVR functions, movie rentals, or pay-per-view options.
Despite the ties with Roku, trial participants should be able to use their logins with other TWC TV app platforms, including iOS. Cottrell noted that the company is working on apps for still more platforms, which could potentially translate into an app for the fourth-generation Apple TV.
Prices will be announced when the trial launches, the current target date being Nov. 9.
TWC was at one point rumored to be working on enabling previous generations of the Apple TV to replace a cable box, but the technology never manifested, possibly because of Comcast's failed takeover attempt. Comcast itself was once linked to rumors of an Apple set-top, though the arrangement would've likely violated net neutrality rules.
Comments
And so it begins.
Just wait till AppleTV4 has a user base of 20-30 million.
All the people who hate on AppleTV4 for little nitpicks have no VISION at all.
OR, these people care how a product works today, not just what their hope is for the future.
And so it begins.
Just wait till AppleTV4 has a user base of 20-30 million.
All the people who hate on AppleTV4 for little nitpicks have no VISION at all.
Agreed. Something had to give. TWC and the cable companies have to explore options. I just took my cable box back last week, and cut the cord. Cable companies are seeing their service/product becoming wholly irrelevant. Now that there is a real option for content owners to take their property elsewhere, things may change.
And so it begins.
Just wait till AppleTV4 has a user base of 20-30 million.
All the people who hate on AppleTV4 for little nitpicks have no VISION at all.
Nothing began here at all. This is just cable service through a Roku, nothing more. No VOD, no DVR, or even Pay Per View.
Then I don't have time for them.
People who can't see beyond 2 feet in front of their nose don't interest me at all.
My point is people who bitch about small crap like lack of audio out or lack of 4k are dummies and have no idea how market disruption works.
True, most people don't even realize the iPod didn't even play music when it was released!
If the content will reflect what is typically available only to cable or satellite subscribers then it will be a price worthy of cable companies price-gouging reputation. You'll be paying for channels such as ESPN even though you don't want them. Content providers with enough clout have spelled out an all-subscribers or no deal in their contracts.
True, most people don't even realize the iPod didn't even play music when it was released!
??? Please explain. What did it do then?
??? Please explain. What did it do then?
It disrupted the market!
Time Warner Cable is preparing to trial a service....
Trial a service? Really? There are many ways this could have been written that use actual English.
It's finally happening...
OR, these people care how a product works today, not just what their hope is for the future.
No. Nitpickers are nitpickers. It doesn’t matter how good a product is or isn’t. This ilk will find something complain about without fail. Jesus Christ could come down from heaven and they would complain he didn’t do it right.
Then I don't have time for them.
People who can't see beyond 2 feet in front of their nose don't interest me at all.
My point is people who bitch about small crap like lack of audio out or lack of 4k are dummies and have no idea how market disruption works.
Agree. Right now Big Cable is scrambling trying to find an answer. It is good to see they are at least worried. The other markets Apple buried didn't take them seriously. And then they failed. The question I have will the cable companies respond in time and with enough power to compete with Apple??? Only time will tell but I have a pretty good idea.
And so it begins.
Just wait till AppleTV4 has a user base of 20-30 million.
All the people who hate on AppleTV4 for little nitpicks have no VISION at all.
I agree and I personally believe this was the deal that was in the works with Apple and TW before Comcast stuck their nose in the deal. I think Apple was working a deal with TW to allow them to stream their content rights to anyone who had a internet connection. Comcast jumped in the middle of this to put a stop to the TW/Apple discussion. I do not have any direct knowledge of this, I work in this industry and it a small world but there was enought background noise and information going on to know a deal of some sorts was in the works and it all went quite once Comcast step in. Comcast would never work with Apple think of them like VZ, they think they know better than anyone else.
Comcast could not aford this to happen so they agree to over pay for TW and then dealt with the regulators for over a yr only to walk away. At that point Apple moved on its way and left TW with nothing. The Roku solution is not going to be as Apple we know this. Apple has a better UI. Plus it sounds like the soluton will be TW current customer only, verse the apple deal which would have been anyone.
cable companies should cooperate with Apple not compete.
Look at Nike, Disney, ect. The companies that cooperate with Apple thrive.
I agree with your point. I just don't see cable companies doing this. Just like Automobile companies. Industries that do not innovate and sit back collecting big dollars at our expense and frustration just set themselves up to be disrupted. They will get what they deserve.
You're preaching it wrong
And so it begins.
Finally!
I think that statement is ironic. As the iPod had its key feature available from day one, this might not be true for the ATV yet. At least, that's how it looks like from outside here
But, on one side they will offer streaming and other side will charge more for the internet package like today's news - Comcast to offer unlimited data for an extra $35 a month
I really don't see the point of cable companies offering live streaming on devices such as Roku and Apple TV. The majority of people in the U.S. have data caps. What is really the advantage of having a streaming service on Apple TV versus just having a cable box/satellite receiver?
I bet TWC's streaming service won't buffer, stall or pixelate like other streaming services viewed using TWC broadband.
It's very depressing to see this ridiculous trend take hold! I've even heard a VP of a major corporation come up with "solutioning" while addressing the team. For a person in that position, you might overlook it, but when this sort of rubbish is being put forth by professional writers, it doesn't bode well for the English language.