Time Warner Cable is preparing to test an Internet-only television service starting from next week, according to a report. The cable provider is said to be working on a version of
TWC TV, its existing online streaming app for cable TV subscribers, that could be used by users of its Internet-only connections, potentially allowing customers to watch TV without being locked into a longer contract period nor having a standard cable set-top box at their home.
Sources
of Engadget claim the trial will be going live in New York City very soon. Though it will likely work on multiple platforms, including iOS devices and other streaming set-top boxes, it is believed the initial test will be based on the Roku 3, with participants getting the device for free.
The current TWC TV app for iOS
The service itself will allegedly cost its users an extra $10 per month on top of their existing Internet subscription for a "starter" package, believed to have around 20 channels. Getting the same starter package with Showtime and Starz is said to cost $20, while a standard package containing around 70 of the usual channels included in a normal cable TV package, as well as Showtime and Starz, will be priced at $50 per month.
The service certainly sounds as if it's an attempt to keep disenfranchised consumers from "cutting the cord" and moving onto other Internet TV services, such as those of
Sling TV,
PlayStation Vue, and
Apple's rumored service. While for the moment it sounds as if it could only be provided to existing TWC customers, the system could still be made available to other Internet users without TWC connections, possibly as a way for it to gain more TV customers in areas where its cable network currently does not operate.
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