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Time Warner divisions seem conflicted over internet video

21 January 2008 23:30 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 14 comments

As Time Warner's Home Box Office (HBO) premium cable service begins trials of an online Video On Demand (VOD) offering targetted specifically at cable internet customers, another branch of the company, Time Warner Cable, is finalizing a plan to experiment with monthly download limits for broadband internet subscribers.

In other words, while the company's right hand is offering consumers extras available only through the internet connection they're already paying for, the left hand is threatening to charge them more if they use the service too regularly.

Meanwhile Time Warner Cable is trying to downplay the apparent schism between the two Warner Brothers divisions, telling The Hollywood Reporter "Time Warner Cable is confident our subscribers will enjoy content like HBO on Broadband no matter what the pricing is." No doubt there are more than a few customers who would disagree with that opinion, and probably more than a few Time Warner executives trying to figure out how to "clarify" the statement so it doesn't look quite as much like a major corporation calling their customers mindless sheep.

"I think the trouble with metered approaches in the Time Warner environment is that it evokes a dangerous variable that a consumer might find tricky," said Andy Nobbs, president of Teletrax, a firm that helps media companies track their content online.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Online video

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Blackjax (Member) 22 January 2008 3:28
Well they already lost me as a customer. What kind of makes me smile is that I switched just before this came out. I'm still waiting on my prorated refund for services, doubt I'll ever se that money! It's funny how a lot of these companies are now getting "caught" trying to put their hand in the perverbial cookie jar. Cookie jar being their consumers wallets! Just like taxes they want to get in oon the act of hitting you coming and going!!!! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22 January 2008 4:05
Iguana775 (Newbie) 22 January 2008 8:50
"Time Warner Cable is confident our subscribers will enjoy content like HBO on Broadband no matter what the pricing is." What a bunch of cocky SOBs. [ + quote]
7thsinger (AfterDawn Addict) 22 January 2008 9:26
*Originally posted by Iguana775:* "Time Warner Cable is confident our subscribers will enjoy content like HBO on Broadband no matter what the pricing is." What a bunch of cocky SOBs. No kidding. Translation:Time Warner Cable is confident that we can continue to fist, and gouge our customers, and they will deal with it, all while smiling. My life never began with "once upon a time" so why would i expect it to end with "happily ever after"? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22 January 2008 9:27
ikari (Newbie) 22 January 2008 11:02
Conflicted? I don't see the confliction. They offer a VOD that consumes your month dl limit and when you have gone over, they get paid even more. Well played greedy company, well played. [ + quote]
FlakMNKEY (Junior Member) 22 January 2008 11:05
This is sort of obvious - THEY WANT HIGHER PROFITS - You charge the customer for this video on demand and then penalize them for using the service that they pay for by introducing download caps. You download 2 movies and oh sorry the service you pay for doesn't cover your limit of downloads on the internet so that will be extra. Thank you and have a nice day!!! Oh and thanks for being a time warner customer. [ + quote]
banned2X (Inactive) 22 January 2008 17:08
First off.............this is the screwiest and most contradicting thing I've ever seen a company do. Once again, PROOF that us peons would be better off running those companies (so long as you're not solely influenced by money so that you screw everyone else). Second................this is not good. This is truly a sign of the way the world (especially the U.S.) is going in terms of control. In twenty years you won't be able to wipe your arse without someone granting permission or at least knowing of it. We can thank jackass devil presidents like George W. Bush for this direction. Our freedoms are slowly but surely disappearing. Very sad and very scary. That's why I'm not havin' kids. The world is hard enough as is. [ + quote]
P51ride (Newbie) 22 January 2008 17:59
banned2X, Don't blame just Bush. This started back in the early 1900's. All of the politicians have puckered up and kissed the RIAA, MPAA , and Hollywood's Six o clock. Just my $ .04 ( Inflation) [ + quote]
P51ride (Newbie) 22 January 2008 17:59
banned2X, Don't blame just Bush. This started back in the early 1900's. All of the politicians have puckered up and kissed the RIAA, MPAA , and Hollywood's Six o clock. Just my $ .04 ( Inflation) [ + quote]
banned2X (Inactive) 22 January 2008 18:04
*Originally posted by P51ride:* banned2X, Don't blame just Bush. This started back in the early 1900's. All of the politicians have puckered up and kissed the RIAA, MPAA , and Hollywood's Six o clock. Just my $ .04 ( Inflation) I don't truly blame Bush for all this. I only blame him for the instigation of the loss of our civil liberties and every other country hating us and the decline of the U.S. dollars (first time lower than Canada in 93 years) Oh..........GOD I only hope that you're not (still) a Bush fan. Anyone who truly believes he is a good president and has the country's best interests should have their voting privileges taken away..................and then bitch slapped................but I'm guessing that you're just being objective which would be ok. [ + quote]
windsong (Junior Member) 22 January 2008 18:25
*Quote:* "Time Warner Cable is confident our subscribers will enjoy content like HBO on Broadband no matter what the pricing is." Krazy Ken: "Our customers will work TWO jobs to buy our product! ..and LIKE it, all the while saying..Thank You Sir May I Please Have Another!! [ + quote]
bdoggie08 (Junior Member) 22 January 2008 18:47
good work Time Warner. Good Work. Can't wait till they go bankrupt. R-Tards... [ + quote]
o0cynix0o (Newbie) 22 January 2008 21:20
*Quote:* I don't truly blame Bush for all this. I only blame him for the instigation of the loss of our civil liberties and every other country hating us and the decline of the U.S. dollars (first time lower than Canada in 93 years) Oh..........GOD I only hope that you're not (still) a Bush fan. Anyone who truly believes he is a good president and has the country's best interests should have their voting privileges taken away..................and then bitch slapped................but I'm guessing that you're just being objective which would be ok. I suppose Clinton letting the people responsible for trying to blow the towers up the first time go has nothing to do with it. The fault lies with all the latest presidents and all the slimy glad hands in Washington DC, not just one person. And I think I might switch as well...I hear Dish DSS has an internet service. Any know if it's any good??? stupid are you this read you if [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22 January 2008 21:22
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 23 January 2008 14:48
ummm aren't these the guys who want to end unlimited internet? [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 18 February 2008 1:31
*Quote:* "I think the trouble with metered approaches in the Time Warner environment is that it evokes a dangerous variable that a consumer might find tricky," said Andy Nobbs, president of Teletrax, a firm that helps media companies track their content online. I would have to agree there people are not going to like limitations consumers already get a lot of that crap from their normal isp [ + quote]