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Time Warner Cable to introduce set-top boxes
18/07/2002

Time Warner Cable, the US's second-largest cable television (CATV) operator, is understood to introducing digital set-top boxes with digital video recorders in some markets allowing subscribers to pause and record live TV programmes, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

The new cable specific set-top boxes, understood to be similar in functionality to that of TiVO and ReplayTV, will be made available to customers towards the end of the summer in a move to compete with services offered by satellite TV operators, reports the newspaper.

The reports come at the same time concern has been raised by some executives of the Time Warner media empire regarding the effect that introducing personal video recorders will have on the revenue gleaned through broadcast advertising.

The Wall Street Journal reports that only last week Jamie Kellner, chairman of AOL Time Warner owned Turner Broadcasting System, reportedly said that television viewers could face paying for TV channels they receive at no cost if PVRs kill-off revenue generated through TV commercials.

However, in a move to counter fears expressed by the executives, Time Warner Cable has said that the service will be offered on Scientific Atlanta set-top boxes which do not include the controversial ad zapping feature common to ReplayTV and TiVO, but does allow viewers to fast-forward live TV programmes.

"It is not clear yet whether set-top PVR will be a winner or not, but we will have it for the customers who want it. Competitive pressure from satellite operators requires us to do so," said Glenn Britt, Time Warner Cable chairman, reported the WSJ.

Van Dusseldorp's TV Meets the Web business unit provides European companies and those interested in the European market with information and research on the latest Internet, broadcasting and media convergence developments. For more information, please visit TVMeetstheWeb.com

http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=11578

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