QUINCY, MA and PRINCETON, NJ – Cogeco Cable subsidiary Atlantic Broadband, as well as Grande Communications and RCN are the first U.S. cable providers to offer Netflix through the same set-top box used to watch live television.
The companies said Friday that the Netflix App will be fully integrated into their TiVo DVR service distributed by the three providers, meaning customers who subscribe to Netflix will be able to access the OTT service in addition to live TV, On Demand shows and other web content through one single device.
The partnership eliminates the complexity of multiple boxes, remote controls, input ports and cables plus delivers the Netflix experience to the coveted “biggest screen in the home”, reads the news release. Customers must subscribe separately to Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications or RCN TiVo DVR service and Netflix, and there are no additional charges to access Netflix beyond the monthly TiVo subscription fees. The Netflix offerings from Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications and RCN will be available to customers with TiVo service as early as Monday.
“Now, watching Netflix is as easy as changing the channel,” said David Isenberg, chief marketing and strategy officer of Atlantic Broadband, in the release. “The ever-expanding selection of titles on Netflix is a tremendous complement to Atlantic Broadband’s existing portfolio of Live TV, HD channels and On Demand programming. Integrating the world’s leading Internet TV network with the world’s best DVR platform underscores our commitment to delivering customers what they want – instantly.”
“The dynamics of this game-changing relationship are clear: more choices for the viewer via a simple, unified device,” added Jim Holanda, CEO at RCN and Grande Communications. “The ability to seamlessly deliver new volumes of entertainment through industry leaders Netflix and TiVo is yet another way we are providing the best in customer convenience and satisfaction.”
"Our view has long been that the marriage of linear television and streaming over-the-top (OTT) TV is the future of television, and Netflix has clearly emerged as a must-have OTT service," said TiVo president and CEO Tom Rogers. "Today's announcement underscores the transformative nature of the TiVo technology and its proven ability to enable OTT providers to be seamlessly integrated into a pay-TV platform.
This Netflix option is not planned for Cogeco's Canadian subscribers, said a spokesperson.
