While investor calls generally bore us, Netflix dropped quite the bombshell this afternoon:
This quarter we will launch the first MVPD integrations in the U.S. As we did in Europe, we will start with U.S. MVPDs that use the TiVo set-top box and try to extend to non-TiVo devices after that. From an MVPD point-of-view, they would rather have consumers use Netflix through the MVPD box and remote control than have consumers become accustomed to watching video from a smart TV or Internet TV device remote control.
So many possible angles to explore here… RCN is arguably TiVo’s most aggressive US partner, one that previously expressed interest in offering Netflix, and Suddenlink recently polled subscribers regarding the possibility of a Netflix addition. Then we’ve got the whole peering dealio with cable/broadband providers like Comcast to ponder. And, of course, finally is the elephant-in-the-room premise that Netflix had been a cable competitor (although many of us here subscribe to both). Yowza!