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Cable television broadcasting industry

AT&T and Cablevision Partner for Digital Video Solution

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a groundbreaking agreement, AT&T Network Systems and Cablevision Systems Corp. announced their collaboration to provide an end-to-end digital video solution for commercial deployment of enhanced pay-per-view (EPPV) and video-on-demand (VOD) services to Cablevision subscribers, starting in mid-1995. Cablevision, the fifth largest cable television service provider in the United States, has begun testing the digital server, cable network, and prototype digital boxes in Long Island, NY, aiming to reach a significant number of subscribers with EPPV and VOD services by the end of 1995. This innovative partnership will give Cablevision subscribers the ability to access their preferred entertainment and information features instantly, putting them at the forefront of technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • AT&T Network Systems will supply Cablevision Systems with digital video equipment and system software necessary to deliver the new services, including video server software developed by Interactive Digital Solutions and AT&T's joint venture with Silicon Graphics, Inc.
  • The Cablevision solution encompasses an AT&T Digital Video Home Terminal for connection to a standard television set in the subscriber home, and network elements include an MPEG-2 program encoder system, digital cable modulators, encryption and access control systems, and high-speed switching of video streams using the AT&T GlobeView-2000 Broadband System.
  • Cablevision expects to expand its video service offerings in the future to include additional interactive entertainment, information, advertising, and transaction services, with a potential reach of a significant number of subscribers by the end of 1995.
  • AT&T Network Systems will provide installation and engineering services at the headend for Cablevision's first 20,000 subscribers, highlighting the company's commitment to supporting Cablevision in its delivery of interactive video services.
  • Wilt Hildenbrand, vice president - technology, Cablevision Systems, emphasized the importance of having a company able to provide a complete end-to-end system, highlighting AT&T's ability to build and operate two-way, digital communications networks.

Statistics:

  • Cablevision serves 2.5 million subscribers and owns interests in companies that produce and distribute programming services, provide advertising sales service for the cable television industry, and operate an AM radio station in the Cleveland, Ohio market.
  • AT&T Network Systems is one of the world's largest manufacturers and providers of network telecommunications equipment, offering communications service providers virtually everything they need to build and operate their networks.
  • AT&T's digital network solution will enable Cablevision to encode video source material into MPEG-2 packets, store them for later playback, and deliver them to subscribers through the GlobeView-2000 Broadband System.
  • The AT&T Digital Video Home Terminal has a range of technical features, including a 750 MHz tuner, 16/64 QAM receiver, MPEG-2 systems layer, and Dolby AC-3 audio.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, "AT&T Network Systems and Cablevision Systems Corp. Announce Agreement to Provide End-to-End Digital Video Solution" (November 30, 1994)
  • Cablevision Systems Corp., press release (November 30, 1994)
  • AT&T Network Systems, press release (November 30, 1994)

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