Cable Providers Expand On-Demand Services

Strategic Insights -

Cable providers are increasingly adapting to viewer demands for time-shifting capabilities. Bright House Networks and Verizon FiOS TV have recently made significant additions to their on-demand services, expanding consumers' options for watching what they want when they want. This move further reflects the growing trend of viewers prioritizing flexibility in their viewing schedules. On-demand services now offer a wide range of programming options, including movies and recent episodes of popular network and cable shows.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bright House Networks launched "Primetime On Demand," an on-demand channel featuring recent episodes from popular network and cable shows, including Heroes, The Biggest Loser, and Nip/Tuck.
  • Verizon FiOS TV added eight Turner Network cable channels, including Adult Swim, CNN, Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, and TruTv, as well as a large movie library including titles like Anaconda, The Da Vinci Code, and The Firm.
  • Verizon FiOS TV's on-demand library includes approximately 14,000 titles per month.
  • Both cable providers have incorporated features that facilitate "time-shifting," allowing viewers to watch shows at their convenience.
  • Start Over, a feature from Bright House, allows viewers to watch a show from its beginning, even if it has started while they were tuning in mid-episode.
  • Cable providers continue to prioritize expanding their on-demand services to meet viewer demands for flexibility.

Statistics:

  • Verizon FiOS TV now offers on-demand programming from eight Turner Network cable channels.
  • Bright House Networks' Primetime On Demand features episodes from a range of popular shows, including CBS' CSI and Survivor, USA's Monk and Burn Notice, and NBC's Heroes.
  • Verizon FiOS TV has an on-demand library of approximately 14,000 titles per month.
  • Bright House Networks' Start Over feature allows viewers to start watching a show from its beginning at any time.
  • The norm for "time-shifting" viewers is increasingly steady, indicating growing expectations for flexible viewing options.

Sources:

  • "Bright House Launches Primetime On Demand." (Source: Bright House Networks)
  • "Verizon FiOS TV adds eight new channels, new on-demand options." (Source: Verizon FiOS TV)
  • "Cable Providers Push to Make Time-Shifting Easier." (Source: The New York Times)