Time Warner Unveils Groundbreaking On-Line Service

Strategic Insights -

Time Warner Inc.'s two major divisions, Time Warner Cable and Time Inc., are pioneering a revolutionary approach to delivering advanced on-line and Internet services for personal computers. By combining Time Warner Cable's high-speed data delivery capabilities with Time Inc.'s vast creative resources in news and information, the new service promises to provide customers with unparalleled access to a wide range of data, news, and entertainment content. This cutting-edge platform will not only offer new services created by Time Inc. and local partners but also enable seamless access to existing services like Pathfinder, the Worldwide Web, and other on-line services through a user-friendly graphic interface.

Key Takeaways:

  • Time Warner Inc.'s divisions, Time Warner Cable and Time Inc., are developing an on-line service that combines high-speed data delivery with creative resources in news and information.
  • The new service will offer customers access to specially created services by Time Inc. and local partners, as well as existing services like Pathfinder and the Worldwide Web.
  • Time Warner Cable's advanced fiber-optic and coaxial networks will enable high-speed delivery of data to personal computers, outpacing current telephone line speeds.
  • The service will be delivered through a cable modem, which will provide users with real-time access to a wide range of information sources.
  • Time Warner Inc. is considering a single monthly charge that includes the necessary hardware and software for accessing the network, as well as unlimited use of certain Time Warner-owned services.
  • The company's chairman and CEO, Gerald M. Levin, emphasizes Time Warner's unique position in delivering on-line services, combining advanced cable networks with rich sources of information and entertainment.
  • The News Exchange, a news-on-demand service developed by Time Warner Cable and Time Inc., will be launched later this year on the company's Full Service Network in Orlando, Florida.
  • Pathfinder, a highly successful on-line site launched by Time Warner Inc.'s Time Inc. division earlier this year, provides text, photos, graphics, audio, and video from various Time Warner divisions.

Statistics:

  • The new on-line service will be delivered at speeds many times faster than current telephone line speeds.
  • The company is considering a single monthly charge for accessing the network and using certain Time Warner-owned services.
  • Time Warner Inc. has a significant presence in the media and entertainment industry, with interests in magazine and book publishing, recorded music and music publishing, filmed entertainment, broadcasting, theme parks, cable television, and cable television programming.
  • Pathfinder, launched by Time Warner Inc.'s Time Inc. division, is one of the most successful sites on the Internet, offering text, photos, graphics, audio, and video from various Time Warner divisions.

Sources:

  • Business Wire (May 18, 1995)
  • Time Warner Inc. (press release)
  • Time Warner Cable
  • Time Inc.
  • Time Warner Inc.