Netflix Said to Be in Discussions for U.S. Cable Carriage
Netflix is in talks to add its application to the set-top boxes of U.S. cable-TV operators, letting customers search for web-based movies and television shows alongside traditional programs, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The largest subscription-streaming service has had discussions with providers including Comcast and Time Warner Cable, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are private. Negotiations are furthest along with regional providers and smaller cable operators that use TiVo set-top boxes, one person said. The earliest announcements are weeks to months away, that person said.
The talks suggest cable operators increasingly see Netflix’s $7.99 monthly service as a tool to attract and retain customers, rather than a threat that will lead to cord-cutting. Integration with cable service would let viewers find and watch shows without switching inputs, and may help cable operators promote their own on-demand offerings, the people said.
