Is Comcast Feeling the Pressure from Hulu?

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/time-warners-tv-everywhere-to-pipe-internet-tv-to-comcast-subcr/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/24/...-comcast-subcr/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Time Warner and Comcast have joined hands in order to regain control on some of the content that is slipping right out from under 'em. In the olden days, the only portal for catching content was the 'tube; today, a vast array of television shows are available gratis on the web, and that's downright frightening for pay-TV operators. Today, both firms are detailing TV Everywhere in the most general way possible, only telling us that paying Comcast subscribers will soon have access to "premium long-form content" via a web portal. TNT and TBS are the only networks specifically named thus far, but considering that both of those already offer their best programming online to everyone, we're not terribly impressed."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1246069169.usr10.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>I'm thinking cable networks are going to start getting desperate.&nbsp; Hulu, Netflix, and DTV offer a much cheaper alternative than even basic cable.&nbsp; Unfortunately, giving subscribers what they can already get for free elsewhere will probably do little to help solve this problem.</p>

[Felix Torres]

The Cablecos think they're in the broadcasting business with a sideline in broadband, when they're really in the bandwidth business.

They need to rethink their approach and use of their resources.

Setting up a portal business isn't just a sideline; its a core requirement if they're to survive what's coming...

They'd better get it right and *quick* before Hulu, Boxee, and Netflix divvy the market up...

Frankly, I'm surprised HBO and Showtime haven't set up their own pay-per portals. They're leaving oodles of cash on the table...

[doogald]

Frankly, I'm surprised HBO and Showtime haven't set up their own pay-per portals. They're leaving oodles of cash on the table...

It could be (but I do not know that it is, but could be) that they have agreements with the cable and satellite companies to not do that.

[Felix Torres]

It could be (but I do not know that it is, but could be) that they have agreements with the cable and satellite companies to not do that.
It could be.
But contracts expire and get renegotiated.