Netflix in talks over cable integration

Netflix in talks over cable integration
Netflix could soon be making its way to your cable box

Netflix is believed to be in talks with major cable companies with a view to integrating its Watch Instantly streaming service.

CEO Reed Hastings has admitted the company would be targeting the cable box as the next logical destination for the on-demand service.

Now Reuters reports that Hastings "has quietly met with some of the largest U.S. cable companies in recent weeks," over making Netflix part of their monthly subscription offerings.

Sources suggest that one cable company could begin trialing the service by the end of the year, putting Netflix in direct competition with HBO.

Keep your friends close...keep your enemies closer

According to the report, cable executives have become less fearful of Netflix and the threat of "cord-cutting" and could be ready to embrace the platform.

Last week Hastings said: "It's not in the short term, but it's in the natural direction for us in the long term.

"Many (cable providers) would like to have a competitor to HBO, and they would bid us off of HBO."

Reuters says that if Netflix began appearing on set-top cable boxes then it would likely appear as a separate item on the customer's bill.

However, before this could happen, Netflix would need to rework its licensing agreements with some content providers, which prohibit the Watch Instantly service appearing on cable boxes.

Via: Reuters

Chris Smith

A technology journalist, writer and videographer of many magazines and websites including T3, Gadget Magazine and TechRadar.com. He specializes in applications for smartphones, tablets and handheld devices, with bylines also at The Guardian, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and Wareable. Chris is also the podcast host for The Liverpool Way. As well as tech and football, Chris is a pop-punk fan and enjoys the art of wrasslin'.