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Time Warner Cable to Hand Out Free Slingboxes to Their Best Broadband Customers

Phillip Dampier August 24, 2011 Consumer News, Online Video 3 Comments

Slingbox PRO-HD

In a shot across the bow to programmers demanding compensation for the cable company’s TV Everywhere project, Time Warner Cable has announced it will give away a free Slingbox PRO-HD device to every customer signing up for its top-tier 50/5Mbps Road Runner ‘Wideband’ broadband service.

The Slingbox, which allows customers to watch live streams of cable television programming and other video over a broadband connection, retails for $300 and that is what Time Warner will rebate to new “Wideband” customers who are willing to pay $99 a month for the fastest possible Internet service from the cable operator.

By handing out a free Slingbox, which customers can use to watch whatever channels they want, Time Warner is sending a message to intransigent programmers, particularly Viacom. which has been particularly hard-nosed in its negotiations for streaming rights of popular Viacom networks like Comedy Central and MTV.  Time Warner found its efforts to stream those networks on its free iPad app stymied when Viacom went to court to stop the streams pending compensation negotiations.

With the Slingbox, customers can bypass messy business debates and watch whatever channels they choose to subscribe to, although Time Warner Cable won’t officially declare that as their intention for the new promotion.

Instead, Jeffrey Hirsch, Time Warner’s executive vice-president and chief marketing officer, claims the Slingbox offer is an attempt to drive subscriptions for its DOCSIS 3-based Wideband service.

“Over time we’re really trying to emphasize Wideband as a mainstream product,” Hirsch told the New York Times.

Currently, only a small percentage of customers subscribe to the company’s 50/5Mbps service, most through Time Warner’s super-premium SignatureHome service, which includes the speedy tier as part of its triple-play bundle of phone, Internet, and cable service.  The company sells SignatureHome in most markets for around $200 a month.

The Slingbox promotion is planned for launch this September.  Customers are expected to pay upfront for the device and receive a $300 prepaid debit card as part of the rebate offer.  No word on whether the promotion will extend to new SignatureHome customers, or only to those choosing Wideband service a-la-carte.

Ironically, Slingbox use promotes a major increase in broadband traffic, thanks to high bandwidth HD streaming video.  Time Warner’s Slingbox promotion will drive increased traffic on their broadband networks once customers start watching shows outside of their home.

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Richard
Richard
12 years ago

I have Time warner as an ISP as I’ve stated in a few other posts. They’re a good ISP over all, but my area seems to be oversubscribed. I won’t upgrade to Wideband service, the upstream of 5 mbps isn’t worth it. If it was 100 mbps symmetric, then it would be worth $100. Although if Sonic.net can charge $70 for 1 gbps 100 mbps but only in limited markets, Paxio charges $250 for 1 gbps symmetric, why won’t Time Warner at least take into consideration moving all areas if at all possible to FTTH? That’s right they need to… Read more »

Ben
Ben
12 years ago

This has disaster written all over it. As a Signature Home customer myself, the current crop of hardware is crap as is the guide software. I’ve had nothing but issues since Sig Home was installed because of their garbage equipment. I’m likely going to have to use my own gear (they won’t let me get my own gateway or modem) and what do I get for the added expense out of my pocket? Any discount? Nope – I feel bad for the non-tech savvy customers that get this “top tier” service.

Richard
Richard
12 years ago

Hi, I remember when I’ve asked Time Warner about wideband and equipment, they’ve told me that in my case I can use a modem on its own though it is hard to get it. Ben, is what Time Warner has told you or is it area specific? Also, have you asked them about increasing the upload speed beyond 5 mbps? Or is 5 mbps upload enough for your money? In my case, I’d say no as I’ve stated above. I wonder if they’re ever going to move away from docsis 3 to fiber to the home like EPB, Lus Fiber,… Read more »

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