Netflix is often looked at as one of cable’s biggest competitors, but Netflix is now changing its tune, reportedly looking to strike a deal with cable providers.
A report from The Wall Street Journal claims that the streaming service is in talks with Comcast and Suddenlink Communications about launching a Netflix app in set-top boxes, reports USA Today.
According to another report from Bloomberg, Netflix is also speaking with Time Warner Cable. However, Bloomberg’s source notes that Netflix is actually farther along in talks with smaller regional companies that rely on TiVo boxes. The site’s sources say that Netflix could make the decision in a few weeks or a month.
If these deals happen, it’s the first time Netflix would have a partnership with any cable company. It’s possible that these companies - especially the smaller, regional ones - see Netflix as a way to encourage more customers to sign on, even if Netflix will add another $7.99 to their cable bill. The idea being that people would like to have cable and Netflix available all in one device, rather than having to get another product (like a Roku box or Blu-ray player) for access to Netflix.
Netflix is also now producing its own content, including the acclaimed drama House of Cards and a new season of Arrested Development.
image: netflix.com