Time Warner pushes for binge-watching rights to combat Netflix
By Gerry Smith, BlombergNews
Time Warner Inc.’s strategy against Netflix is taking shape.
Hoping to keep viewers who are dropping cable subscriptions for online streaming services, Time Warner is negotiating to make full seasons of more shows available to pay-TV customers on demand, according to Time Warner Chief Financial Officer Howard Averill.
Time Warner’s cable networks, which include TNT and TBS, have “made it clear” to Hollywood studios that they want so-called “stacking rights,” or the ability to air full seasons of shows they buy, Averill said.
Wrong strategy. Time Warner should allow use of account credentials to view cable channels anywhere the internet is available, not just from the home with the cable box.