Cable pioneer and Liberty Media chairman John Malone has said today that the industry should join together to create a Netflix rival.
The companies could bundle the service with broadband, and lower programming costs, says Malone.
For example, Malone says Comcast's Xfinity video streaming product could one day be shared amongst the major cable companies and become a national brand. He also used HBO as an example, saying the network "has made us all rich."
Another possibility would be for Hulu to be "bought and syndicated" by cable companies. Hulu was up for sale this year before its owners decided to instead invest more and pull the auction.
Malone praised Netflix Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings, saying the service is now big enough to purchase exclusive national content at good prices. Cable has struggled to do the same. "The cable industry has been very slow (which has) created a window of opportunity to the over the top guys," he added.
For example, Malone says Comcast's Xfinity video streaming product could one day be shared amongst the major cable companies and become a national brand. He also used HBO as an example, saying the network "has made us all rich."
Another possibility would be for Hulu to be "bought and syndicated" by cable companies. Hulu was up for sale this year before its owners decided to instead invest more and pull the auction.
Malone praised Netflix Chief Executive Officer Reed Hastings, saying the service is now big enough to purchase exclusive national content at good prices. Cable has struggled to do the same. "The cable industry has been very slow (which has) created a window of opportunity to the over the top guys," he added.
