14 DAY TRIAL // One by one, cable companies are waking up to the threat of online video, especially from the likes of Hulu, with its full-length content from TV, but also cable networks. Time-Warner has launched a pilot program dubbed TV Everywhere, and Comcast followed suit. Now telcos are joining the fray, with AT&T launching a new site called AT&T Entertainment offering content from ABC and NBC Universal, actually coming from Hulu, but also CBS Interactive and others.
"We know our customers want to be able to access their favorite content anytime, anywhere," Dan York, executive vice president of content and programming at AT&T, said. "AT&T Entertainment provides the one-stop destination to watch your favorite TV shows and movies on your PC, wherever you have a broadband connection. The site will grow and evolve to make more content available to consumers in new and better ways."
Most of the content available is coming straight from Hulu, which isn't that surprising, considering that the online video site is trying to partner with other parties to provide the backend and the content. One idea put forward is teaming up with cable companies to offer premium content to their subscribers and it is reportedly in talks with Time Warner. Now, it looks like it has already scored a deal, providing content to AT&T's new venture.
But the new site one-ups Hulu, at least in one respect, by also offering content from CBS, the only major broadcast TV network in the US not taking part in Hulu. The site has actually been live for several weeks, but AT&T just now made the announcement. At the moment, the site is free for everyone, even non-AT&T subscribers, but the company plans to roll out some features specifically catered to those using its services.