Leading cable operators such as Virgin Media and Ziggo may find themselves having to negotiate with Netflix to obtain content they don’t have access to.
Speaking in a Verimatrix-sponsored breakfast briefing at the Connected TV World Summit, Ivar Slavenburg, manager, product management & marketing, Ziggo, said that the priority is that the customer signs up with its service and does not look for it elsewhere.
Any negotiation with Netflix, should they take place, would involve give and take. Ian Mecklenburgh, director, consumer platforms, Virgin Media, meanwhile said that the priority was about getting hold of content.
He cited the example of YouTube, which saw a 20% uptake on Virgin Media’s platform when included in the EPG.
Speaking about Netflix, Jason Wong, senior director, international products and services, TiVo, said that it can be complementary rather than competitive in OTT as part of a complete entertainment package.
The panel noted that there is currently a debate in the US about whether Netflix is a pay-TV operator or just another channel.
