Intel Wants to Be Your Next Online TV Subscription Provider
Intel, is preparing to dive into web based cable TV, according to the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. Intel's online TV subscription service might just be ready by the end of 2012.
They plan to offer online access to U.S. TV cable channels, one move, that will surely spark a lot of follow up elsewhere around the world. Are TV stations becoming endangered now?
The report says that Intel wants to offer channel bundles modeled after cable and satellite providers' subscriptions. They are developing a set top box to carry its TV service to users. They have already been pitching the idea to media companies and has even asked for rate cards. However, Intel has not secured any programming deal as yet. But when they do, it looks like there will be heavy competition in the TV arena.
Intel’s launch may be delayed by the price of TV programming and a lack of bandwidth. Just in 2012, TV providers paid $40.7 billion in fees to cable channels, according to SNL Kagan.
There's a demand for online TV too. Companies like Google and Apple are already rushing to offer it via the Internet but still none are doing so just yet.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind watching TV on my laptop. Or on a computer. It just makes sense. What do you think?