I saw this post at DSL reports, and happen to imagine that DirecTV will redesign the DVR interface when ATT takes over. I really liked Uverse's interface. With ATT's name coming up in this article, it is a plausible theory to say that we may see some Netflix integration into DirecTV's boxes. How cool would it be to have the ability to watch Orange is the new black in 4k thorough your Directv Box. Perhaps there is a box of all boxes to coming down the line integrating Directv, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, ect. DirecTV's version of a roku killer. This kind of integration is GOOD for Directv as it keeps people using your interface, and grabbing the content they want from all sources, giving the viewer options. Not integrating is not stopping people from subbing to these alternative services any how so why not integrate them and keep people in your interface, and potentially the ability to make all content easier to view without having to change the input button. Dominate input number 1!
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has long dreamed of getting Netflix on the set top boxes of major cable companies. Though smaller companies like RCN and Suddenlink have struck deals, larger companies in the States have spurned these advances for years, seeing Netflix as a competitor they're not eager to give additional attention to. Overseas cable companies like UK Provider Virgin Media and Swedish cable operator Com Hem have had no such reservations, and have been signing such deals for more than a year.
Sources tell GigaOM's Janko Roettgers that Netflix would really like 2015 to be the year that they finally get Netflix on the set tops of the big five providers (AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, Time Warner Cable and Charter). Roettgers claims that one of the companies that keep coming up is AT&T: quote:
I’ve been told by sources with knowledge of the company’s plans that it is getting closer to finalize and announce a deal with at least one of these major operators. One source told me that an announcement may come as early as early next year, but others have cautioned that an actual deal may not be announced until much later. One of the names that kept coming up in chatter about Netflix’s plans was AT&T, but other alliances are also possible.The problem? Given the company's positions on usage caps, net neutrality and most recently interconnection, Netflix is considered public enemy number one by AT&T, Verizon and Comcast policy folk and executives. While we've seen some promo offers including Netflix from these companies, it seems very unlikely that any larger-scale relationships will be taking form anytime soon. Historically, these companies have offered their users Netflix-esque "me too" services to try and keep those viewers in house (it never works).
Maybe these companies' executives can look past their disdain for Netflix if the money's right, but none of them want to drive more traffic to Netflix if they can help it.
