While it has negotiated deals to get its app integrated into the program guides of smaller cable operators like Atlantic Broadband, RCN and Suddenlink, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) has been largely shut out from the set-tops of the larger pay-TV operators.
According to GigaOm, the SVOD giant seeks to change that with a major push in 2015. In fact, speaking with undisclosed sources, the tech publication's Janko Roettgers says at least one major operator is getting close to signing a deal with Netflix. He speculates that the service provider is AT&T (NYSE: T).
The top five MVPDs control 73 million of the 90 million pay-TV subscriptions in the U.S. And Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has never been coy about his desire to tap into that powerful base.
But this LinkedIn job post seeking an "engineering manager – certification support for MVPD partners" (also surfaced by Roettgers) spells out Netflix's intentions quite explicitly:
"After having Netflix integrated on every relevant TV, Blu-ray player, streaming box, and streaming stick our new frontier is now cable boxes," the job post reads. "We want to reach our current and future members on devices they use most frequently to watch linear TV, cable, and satellite set top boxes."
For more:
- read this GigaOm story
- read this DSL Reports story
Related links:
Netflix added to TiVo set-tops at Atlantic Broadband, Grande, RCN
Netflix-TWC set-top box talks reportedly held up by Comcast takeover
Rogers: MSOs want to add Netflix to bundle