Windstream is becoming the latest pay TV operator to shift away from a managed video network in favor of an app-based streaming television product.
Windstream is launching Kinetic TV, which will run atop MobiTV’s Connect platform. Kinetic TV will be priced at $75 per month for Windstream’s broadband customers. The app will be available for connected devices, smart TVs, PCs, tablets and smartphones. It will feature live TV, on-demand content, catch-up TV, DVR and recommendations.
Geoff Levy, senior vice president of marketing for Windstream, said Windstream will continue to provide its traditional video service to existing customers, but all new sales will be made in the streaming service.
“We are moving to the new platform as it offers a significantly improved interface, product features, on-the-go functionality, and accessibility,” Levy said.
This television service will launch in phases, starting in select Windstream North Georgia markets, followed by its Lincoln, Nebraska, markets. Kinetic TV is expected to be available across Windstream’s entire 18-state footprint this year.
Levy said Windstream began internal user testing for Kinetic TV in late 2018 and that it’s doing the phased rollout so it can ensure the platform performs as expected before availability is expanded. Windstream serves more than 4 million households.
RELATED: MobiTV has lured more than 50 pay TV operators onto its app-based TV platform
MobiTV said last year that more than 50 U.S. pay TV operators have begun using its app-based Connect platform for delivering service without the need for set-top boxes.
The company said All West Communications, Arvig, ATMC (Atlantic Telephone Membership Corporation), Dalton Utilities/OptiLink, Elevate Fiber, Fidelity Communications, Greenlight Community Broadband, MetroNet, Nex-Tech, Nortex Communications, RiverStreet Networks, and USA Communications are among the operators using the platform. In all, MobiTV said these customers represent a total subscriber base of approximately 1 million across the U.S.
Late last year, MobiTV announced that it had secured hosted streaming delivery rights from another 90 networks including Bloomberg Television, Discovery, MGM HD, Newsmax, Outside TV, Smithsonian Channel, Stingray Music, Univision, and others, bringing its total to more than 350 networks.