Netflix conquers cable through TiVo

There were expectations earlier this week that Netflix would be bringing its services to cable. This morning the company reached another milestone by offering Netflix’s streaming video service through TiVo cable set-top boxes from Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications and RCN. Of course, customers will have to pay for both Netflix and TiVo DVR service, but the integration is expected to be as seamless as switching TV channels (and far from the early days of having to insert a Netflix disc into a Blu-ray player). The announcement also marks the first time Netflix has been integrated into cable set-top boxes in the US. Atlantic, Grande, and RCN customers are expected to start seeing Netflix access through their TiVo DVRs as early as this coming Monday. Is the future of Netflix a premium network like HBO? Or will content delivery always be at the core of their business? One might chew on the possibility of Netflix handing over the bandwidth demands to MSOs such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, and focusing strictly on programming.