The Hollywood Reporter
DirecTV Group is in talks with the TBS and TNT cable networks to offer their shows online, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
If a deal is reached, DirecTV subscribers would be able to watch shows from those cable networks on the Internet, the people said on condition of anonymity because the talks still are ongoing. DirecTV, the nation’s largest satellite TV operator, previously said it was considering such deals but did not specify the networks.
DirecTV joins a growing list of cable, satellite and phone companies that are offering consumers a “multiscreen” experience: the ability to watch shows on TV, computers and mobile devices like cell phones.
As online video grows in popularity, pay TV operators and cable networks are under pressure to offer a service that consumers want while still protecting lucrative subscription fees that operators are paying to the networks. The two sides are expected to share in any advertising revenue generated from online videos. More…