New cable channel

Rumor bees are buzzing about a possible Netflix deal with cable companies. If true, Netflix could end up on your set top TV box, sandwiched in between the likes of BRAVO and the History Channel. The service might be offered as an add-on to your cable bill, which would end up being like a super-sized version of TV on demand. Up until now, if you mention the name Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO, to a cable company exec, you might see them reach for their holster. Them’s fightin’ words. But, as Reuters reports: “Hastings has strongly hinted at investor conferences in recent weeks about the possibility of Netflix one day being a cable channel rival to premium networks like Time Warner Inc’s HBO.” You hear that HBO?!? You won’t bring your service to the Internet (without a cable subscription), so now the Internet is coming to your turf. HBO-WW-OOOH, come out to pla-eeeey.