Cable Company Eyes 'Single Play'

Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Glenn Britt said his company has an opportunity to win more broadband-only customers as broadband replaces TV as the cable industry's anchor product. Britt said Time Warner Cable has been largely focused on selling its "triple-play" bundle, which includes broadband, TV and phone service. Now, he intends to shift focus to better exploit an opportunity to sell more "single-play" broadband to people who may get video service from a satellite operator or another alternative.

"Broadband is becoming more and more central to people's lives," Britt said. "It has become our primary product. People are telling us that if they were down to their last dollar, they'd drop broadband last." The cable industry continues to expand its broadband subscriber base and gain share in the Internet-access market, while it loses video subscribers to satellite and telecommunications rivals. Economic weakness is also leading lower-income consumers to drop pay-TV service as the price climbs, and the rise of web video has also led to concerns that consumers will drop traditional pay-TV subscriptions in favor of online alternatives.