Time Warner Digital Cable Television Hits Channel

Time Warner digital cable television is about to get even more exciting with Time Warner Hits, a channel devoted to providing on demand access to the 20 most popular cable television shows. On demand access allows cable television subscribers to watch, rewind, and fast forward television shows from a digital interface at any time after an episode is first aired, breaking busy customers free from network episode schedules. Time Warner Cable is currently in talks with the four major U.S. cable TV networks about releasing rights to create a “Hits” channel that would allow viewers to watch instant reruns of the most popular cable TV shows - whenever they like.

Time Warner Hits Channel and Digital Cable

Time Warner is in high level discussions with the producers of ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox to offer viewers on demand access to hit shows they may have missed on an episode’s first run. The Time Warner Hits channel will allow viewers to watch important episodes they may have missed after a particular show first aired. The twenty most top-rated shows will be available on the channel either immediately or the day after the show is aired.

With today’s demanding schedules, viewers are rarely able to watch their favorite cable TV shows when the episodes air. The Time Warner hits channel will allow these viewers to catch up on missed episodes whenever they are able to. The Time Warner hits channel is not meant to replace digital video recorders, or DVRs, but may become invaluable to viewers who are too busy or often forget to record their favorite shows. The Time Warner Hits channel will be a subscription based channel, although Time Warner refuses to comment on exactly how much it will cost per month. Online estimates from telecommunications journalists range from $10 - $20 a month.

Cable TV Services from Telecommunications Providers

There are other, similar cable television programs in the works focused on enhancing and supplementing customer demand for time-shifting tools in cable television. Comcast provides a similar service to its customers and has a deal with CBS that allows viewers next-day on demand access to certain CBS programs. This service, however, is much less comprehensive than Time Warner’s proposed hits channel.  

Time Warner’s new hits channel is also different from Time Warner Cable’s “Start Over” trial in Colombia, South Carolina. This service gives viewers the option of starting a live program over from the beginning if they miss a part of the show, assuming that the show is still in progress. Time Warner Hits and Time Warner Start Over services are a few of many television and cable-based services Time Warner is rolling out to add value to its cable television plans.