Time Warner Cable to Subsidize Customer Slingbox Purchases

The New York Times is reporting that, beginning sometime in September, Time Warner Cable will begin subsidizing customer purchases of a Slingbox. They don’t name the model specifically in the article, but the image associated is of the Slingbox PRO-HD and they cite a $300 value, which is the MSRP of the PRO-HD. The subsidy will come in the form of a rebate for the full cost of the Slingbox for customers who subscribe to TWC’s $99.99 a month Wideband Internet service. It sounds like it is a marketing promotion to boost subscriptions to the high-end broadband service.

It is also a none too subtle shot across the bow of content providers. TWC is currently at loggerheads with Viacom and other providers over TWC’s iPad app which allows customers to stream content directly to the tablet. Viacom claims TWC’s existing content licenses do not cover this, TWC, of course, claims that they do. Offering the Slingbox seems like a clear statement of their being more than one one to skin a cat, as it were.

Via The New York Times.