Time Warner to test cable TV

Reacting to a weak economy that is forcing customers to cut back and rising programme costs, Time Warner Cable (TWC) next month plans to test market a new cable TV package that will cost less and offer fewer channels, states B&C.

TWC chief marketing officer Sam Howe, speaking at a panel hosted by SNL Kagan, said the TV Essentials package will be offered for $29.95 and $39.95, well below the $50 to $60 most expanded basic packages cost, according to Craig Moffett, analyst at Bernstein Research, who moderated the panel.

ESPN, the most expensive cable channel, will not be a part of the line-up, nor will The Disney Channel. But other channels from Walt Disney., Viacom, Time Warner, Discovery and News Corporation will have networks in the new package. Among the Disney channels represented is ESPNews.

Montreal-based Sensio Technologies has signed an agreement with cable and communications company Videotron to unveil a 3DTV content offering in Quebec, reports Mediacaster.

As part of its broadcasting activities, Videotron plans to unveil a 3D content offering this December, with 3D movies via video-on-demand, sporting events, and concerts. Videotron has become the first to be officially named as a carrier for upcoming CBC 3D coverage of NHL hockey.

"Our mission is to provide the best possible experience to all our customers," said Robert D'epatie, president and CEO of Videotron.

The Arkansas Supreme Court has created a new committee to study whether court proceedings should be broadcast after a panel earlier this year questioned whether a northwest Arkansas drug court programme should be aired on television, says KATV.

The high court said it will form the Ad Hoc Committee on Broadcasting of Court Proceedings to study the issue. Members of the committee include lawyers, a member of the media and two judges.

In September, the Arkansas Supreme Court Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee issued an opinion regarding the broadcasting of Washington-Madison County Drug Court.