Time Warner Cable 2010 Annual Report Download - page 15

purchase of packages of more than one such service. HD simulcasts (i.e., HD channels that are the same as their standard-
definition counterparts but for picture quality) are generally provided at no additional charge, and additional charges
generally apply only for HD channels that do not have standard-definition counterparts. The rates TWC can charge for its
BST service and certain video equipment, including set-top boxes, in areas not subject to “effective competition” are
subject to regulation under federal law. See “—Regulatory Matters” below.
On-Demand services. On-Demand services are generally available to digital video subscribers. Available On-
Demand services include a wide selection of featured movies and special events, including select movies and special
events in 3-D, for which separate per-use fees are charged, and free access to selected movies, programming from
broadcast and cable networks, music videos, local programming and other content. In addition, premium service (e.g.,
HBO) subscribers generally have access to the premium service’s On-Demand content without additional fees.
DVR service. Set-top boxes equipped with DVRs enable customers, among other things, to pause and/or rewind
“live” television programs and record programs on the hard drive built into the set-top box. Subscribers pay an additional
monthly fee for TWC’s DVR service. As of December 31, 2010, 51.7%, or approximately 4.6 million, of TWC’s
residential and commercial digital video subscribers also subscribed to its DVR service. During 2010, TWC launched
remote DVR management, which provides customers with the ability to program their DVRs via a website, and a multi-
room DVR service, which allows a program recorded on a DVR to be watched on any other connected television in a
customer’s home, in the majority of its service areas.
Enhanced TV services. TWC is expanding the use of Video-On-Demand (“VOD”) technology to introduce
additional enhancements to the video experience. Start Over@, TWC’s Emmy@-award winning technology, allows digital
video subscribers using a TWC-provided set-top box to restart select “in progress” programs directly from the relevant
channel, without the ability to fast-forward through commercials, and Look Back@extends the window for viewing a
program to 72 hours after it has aired. Start Over and Look Back are available in the majority of TWC’s service areas.
TV Everywhere capability. During 2010, TWC began offering ESPN and ESPN3 online to customers who
subscribe to a video tier that includes ESPN, and in January 2011, it added ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater for
customers who subscribe to a video tier that includes those networks. During 2010, TWC also launched Speed2, a new
broadband-only channel, for its Sports Pass video subscribers and offered live coverage to authenticated customers from
the 2010 Winter Olympics. TWC plans to offer additional content via its TV Everywhere capability during 2011.
High-speed Data Services
TWC’s high-speed data services provide customers with a fast, always-on connection to the Internet. Subscribers pay
a fixed monthly fee based on the level of service received. As of December 31, 2010, TWC served approximately
9.5 million residential high-speed data subscribers.
Road Runner@Broadband. TWC offers multiple tiers of Road Runner Broadband service to meet the different
needs of its subscribers. Utilizing DOCSIS 3.0 technology, TWC offers Wideband, Extreme and Turbo Plus to subscribers
in a number of its service areas. Wideband, TWC’s highest speed tier, offers subscribers speeds of up to 50 Mbps
downstream and up to 5 Mbps upstream. TWC also offers Turbo, Standard, Basic and Lite tiers in all of its service areas.
Turbo offers subscribers speeds of up to 15 Mbps downstream and up to 2 Mbps upstream. In the majority of its service
areas, TWC provides Turbo and Standard subscribers with PowerBoost at no additional charge, which allows users to
initiate brief download speed bursts when TWC’s network capacity permits.
TWC’s Road Runner Broadband service provides communication tools and personalized services, including e-mail,
PC security, parental controls and online radio, without any additional charge. The Roadrunner.com portal provides
access to content and media from local, national and international providers and topic-specific channels, including
entertainment, dating, games, news, sports, travel, music, movie listings, shopping, ticketing and coupon sites.
In addition to Road Runner Broadband, most of TWC’s cable systems provide their high-speed data subscribers with
the ability to subscribe to the services of certain other on-line providers, including Earthlink.
Mobile Internet. In the fourth quarter of 2009, TWC began offering a wireless mobile broadband Internet access
service in several cities and, as of December 31, 2010, the Company had 13,000 wireless mobile broadband subscribers.
This service provides customers with mobile broadband Internet access inside or outside their homes on their laptops via a
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