Competition for Cable Customers Turns Nasty

The cable wars turn nasty as telcos fight for a beachhead

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Apr 28, 2008 9:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – The battle for a larger share of TV customers has taken a nasty turn as companies like Time Warner, DirecTV, and Verizon hone ad campaigns highlighting rivals' shortcomings, the Wall Street Journal reports. It's not the first time operators have taken shots at each other, but it signals a ramping-up of marketing wars as the industry gets more crowded.

Telcos AT&T and Verizon are spending big to horn in on cable, offering triple-play packages of phone, cable TV, and high-speed Internet. The competition is forcing cable to spend more to keep existing customers and acquire new ones, while telcos, with their nascent offerings, work to replace deteriorating landline business with high-profit, higher-tech products.

A technician for Comcast Corp. heads out on a job. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)

Buildings on Market Street are seen reflected in a Verizon sign in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)

Time Warner is ramping up its marketing. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

The DirecTV building is seen in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file)

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Competition for Cable Customers Turns Nasty

The cable wars turn nasty as telcos fight for a beachhead

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DirecTV • advertising • Verizon • marketing • Time Warner Cable • AT&T

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Six sponsors out of today's game, others reviewing plans

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Competition for Cable Customers Turns Nasty

The cable wars turn nasty as telcos fight for a beachhead

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

DirecTV • advertising • Verizon • marketing • Time Warner Cable • AT&T

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

iPhone Kills Carrier Profits

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint lose out by subsidizing Apple's cell phone

Verizon Deal With Cable TV Could Be Game-Changer

... if regulators approve pact with Time-Warner, Comcast

Sponsors Run From Penn State

Six sponsors out of today's game, others reviewing plans

How Wireless Companies Rip You Off

...and what the FCC can do about it

iPhone 4S Pre-Orders Sell Out in 12 Hours

AT&T reports 200K orders, calls sales strong

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?