Netflix Plans To Bring Its Service To Set-Top Boxes

While the move’s been rumored for a few years now, it’s now been confirmed Netflix will be bringing its app to various set-top boxes across the country. The streaming giant will be teaming  with Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications and RCN for the initial roll-out, and in order to gain access to the service via those devices, customers will have to sign-up for both Netflix and the companies various TiVo DVR service.

This announcement comes shortly after Netflix announced plans to launch its first Spanish-Language original series, and is yet another example of the company’s push to expand into a full-blown pay-TV network. “Atlantic Broadband, Grande Communications and RCN are making it even easier for their customers to watch Netflix on their TVs,” Netflix head of business development Bill Holmes said in a statement. “These three cable companies are leading innovators, offering more choices and a great experience to their customers. Not only are they the first U.S. cable providers to offer Netflix on their set-top boxes, they have also directly connected their networks to Netflix, enabling a better viewing experience with faster startup times and superior image quality.”

As cord-cutting becomes more of a trend for casual television viewers, could moves like this be what keep people on cable systems? That seems to be the hope. There’s currently no word on when (or if) the set-top roll-out will continue to larger entities such as AT&T , Time Warner or Cablevision , but if it does, it could put Netflix in an interesting position ahead of its main competitor, Amazon.

The teaming up with TiVo is also a plus. The DVR-provider is considered on the best in the business on the front of digital recording, so to have them team up with Netflix should lead to a very stable infrastructure for customers interested in utilizing the service. For the time being, it’s been one crazy week for Netflix, and this is one heck of a way to cap it off.