America Online, Inc. and Time Warner Cable Have
Reached New Agreements to Cross-Promote AOL for Broadband and
Road Runner High-Speed Online Services.
America Online, Inc. and Time Warner Cable today
announced reaching agreements on a series of new relationships
that will have the two Time Warner divisions each promote the
other's services, and enable millions of Time Warner Cable and
Road Runner customers to sample AOL(R) for Broadband content.
AOL will promote the Road Runner High Speed Online service,
making it easy for AOL(R) members to purchase both Road Runner's
High-Speed Online service and AOL for Broadband's premium
features.
Under the new agreement, a sampling of original
and exclusive programming that was previously only available on
the AOL for Broadband premium broadband service will now be
integrated throughout the Road Runner High Speed Online service,
as well as in an aggregated "AOL Channel," which will be
available from the Road Runner homepage.
Road Runner subscribers will be able to sample
some of the best elements of AOL for Broadband content from
categories like entertainment, games, personal finance, sports,
and life management. The original programming will include:
Sessions@AOL; First Tip, a video spotlight of game tips for the
newest PC and console games; and Celebrity Connect, which
features interviews with today's hottest celebrities. Road
Runner customers will also be able to add AOL for Broadband to
their Road Runner high-speed connection.
Secondarily, America Online will promote Time
Warner Cable's Road Runner service through AOL's High Speed
Internet Options service, making it easy for consumers to sign
up for the AOL for Broadband service and place an order for Road
Runner Internet connectivity at the same time.
Additionally, Time Warner Digital Cable
subscribers can access a new, 24-hour on-demand music video
channel, featuring original AOL(R) Music programming. The
channel, called My MC will be available beginning in May, and
will feature the best of AOL for Broadband's music content,
including original, in-studio Sessions@AOL performances from
today's top artists; select performances from the Broadband
Rocks(TM) weekly concert series; and today's most popular music
videos from BMG, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group
and Warner Music Group.
Videos will be organized by genre and artist,
including a special artist retrospective series, all available
at no additional charge, on-demand and commercial free to Time
Warner Digital Cable subscribers who receive its "Favorites on
Demand" service. In addition to a broad selection of music
videos and performances, Time Warner Cable customers will be
able to learn more about AOL's premium broadband Internet
service and the premium music, news, sports, movies, and games
content available only to AOL for Broadband subscribers.
"We are excited to be working in partnership with
Time Warner Cable on these important new offerings," said Kevin
Conroy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
AOL for Broadband, America Online, Inc. "By providing
programming otherwise available only to AOL members, we can
showcase the incredible value of AOL for Broadband to millions
of consumers. And by partnering with Road Runner High Speed
Online, Time Warner Cable's award-winning high-speed Internet
service through our High Speed Internet Options service, we are
making it easier for customers to get the best high-speed
solution when they sign up for AOL for Broadband. This is a
significant strategic development for both AOL and Time Warner
Cable."
"We view these agreements as a way to introduce
AOL customers to the convenience and speed of broadband, while
offering Road Runner customers some of the best content and
features provided by AOL for Broadband," said Jeff King,
Executive Vice President, Network Operations for Time Warner
Cable and President of Road Runner.
"Time Warner Cable has led the industry in
introducing on-demand television," said Fred Dressler, Executive
Vice President for Programming at Time Warner Cable. "My MC will
enrich our digital customers' experience with on-demand product
and meet the needs of discerning music lovers."
About AOL(R) for Broadband
AOL for Broadband is the best source for
entertainment and information on the Internet, with programming
and features exclusive to AOL for Broadband members. Consumers
nationwide can simply add the AOL for Broadband service to any
high-speed DSL or cable Internet connection if they have
existing high-speed access through their local phone, cable TV
or Internet provider. Current AOL members can visit AOL Keyword:
Broadband to learn more about AOL for Broadband and place an
order. Or call 1-800-243-1319 or visit aol.com for more
information.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is
the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet
technologies and e-commerce services.
About Road Runner
Road Runner, owned and operated by Time Warner
Cable, is one of the nation's premier broadband service
providers. Road Runner, offered since 1996, has received
numerous customer service awards. It offers broadband Internet
connection at up to twice as fast as the standard DSL package
and 70 times faster than dial-up service.
About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable owns and manages cable systems
serving 10.9 million subscribers in 27 states, which include
some of the most technologically advanced, best-clustered cable
systems in the country with more than 75% of the Company's
customers in systems of 300,000 subscribers or more. Utilizing a
fully upgraded advanced cable network and a steadfast commitment
to providing consumers with choice, value, and world-class
customer service, Time Warner Cable is an industry leader in
delivering advanced products and services such as video on
demand, high definition television, high-speed data, wireless
home networking, and digital video recorders. Time Warner Cable
is a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.
