Windstream picked tax day to launched an IP-based pay TV service over its fiber network in Lincoln, Neb., where it faces off with incumbent MSO Time Warner Cable.
Windstream is initially offering the TV service, called Kinetic, to about 50,000 homes. It’s powered by Ericsson Mediaroom platform, features VOD, and is being offered on souped up Arris-made whole-home, wireless HD-DVRs. Watch this video to see more on Kinetic.
Windstream said it is not charging extra fees for professional installations, HD service, or its whole-home DVR.
Windstream has lined up a batch of no-contract bundles:
Bundle 1 -- TV + Internet
Basic: $59.98/month
Select: $104.98/month
Preferred: $124.98 per month
Bundle 2 – TV, Internet and Phone
Basic: $64.98/month
Select: $109.98/month
Preferred: $129.98/month
Rates for a TV-only service are “available upon request,” said Windstream, which will roll Kinetic to other markets later this year. Windstream provides residential service in parts of 18 states -- Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
It also offers a video service bundle through a partnership with Dish Network, and confirmed last fall, when it announced plans for Kinetic, that it will continue to support the Dish service option in all markets.
For Ericsson, Windstream is a win that comes after it rolled out multiscreen upgrades for Mediaroom in the wake of its acquisition of the IP video platform from Microsoft in 2013.
“We’re extremely excited to launch Kinetic in Lincoln,” said David Redmond, president of small business and consumer at Windstream, said in a statement. “Over the last year, we have heard loudly and clearly that this community is excited and eager for an alternative TV service. Windstream is confident that residents that sign up for Kinetic will find a highly interactive experience and a smarter way to watch TV than cable or satellite.”
