By now, you've undoubtedly seen the Alec Baldwin-as-alien advertisement that debuted on the Super Bowl for Hulu, an online video service that offers users access to television shows for free. And if you're not watching much TV these days, then you were probably already aware that much of what's on TV, and plenty of what's not, can be seen on the Web for free. So, with the economy in a tailspin, more consumers are turning to the Web for programming and opting to cut cable to shed a monthly expense. What do the cable companies think about this? Consulting magazine's One-on-One caught up with Shahid Khan, a senior partner with IBB Consulting Group, a boutique firm specializing in broadband related products and services.
Consulting: How concerned are cable companies right now about content that's available for free on the Internet?
Khan: I think the cable companies have been quite proactive in coming up with the right value propositions and alternate offerings for their customers. Even if a consumers want to get programming online, they'd still need a broadband connection. The cable companies actually provide broadband connections that are superior to what's available from many broadband service providers.
