Altice USA Adds $30-a-Month vMVPD, ‘Entertainment TV,’ to Its Optimum Stream Offering

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The cable operator will expand availability of its Android TV-powered Stream gadget, while tacking on a new sports-less offering with more than 80 live channels

Altice USA's Optimum Stream
(Image credit: Altice USA)

Altice USA quietly introduced its Optimum Stream device three years ago, allowing its broadband customers who don't take linear TV services a $5-a-month, Android TV-powered gadget that lets then stream Netflix, Disney Plus or whatever else is available in the Google Play Store. 

On Thursday, the New York-based cable operator announced an expansion to the Optimum Stream platform. 

First, there will be more access. Already situated in the legacy Cablevision Systems footprint of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Optimum Stream will now be available in 1.5 million additional homes situated in Western “Suddenlink” territories including Arkansas, Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina and Texas.

There will also be more content.

While more than 50 free FAST channels have been available via the Optimum Stream and Suddenlink Stream apps, a new $30-a-month virtual MVPD, Entertainment TV, including more than 80 live channels is now available for the platform. 

Channels included with Entertainment TV include A&E, AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Food Network, Game Show Network, Great American Family, Hallmark, HGTV, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TLC and We TV.

Entertainment TV customers will also have access to local news content from Optimum’s News 12 service, the hyperlocal news source focused on the New York tri-state area.

With the loss of another 78,000 customers in Q1, Altice USA finished March with just 2.1 million remaining pay TV souls. Like many cable operators, the company would prefer to leave linear video behind and focus on bundling internet service with its emerging Optimum Mobile products. 

“Optimum is focused on providing superior customer experiences at every touchpoint — backed by a world-class network and product set — and putting our customers at the center of everything we do. This launch demonstrates our commitment to further enhancing the Optimum TV offering and bringing customers innovative TV packages that satisfy their unique viewing habits,“ Leroy Williams, chief growth and innovation officer at Optimum, said in a statement. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!