A new service from hotel pay-per-view provider Cabil Corp. allows cable operators to offer PPV programming on a subscription-on-demand basis.
The SOD service permits subscribers to initiate an operator- or programmer-defined subscription around the clock, with virtually instantaneous activation and without any interaction or complicated, time-eroding setup process involving billing systems or services, said Cabil Corp. president Leonard Sabal.
If a subscriber wants to order a specific block of programming-such as several sports events as part of an all-day subscription package, or several hours of adult programming-he or she can call an automated voice-response unit. Cabil's PC-based system then works with the local operator to create the PPV block.
The service can be interfaced directly with any analog or digital controller, either at the system level or a national satellite control point.
"It thus becomes possible for any operator to define, market and fine-tune various PPV offerings as subscription services, such as weekend college games or sports events or late night or daytime adult time slots," Sabal said. "Subscriptions can be readily configured for any period, from a few hours to a weekly or monthly basis."
The S2S service is based on Cabil Corp.'s proprietary and copyright-protected technology. The entire process takes only seconds and order fulfillment is virtually instantaneous.
"At any time, cable system personnel can access their S2S system to directly define and offer individual SOD packages, with time periods, pricing, and other parameters readily configurable and immediately applicable and available to subscribers," Sabal said.
"Should the system so choose, we will perform such services as a standard component of our ongoing support role, which, of course, includes all processing and reporting services, as well as S2S database and program maintenance."
Sabal said he's currently talking to operators about the service, but has yet to reach any agreements.
