With OpenCable on the horizon, the cable and electronic games companies are realizing the advantage of getting chummier. Representatives of the two industries are getting together for the first “Cable & Games Summit” on Nov. 27 at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The NCTA, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) are sponsoring the event, which grew out of discussions between the two industries during the cable industry’s annual convention in Las Vegas last May.
The Cable & Games Summit will feature presentations, casual discussion and networking opportunities with senior executives from cable systems, programming services, gaming companies and industry associations.
Presentations and discussions will cover OpenCable, advanced set-top boxes, and distribution and business models. Other subjects will include how programmers are entering the game market, dealing with licensing issues, and creating games and promotions.
The ESA provided an indicator of growing demand for a combination of games and cable TV: More than 13 percent of Americans subscribe to broadband services so that they can play computer games.
“Cable’s robust broadband network combined with the industry’s experience building and distributing mass-market entertainment properties makes cable an ideal partner in the marketing, delivery and ongoing support of interactive entertainment content,” said Kyle McSlarrow, the NCTA’s president and CEO. “There are significant business opportunities for the cable and game industries to come together and provide exciting new services along with a better overall experience for consumers.”
