Charter 2000 Annual Report Download - page 17

15 CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS15 CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS15 CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
DIGITAL PLATFORM IS LAUNCH
PAD FOR BETTER SERVICES
With the transition of analog set-top
terminals to advanced digital receivers
completed in more than a million
homes, we’re moving quickly to
launch advanced interactive services.
Charter is the first multiple
system operator (MSO) to make a
substantial commitment to video on
demand. VOD is a convenient new
way for customers to view movies and
other programming of their choice
anytime, without the trips to the
video store, simply by using their
remote control to select from an on-
screen guide. VOD offers the same
functionality and control of content
as a VCR, including rewind, fast-forward and pause
features. VOD is available on both a per selection and
subscription basis. Subscription VOD offers unlimited
access to certain types of viewing, such as children’s
programming, for a fixed monthly fee. We’re rolling
out VOD to approximately 2.2 million homes in 12
markets by the end of 2001 – the largest deployment
commitment in the industry.
We’re also leading in the deployment of Wink
Communications, Inc.’s Enhanced Broadcasting service.
With Wink, Charter Digital Cable customers use two-
way interactivity to get more out of television, with
access to product information, news on demand,
coupons and shopping. Over 300,000 Charter digital
customers currently have access to Wink’s service, and
we expect to make the service available to 1 million
digital customers by year-end 2001. Charter was the
first to offer multiple interactive serv-
ices on the same platform by integrat-
ing Wink technology with VOD.
A PEEK AT THE FUTURE –
SIMPLY BETTER
Interactive TV is just the beginning
of a new world of communications –
options that make life richer, more
convenient and simpler.
Charter was the first in the
industry to embrace Internet access
via the television with WorldGateTM
service. We’re also developing an
interactive broadband portal that
blends the power of the Internet with
the convenience of cable TV. We’re
testing the service in our St. Louis
market and plan commercial deployments during 2001.
The interactive broadband portal takes television
to the next level – personalized TV. This provides
the customer a seamless user interface to access video
programming, Internet content, VOD, games, and
communications – all available through the television
and all tailored to the customer’s personal needs and
interests. The broadband home is personalized,
with TVs, PCs and wireless devices networked and
customized for household members.
Finally, we’re developing and testing Internet
protocol (IP) telephony – a new technology to provide
telephone communications over the broadband cable
network. IP telephony is another step in the conver-
gence of the television, personal computer, and tele-
phone. Charter is conducting trials of IP telephony
service in St. Louis and select areas in Wisconsin.
DELIVERING ON THE VISION
Bringing advanced services
to homes across the country
We’re aggressively rolling out video on demand, and we’re developing and deploying
other interactive services to maintain our leadership.
Charter leads the industry in
same store customer growth
with strong internal growth
in systems we’ve owned in
each measuring period.
Charter Industry Average
5
4
3
2
1
Same Store Customer Growth
(In percent)
96 97 98 99 00