T-Mobile-Viacom Partnership Heralds New Era of Video Bundling, Says FBN

The T-Mobile-Viacom streaming video partnership (see 1904030046) is part of a trend of bundling TV content not only with services offered by mobile wireless but also with "stuff most would never even think of," FBN Securities analyst Robert Routh wrote investors Friday. Such bundling partnerships could grow premium channel subscribers and cut churn and marketing and retention costs, it said. It said potential bundling partners with programmers include premium credit cards. wholesale clubs and subscription-based music services. Of the premium channels, Starz might be best positioned for bundling opportunities, with the lowest wholesale rate and thus potentially representing the best value proposition for potential bundling partners.