• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, January 7, 2021

Cable One broadband provider brand Sparklight is preparing to launch an IP-based TV service designed to provide cloud-based video and eventually supercede its set-top-box-based linear video offering.

Sparklight TV, which will run on Mobi TV’s Connect platform, will offer advanced cable TV features including video on demand, DVR and program restart capabilities in an app designed to run on streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV.

The new service will launch in some markets early this year, and roll out across the broadband communications provider’s full footprint by year’s end.

“Our transition to IP-based TV service will enable us to reclaim spectrum in our network needed to continue to expand the capabilities and speeds of our core high speed data product and provide the communities we serve with the fastest and most reliable internet service,” stated Ken Johnson, Sparklight senior vice president of technology services, in announcing the launch. “This is even more critical now, with the tremendous increase in customers working and learning from home.”

Phoenix-based Cable One serves more than 950,000 residential and business customers in 21 states through its Sparklight and Clearwave brands. Sparklight provides high-speed internet and Wi-Fi solutions, as well as cable and phone services.