Once ATHM service is more widely known, it will help sell cable to people who don't now have it. In addition, T competition with the local phone monopoly will help sell cable service. T, ATHM and the other cable providers can undercut the local baby bell, and ISP combination's. In the case of T/TCI/ATHM, They provide BB Internet, TV, local and long distance Phone service, all in one low cost package. This lower cost, better, faster service will draw customers to cable like flies to honey. Your current number of 60,000,000 shows that ATHM has a lot of room to grow but it is not limited to that number (in North America). There is also worldwide growth to consider.
What does AOL's number of subs have to do with the price of tea in China? IMO, AOL will go down hill once most of the newbies have been online awhile and find out there are other ways to go that provide better service. Internet use is growing fast so it may take awhile for AOL to stop growing at a rate the market likes. After the AOL growth rate in subs tops out and curves down, AOL stock will take a big swan dive. AOL will be losing subs to better service as fast as they replace them with newbies. In the meantime we need to worry if there is enough room left in the landfills for any more of the AOL free 30 day trial disks. We now also have to worry about Prodigy filling up the landfill with disks too. <:{ On the other hand, AOL may wise up and figure out that they need to provide better, lower cost service and then do it. If so, they may be able to keep most of their existing subs and continue growing at a satisfactory rate.
Regards,
Wingman |
