Content provided in partnership with

Charter Plugs VOD With Help From a Friend

Cable World, Oct 13, 2003

Byline: SHIRLEY BRADY

Dan Aykroyd is helping his buddy Paul Allen take his VOD service up to 11.

From Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, Allen's Charter Communications is offering the first cable operator-produced exclusive-to-VOD concert feature.

As an investor in Charter since day one - "I own every share that I've ever bought and Paul's a friend," he says - Aykroyd has a vested interest in promoting the company. His friendship and financial stake in the company led to Charter taping at an undisclosed cost his post-Blues Brothers band with Jim Belushi performing live at the Ottawa Bluesfest in his hometown (and Canada's capital) in July for a VOD special this fall.

Most Popular Articles in Technology: An overview of continuous data protection; Why all those current ratings?; Many countries now have a mobile penetration rate above 100%, report says; The Tata Group's big telecom gamble: VSNL's recent acquisition of Tyco ...; MEASURING BANK BRANCH EFFICIENCY USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS: MANAGERIAL ...; More »

The actor also taped some Charter cross-channel promos touting Charter on Demand at the show, expanding on his earlier TV spots, billboards and other promotional efforts for the company. (It's a two-way street: Charter chairman Allen is also an investor in Akyroyd's House of Blues franchise, and the two music lovers jam whenever feasible.)

Charter digital customers in 13 of Charter's 21 VOD markets - including its HQ of St. Louis plus Los Angeles, Atlanta and Ft. Worth, Texas - will have access to the Have Love Will Travel special at no additional cost as an incentive to test-drive Charter on Demand.

A limited supply of the Aykroyd/Belushi band's related CD will be mailed (one per participating household) in return for checking out the special, says Charter marketing VP Richard Yelen.

A torrential downpour during the Ottawa gig didn't dampen spirits for the audience or his band mates, says Aykroyd, who describes this band as a different creature than the Blues Brothers band Akyroyd started as a Saturday Night Live routine with Jim's older brother, John.

"This is more of a Texas-Louisiana fusion band, whereas the Blues Brothers is a Memphis-Chicago fusion band," says Aykroyd. "This has different players, different featured songs and sometimes we wear the shades, sometimes we don't."

Technology Industry

Charter Plugs VOD With Help From a Friend

Cable World, Oct 13, 2003

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Technology

Most Popular Publications in Technology