READING PASSAGE 2
TIME WARNER AND THE INTERNET AFTER THE DIVORCE
In the next few weeks an end may be announced to one of the great unhappy corporate unions. Time Wamer, which spans off its cable-operating business in March and has pruned its film-production outfit, is now trying to undo its eight-year partnership with AOL, an intemal portal.
Just as Time Wamer moves to end one Internet relationship, though, it is beginning another. Later this year the firm will test a scheme such as HBO, which have so far kept their shows off the Intemet, will make them available online at no extra cost to people who can prove they subscribe to a cable or satellite package that includes the channel. Rival networks and cable providers have pledged to co-operate.
It is an attempt to preserve what is now plainly the core business of the slimmed-down Time Wamer - and which also happens to be one of the most dependable rackets in media.
Next
