Turner Broadcasting System has set the subscription rate for the fall debut of its GameTap broadband entertainment network at $14.95 per month. The company also announced
that all subscribers will get a two-week trial period for unlimited access to the network.
The first network of its kind, GameTap allows subscribers to access the largest vault of games, ranging from the early arcades to console and PC titles, using a broadband-connected PC. The network will also feature original Turner programming.
“Playing is believing,” said Dennis Quinn, executive vice president of business development, TBS, Inc, referring to the free trial. “GameTap is such a new concept that we wanted to unlock the ‘vault’ as a kind of virtual open house. While two weeks is not nearly enough time to explore the full depths of GameTap, it’s a great opportunity for an introductory self-tour.”
Turner executives said that the rate is comparable to that of other video entertainment subscription offerings, such as massively
multiplayer online role-playing games that predominantly charge about $15 per month. “MMORPGs have set the bar, and we feel it’s a good one for the kind of value GameTap delivers,” said Quinn. He also noted that one of the most successful Internet-driven DVD subscription service charges $17.99 monthly for its most popular DVD rental plan.
