An effort aimed at university halls also fits in with the broader subscriber outreach typically done by The Economist, Mr. Rossi said, which is directed at "the worldly, intellectually curious".
Disney has also previously suggested that dedicated streaming services around Marvel or Disney universe content might be an option, but now it sounds like all content will be found in one place, which again sounds like the better option in terms of attracting a broad range of subscribers.
David Bank, an analyst for RBC Capital Markets, said that the NFL Network had pulled off an "incredible feat" to get broad distribution and substantial subscriber fees.
They are seeking to become the representatives of a much broader class of subscribers and to establish what they describe as the illegal behavior of the teams and Time Warner Cable.
"These acquisitions will give Kabel Deutschland the scale to invest in broader offerings to subscribers across Germany," said Jonathan Nelson, the chief executive of Providence Equity Partners in Providence, R.I. Kabel Deutschland will spend about 500 million euros ($616 million at current exchange rates) over three years to upgrade its network for digital services.
The cable networks need to keep sports available on basic cable to retain the proportionally small but dedicated base of sports fans, and the teams need the subscription fees from the broad customer population of cable subscribers, which includes over 80% of the nation's homes.
Verizon, which like many telephone and cable companies also provides Internet service, argued that the subpoena process should apply to only a narrow set of circumstances and that its broad use would violate its subscribers' privacy and due process rights.
Instead, LevelEdge is a clearinghouse, allowing its subscribers to get a broad view of prospective graduates and promising athletes without an intermediary who might take advantage of unsuspecting families.
Still, over the past few years, AOL has successfully begun to diversify from its former dependence on its subscriber rates to a broader revenue stream, including advertising and e-commerce.
