Time Warner Cable to trial TV packages for Internet-only subscribers

The company is now taking sign-ups for the trial, based on its Roku app. The company's group VP for Programming and Content, Alix Cottrell, said that the test is being limited to New York City at first to make sure the service is "really easy and straightforward" before it expands elsewhere, according to Engadget.

People accepted into the trial will receive a Roku 3 set-top, and be able to pick live channels in the same way as regular TWC TV customers — up to a maximum of 300 — or opt for select "skinny" bundles. Some programs should have video-on-demand access through StartOver, but initially there won't be DVR functions, movie rentals, or pay-per-view options.

Despite the ties with Roku, trial participants should be able to use their logins with other TWC TV app platforms, including iOS. Cottrell noted that the company is working on apps for still more platforms, which could potentially translate into an app for the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Prices will be announced when the trial launches, the current target date being Nov. 9.

TWC was at one point rumored to be working on enabling previous generations of the Apple TV to replace a cable box, but the technology never manifested, possibly because of Comcast's failed takeover attempt. Comcast itself was once linked to rumors of an Apple set-top, though the arrangement would've likely violated net neutrality rules.