Netflix's attempt to bring its video streaming service to Time Warner Cable set-top boxes "is on hold now that the cable operator is being sold," Bloomberg reported today, citing anonymous sources.

Comcast last week announced it has a deal to buy Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion. Netflix was in talks with several pay-TV providers to integrate the subscription video service with set-top boxes, the Wall Street Journal reported last October. Comcast and Time Warner Cable were among the companies that Netflix was negotiating with.

"The discussions are unlikely to progress before Time Warner Cable (TWC)’s $45.2 billion acquisition by Comcast Corp. is completed," Bloomberg's report said today. "Comcast, which isn’t as far along in its own talks with Netflix, is focused on increasing film downloads and rentals with its new X1 set-top box platform."

“They will not be in any kind of rush to let Netflix on their cable box and cannibalize their business,” industry analyst Arvind Bhatia told Bloomberg.

A Netflix spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Ars.

Even without the merger, Netflix may never have succeeded in getting on Time Warner and Comcast cable boxes. The large amount of traffic Netflix streams to customers of the cable companies, which offer their own competing services, has been the source of various business disputes.

The Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger is expected to receive a thorough antitrust review by the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice.