Programmers and broadcasters challenging TWC iPad app

Time Warner Cable in iPad video spat [Financial Times]

After Time Warner Cable introduced the first live streaming iPad app last week, some programmers and broadcasters are crying foul - indicating that they don't believe that the nation's second largest cable provider has the rights to distribute programming on the device. The Financial Times reports that Scripps is objecting to HGTV appearing on the app. Broadband Reports has reported that broadcasters are preparing a lawsuit againt Time Warner Cable (TWC) over the app.

TWC's app provides 32 channels of programming for video and broadband customers on the iPad. The app authenticates from a customer's home broadband connection, which means that the channels are available within range of a wi-fi router in the home just like the same channels can be viewed on a customer's television in the home. The app will not work when connected to another Internet connection.

It seems quite a stretch to me for programmers to make this claim.  They allow Internet aggregators such as Roku, Hulu, and Apple TV to deliver their product to any device that's within wireless range.  But they cry foul when Time Warner does the same exact thing.

For its part, TWC is not backing down from the programmer/broadcaster challenge. The company's spokesman told the Financial Times that TWC is not removing the channels on the app and will be adding "functionality and breadth" to the app.

Comments

[Nate Hiatt]

Mark my words, it's coming... TWC rolls out ESPNNetworks.com, HBOGO.com and now this... soon to come, Data Caps with overage fees!

[Mark]

I don't see what the fuss is about. The subscribers to TimeWarner Cable have already paid for the privilege of watching these channels, and the content on those channels. Just because they ware watching it on an iPad while lounging by the pool vs. stuck inside the house watching it on a TV should not make a difference to them. They got their money via the subscription that these customers paid to TimeWarner.

Whether or not these programmers and content providers like it, and while we are not quite there yet, there will come a time when watching TV content and channels on your tablet, phone, or other wireless mobile device will be as commonplace as TVs are today.

Thanks to technology like Slingbox, Orb, and many other software and hardware solutions, people have been place-shifting (and time-shifting) their cable TV subscriptions for years. These programmers and content providers need to catch up with modern times. Watching their content on an iPad vs. a 2nd or 3rd TV in the house should not make a difference to them.

[Bryon]

That’s nice they got all 32 channels up and running for their customers. I’m sure they appreciate it. The selection is like a basic cable package was in the 80’s. I like watching TV on my iPhone and I plan to get an iPad soon. I can watch ALL of the channels I subscribe to because I have a DISH Network employee account with a Slinbox. I get 200 HD channels to watch and all work on my iPhone. TWC was nice to get that iPad app going but I bet their customers would like to watch outside of their homes too.