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ISP's agree on Copyright Alert System, plan to notify you to death for piracy infringements
Too little, too late, we're afraid. For the past decade or so, the RIAA (amongst others) have spent every waking hour figuring out how to best sue and frighten every internet-connected human that even dares think about an illegal download. Now that said practice has failed miserably, it's finally resorting to something sensible. The entity announced today that AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision have teamed up with the RIAA and MPAA in order to agree upon a six-stage notification system that'll electronically alert internet users whenever their account is used for wrongful downloading. It's actually not all that much different than the systems that have been in place at Suddenlink for what feels like eons, but at least this creates a standard protocol that the whole lot can adhere to. Oh, and before you ask -- under no circumstances will any of these notices result in termination of your broadband connection. There's no way an ISP would agree to such a thing, and indeed, they haven't here. The full run-down can be delved into below, but it's worth noting that no extra "watching" procedures are being put into place; your ISP will only drop you a line if a content overlord asks 'em to. Good times, no?
Viacom sues Cablevision over its TV-streaming Optimum for iPad app
A day after Viacom took a break from courtroom battling over Time Warner Cable's iPad app, the media giant has filed a lawsuit against Cablevision over the Optimum for iPad app. Viacom wants a revised agreement before it sees its content appear on new screens, but Cablevision claims that cable service on the iPad is the same as on any TV. While their lawyers argue over the details you can check out the complaint from Viacom in the PDF linked below, or peruse official statements from both companies after the break.
Fox's latest anti-AllVid FCC filing suggests new pay-TV service is coming to gaming consoles
Forgotten what AllVid is already? Click here for more detail on the standard companies like Google and Sony are fighting for that would potentially let users directly access cable or satellite TV streams without a box. As one of the media companies trying to convince the FCC that the new AllVid replacement for CableCARD is unnecessary, Fox recently called the FCC and informed it of negotiations with a pay-TV service that wanted to license channels and VOD for streaming to videogame consoles. Even as it frets over Time Warner's TWCable iPad app, the filing suggests there's plenty of innovation going on and availability of content for consumer electronics devices already. Of course, pending any regulatory decisions we can only wonder which consoles or providers could be involved (our money is on the aforementioned Time Warner, but Cablevision, Comcast and all the rest are working on technology of their own, while AT&T finally brought its U-Verse to the Xbox here in the US last fall) but this should keep the rumor mill going until something is actually announced.
Cable TV iPad apps prove popular with customers
GigaOm has posted some interesting numbers about cable providers' apps that allow subscribers to watch TV right on their iPads. Time Warner Cable stated on its earnings call that its TWCable TV app has been downloaded more than 360,000 times in just under a month. Comcast's Xfinity TV app (out since November) has been downloaded a whopping 1.5 million times, and Cablevision's Optimum app had 50,000 downloads in just five days. All signs are pointing to the fact that cable subscribers love to be able to stream their shows to the iPad. Now, of course there are those pesky lawsuits from content distributors who are attempting to keep their channels off the iPad apps, but thankfully some cooler heads are prevailing. With the impressive download numbers above suggesting that people love viewing their cable TV service on the iPad, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before commercials start appearing that highlight a company's iPad app as a feature of choosing one cable company over another.
Viacom says 'not so fast' on that Cablevision iPad app
The pioneering road that leads to watching cable programming on an iPad just got a bit bumpier. Cablevision has received notice from Viacom that the cable provider's iPad app, which provides both live TV and video on demand to subscribers, is stepping over the line in terms of the programming it can legitimately stream via the app. Last week Viacom hit Time Warner Cable with a lawsuit over another iPad app. Time Warner has taken Viacom to court, claiming it has every right to distribute cable programming via iPad as long as it limits the programming to its cable/ISP customers. Earlier this month Time Warner dropped some cable channels from the app in an attempt to please programmers who didn't want content streamed. In a company statement Viacom said: "Cablevision has seized distribution rights that Viacom has not granted. Viacom grants rights to distribute our content based on specific technologies and devices. We will take the steps necessary to ensure that Cablevision respects our rights." Meanwhile, Cablevision countered: "Cablevision's agreements with programmers allow us to deliver cable television service to our customers, regardless of how many or what kinds of televisions they have in the home." Note the key differences in those statements. Viacom thinks it has granted rights to its programming based on a definition of 'television' that means 'box plugged into cable connection'; meanwhile, Cablevision (and Time Warner) are making the case that 'screens are screens' -- regardless of the connection method, if it plays TV programming, an iPad can be just as much a television as a 42" plasma. It may take a long time and a lot of money to sort out (and possibly a linguist to define 'television'). We'll keep our eyes on it and let you know who wins. [Via CNET]
Poll: Are you watching TV with/on a tablet?
Adding a tablet component to your TV service is all the rage among providers and set-top box manufacturers these days (Comcast, DirecTV, Dish, TiVo, Motorola, FiOS, Cablevision, Time Warner, Boxee just to name a few) but our question today is how many of our EHD readers are putting any of them to use. Check out the poll options below and find the one that fits you best, then tell us why in the comments below. Are all these iPad apps just a fad or is the tablet here to stay? %Poll-62573%
Cable iPad app roundup: Cablevision counts 50k downloads, Time Warner adds channels, Comcast increases VOD
For whatever reason, cable companies have fallen in love with extending their offerings to Apple's tablet, and as a result we have a glut of news centered around the devices from Cablevision, Time Warner Cable and Comcast. First up is Cablevision's Optimum app, despite upsetting a few sports networks it has passed 50,000 downloads from the App Store and as the press release (included after the break) notes, has been the #1 app in the Entertainment category since Sunday. The TWCable TV app also has good news, it's adding seven channels including Oxygen and Lifetime. While Comcast's Xfinity TV doesn't stream live TV like the other two here, it does have access to video on-demand and the company just announced it's added more viewing options bringing the total up to 4,500 hours of video available, up from 3,000 two months ago. More info is available at the source links, we're just wondering how many of you are actually dialing up any of this content on your iPads?
Cablevision releases iPad app for cable subscribers
Not to be outdone by Time Warner, Cablevision has released Optimum for iPad, which allows its cable subscribers to use their iPad "as an additional TV in the home." In addition to watching live TV, the app also allows Cablevision subscribers to record from the iO TV Listings Channel Guide, manage iO DVRs, browse and view Free On Demand content and view other On Demand content from iO Active Rentals. The free Optimum for iPad app requires a digital cable box on the iO TV account and an Optimum-provided modem. Last month Time Warner cable released a similar app that lets subscribers view live TV on their iPads (but that does not include the DVR/guide and on demand features of the Optimum app). Shortly after that, Discovery, Fox and Viacom demanded Time Warner remove their channels from the app. Time Warner responded by removing the channels, but also adding new ones to replace them. The new channels included A&E, Disney, Bravo, SyFy, Travel Channel and USA. While the Optimum for iPad app allows Cablevision customers to "watch all of your subscribed-to channels live," it's yet to be seen if Discovery, Fox and Viacom will demand their channels be removed from that app as well.
Cablevision Optimum for iPad app now available, streams hundreds of TV channels plus VOD
The new Cablevision iPad app is out, taking on broadcasters (Fox, Discovery, Viacom) attacking Time Warner's live TV streaming TWCable TV app by offering subscribers the same channels as their iO TV package and video on demand. The Optimum for iPad app also includes the ability to set up DVR recordings, delete recorded shows and browse TV listings, although it doesn't act as a direct remote for the cable box. The last time Fox and Cablevision squared off subscribers couldn't watch their shows on Hulu or two games of the World Series which, along with a long battle over network DVRs, suggests the cable company is prepared to dig its heels in deep on this issue. Multichannel News points out subscribers need at least one cable box to make use of the new app and the TOS states it can only be used within the customer's residence. Subscribers suitably equipped can grab the app at the iTunes link below, check out pics in the gallery or a video demo by a user embedded after the break. Update: Now we have the press release and fact sheet from Cablevision (included after the break) so here it is by the numbers: 300 channels, can be registered on up to three iPads per account and used on any two simultaneously. Remote control functions are scheduled for the summer, and the company states that since it is delivering channels over the digital cable network and not the internet (no 'net service required) it believes this use is covered by existing carriage agreements. [Thanks, johnnydop, jcdesimp & Michael] %Gallery-120267%
Time Warner removes channels from iPad app while Cablevision prepares one of its own
Time Warner Cable was the first party to blink in the battle with programmers over its new live TV streaming TWCable TV iPad app, removing channels from Viacom, Fox and Discovery. The company's official statement indicates its merely choosing to focus on the "enlightened programmers" who support its cause and that it will provide replacement channels (maybe BBC America, since it's in all the screenshots) ASAP, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Expect the legal fight to continue to heat up between Time Warner, which believes it has obtained all the rights necessary to provide these channels on any screen in a customer's home, and the programmers, that think it hasn't. Throwing more gasoline on the fire is word from Cablevision that its new iPad app with TV and video on-demand access was supposed to be out already and is merely awaiting Apple's approval before it launches. According to the Wall Street Journal it will go forward launching the Optimum Link -- formerly PC to TV Media Relay -- product that brings video from their PC to the TV tomorrow. Check out the list of pulled channels after the break or on Time Warner's blog, we'll let you know when or if anything changes.
Cablevision lets viewers watch 9 channels at once with new iO TV Quick Views
Cablevision launched its Quick View feature back in 2009 that displayed an array of channels in various categories all at once, but now it's updated that by allowing users to pick two, six or nine channels they want to watch and move through at once. Handy if you're watching multiple live events at once -- like March Madness -- or just want to have a PiP or two while you're waiting for something to come on. AT&T's offered a similar feature for a while My Multiview, displaying up to four user selected channels at once. Each subscriber can create up to 20 personalized layouts, which can be found at channel 600. Powered by ActiveVideoNetworks' CloudTV, from the screens it doesn't look like the most beautiful app ever developed, but the function definitely merits checking out if you have the service.
NHL Winter Classic game will be in 3D New Year's Day, find out where to watch
Whether or not you've been keeping up with HBO's 24/7 episodes, most hockey fans know that the yearly outdoor Winter Classic is scheduled for tomorrow between the Penguins and Capitals, but you may not know it will also be broadcast in 3D (the second one this season.) According to the NHL's page it will be available "worldwide" and we've confirmed Comcast, Cox, DirecTV, Cablevision Shaw and Telus are on the list. They're likely not the only ones, with Versus broadcasting if your provider has a dedicated 3D event channel and the sports network (especially if they broadcast the Oregon/Cal football game earlier this fall) it's a good bet it will be on but we'd check with them first. Here's hoping that next time around (the Heritage Classic game in February will be in 3D too) there's a slightly more coordinated effort to let those who might be interested in watching know where and how to tune in.
Big cable loses 500,000 subscribers in Q3, we neglect to send flowers
Last quarter was the first time ever that US pay TV subscription rates were down. Now, according to GigaOM's calculations, big cable suffered another set back in Q3, waving goodbye to over 500,000 subscribers in total. Comcast was saddled with over half of the carnage and lost 275,000 customers, while Time Warner took a 155,000 subscriber hit. Charter Communications and Cablevision fared slightly better, but still added 63,800 and 24,500 respectively to the industry pit of despair. Naturally, the blame game for the poor numbers was aimed squarely at the weak economy and increased competition from over-the-top video providers. Before you call the undertaker away from his wrestling day job, though, remember that cable's traditional backstop is to raise prices for remaining customers -- vicious cycle, anyone? In fact, Comcast shared on its Q3 earnings call that average customer revenue rose by ten percent year over year to $136 a month. Charter's similarly jumped by nine percent to $126, and while Cablevision's didn't increase by the same rate, monthly revenue per customer still amounted to a whopping $149 a month. So whether the reason is cord cutting or simply hard times, it's hard to get worked up over self-inflicted wounds.
Fox blackout on Cablevision ends after 14 day standoff, glaring contest continues on
Evidently missing the first two games of the World Series was about all Cablevision thought it subscribers could take, as news just hit the wire: the fourteen-day standoff is over and both tonight's game three of the World Series and tomorrow's Jets vs Packers game are available to subscribers. While these carriage disputes are pretty common, it is very rare for channels to be pulled and downright unheard of for a channel as popular as Fox. It came to this because Cablevision was very unhappy about News Corp's new terms and after many pleas to the FCC and politicians to intervene, an advertising campaign, and eventually an unaccepted offer to match the price that Time Warner Cable pays, a deal has finally been done. Not exactly all's well that ends well, though, as Cablevision released the following statement: "In the absence of any meaningful action from the FCC, Cablevision has agreed to pay Fox an unfair price for multiple channels of its programming including many in which our customers have little or no interest." Talk about sour grapes. Well at least we can hope that Cablevision's efforts paid off a little bit and your cable bill won't go up as much as it would've if the outage never occurred to begin with. We can hope.
Cablevision updates its anti-Fox message as blackout continues
For those in need of an update, the Fox/Cablevision dispute continues to drag on. Customers who try to tune into the channels on Cablevision are seeing an updated message (after the break) from the company calling out Fox for not accepting its offer of arbitration. Multichannel News mentions the parties met briefly Monday, and may again on Wednesday, with Fox claiming Cablevision refuses to accept the same terms accepted by other providers in the market. ESPN New York found some sports fans waiting things out at the local bar, but if this extends to the World Series and the Yankees advance, things could get ugly.
News Corp pulls its Hulu content from Cablevision customers, escalating carriage dispute (update)
If you were thinking that you'd just watch your favorite Fox shows on Hulu until Cablevision and News Corp worked out their differences, then think again. Not only can you not watch Fox on Cablevision's cable service at the moment, but if you get your internet from said company, you can't watch Fox content on Hulu either. This isn't too terribly surprising considering the networks see Hulu as a supplemental service to their traditional avenues, but that doesn't make cord cutters who don't even subscribe to cable feel any better. The good news is that these disputes don't tend to last long -- they usually never amount to an interruption in service -- so you shouldn't miss too many of your favorite shows before Cablevision gives in and pays Fox $1 per subscriber (vs $0) like the other providers have. Update: Hulu PR told All Things D that it "remained neutral" by blocking only Fox content on Hulu, so it's not like the entire service was pulled. Either way, things may be resolved quite soon, as the publication reports that both Fox.com and Fox programming on Hulu have been switched back on.
Fox channels (Fox5, My9) disappear from Cablevision lineup
The latest edition of the carriage disputes is also the most damaging, especially to sports fans in the New York area, as several Fox stations are no longer available to Cablevision subscribers. Naturally Fox and Cablevision have done the blame each other dance (both press releases are after the break) and set up websites arguing each side, but we're pretty sure the only real question here is if Fox5, My9 and the other networks will be back on the air in time for the NLCS which starts tonight, the New York Giants football game on Sunday, and potentially the World Series. Reports from the L.A. Times indicate Fox wants fees for its channel to reach $1 per subscriber, per month, plus deals for its cable channels. The FCC and several elected officials have tried to intervene and Cablevision has proposed entering binding arbitration but to no avail, now all that's left is the waiting to see if one side will blink.
Up to 30 minutes of free WiFi a month coming to NYC parks, New Yorkers scoff at the idea of spending 30 minutes outside
Free WiFi is one of those things that can only improve a location, so we're sure everyone will be pleased to hear that Time Warner Cable and Cablevision have teamed up and agreed to put $10 million into providing free WiFi in 32 New York City parks (as part of the city's 10-year renewal deal with the cable providers). The deal isn't without severe limits, though, as it will offer anyone up to three, 10-minute sessions of access per month, for a total of 30 minutes. After that limit is reached, there will be a charge of 99 cents per day to use the WiFi -- which sounds pretty reasonable to us. The plan is coming under a lot of scrutiny already, including some questions as to how the city (and the cable providers) plan to track each citizen using the WiFi, but we have a feeling they'll figure it out by the time the scheme officially launches, and we still don't know when that will be.
Cablevision rolls out Optimum app to iPhone and Android
For cable and satellite television providers, mobile DVR programming capability is arguably the new HD. Well, no, 3D is actually the new HD... but regardless, being able to set up recording from afar is a must-have feature that's being rolled out far and wide. Cablevision is the latest to get into the game this week now that its Optimum app is available both in the App Store for iOS devices and in the Android Market, giving access to channel lineups and listings along with the ability to set up new recordings (either for single episodes or series) and delete stuff you don't want anymore. It might not be quite as trick as Dish Network's Sling integration... but then again, Cablevision doesn't own Sling. So it goes! Follow the break for the full press release.
Cablevision promises TV, VOD streaming to iPads, other networked devices -- but only at home
We suppose the good news is that Cablevision COO Tom Rutledge mentioned the intent is to bring all of its services -- broadcast TV, video on-demand -- to networked devices capable of displaying video, specifically mentioning the iPad, and that it is also working on program guide software for Android and PCs. Unfortunately, unlike the TV Everywhere websites from others like Comcast, or Dish's Sling-powered placeshifting Cablevision only plans to allow access within the residence. According to Light Reading, the comments came during the company's second quarter earnings call, when he also noted that the PC to TV Media Relay for bringing web video to the cable box was still undergoing testing ahead of a fourth quarter launch, while the long awaited network DVR is in its second phase of testing will also begin rolling out later this year. We're not sure if Cablevision's reluctance to extend video beyond our four walls is a technical issue, greed, or if it's simply tired of fighting Hollywood over content rights after the network DVR legal battle, but we're still hoping for a change of plans down the line.
