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Charter and Time Warner Cable agree on $55 billion merger
Time Warner Cable (TWC) has leaped into the arms of Charter Communications in a merger valued at $55 billion, confirming previous rumors. That's considerably more than the $45 billion Comcast proposed to pay for TWC in a controversial deal that was eventually called off. Charter said that the merger will "create a leading broadband services and technology company serving 23.9 million customers in 41 states." Time Warner Cable rejected a similar offer back in 2014, but Charter sweetened it considerably this time around with an offer that values it at $75.7 billion.
Time Warner Cable's TV app comes to Xbox One
Good news: the TWC TV app is available for the cable company's customers (at least until/unless Comcast swallows it up) to watch TV on their Xbox One. Bad news: For now at least, it's limited to video on-demand only and not live TV -- weird, since it's there for the Xbox 360 version -- so it's not quite ready for you to ditch the cable box entirely. There is of course, always the option of using the HDMI passthrough, but it'd be nice to see full features, and according to Multichannel News Time Warner Cable is working on that. It does support stuff like Kinect voice controls and Snap multitasking, and promises both free and paid options among its content, so if you have the cable company's service plus one of Microsoft's current gen consoles, you should try it out.
Netflix asks FCC to stop Comcast/TWC merger citing 'serious' public harm
As it promised, Netflix has filed a petition to the FCC demanding that it deny the proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner. The 256-page document claims that it would result in "serious public interest harm," and no discernible public benefit -- two red flags for regulatory bodies. Netflix cited several examples of harm already inflicted on it by Comcast or Time Warner Cable. For one, Comcast has used network congestion as an excuse to "shift Netflix traffic to paid interconnections," It also argued that data caps have been used as a tactic to deter consumers from third-party streaming companies like Netflix or Hulu.
Comcast and TWC voted most-hated ISPs in America's most-hated industry
America's Consumer Satisfaction Index doesn't have a lot of nice things to say about Comcast or Time Warner Cable. The two business, which are currently trying to merge with each other, were found to be the worst ISPs in the most-hated industry that the index covers. Time Warner has the dubious achievement of making an all-time low score of 56 out of 100, with Comcast coming in just ahead of it with 57. On the other end of the scale, the 12,248 participants reluctantly gave their blessing to Verizon's FiOS, with a score of 71, and AT&T's U-Verse, which scored 65. What will this mean if Comcast and TWC do create a nationwide "triple play" behemoth? Mammoth profits for some, and red-faced calls for plenty of others.
Netflix gets specific about its battle with Comcast and opposition to the TWC merger
In the months since announcing a "mutually beneficial" interconnection agreement, Netflix and Comcast have seen eye to eye on very little. Throw in Comcast's attempt to swallow up Time Warner Cable and grow even larger, and you have a battleground for the two to air their disagreements. Netflix put its opposition to the merger in writing with its most recent earnings report earlier this week, spurring a response from Comcast, and now a pair of more detailed rebuttals from the streaming company (update: and yet another response from Comcast, this time claiming that Netflix itself caused the slowdowns). One is in a blog post by Vice President of Content Delivery Ken Florance, and another is a letter (PDF) by Vice President of Global Public Policy Christopher Libertelli in response to questions from Senator Al Franken. Both argue that Comcast's stance that it deserves payment is flawed because, among other reasons Netflix is still the one that must transmit its data to Comcast's network, where it stops without passing anywhere else.
EA is not this year's 'Worst Company in America'
That's right, after two years as The Consumerist's Worst Company in America, as voted by the site's online audience, EA was knocked out in the first round by Time Warner Cable. EA received 48.8 percent of the vote, while TWC got 51.2 percent. In response to EA's win last year, COO Peter Moore said the company had made plenty of mistakes: "These include server shut downs too early, games that didn't meet expectations, missteps on new pricing models and most recently, severely fumbling the launch of SimCity. We owe gamers better performance than this." This year, we launched a critique of online service to supplement our standard game reviews, called State of Service. It was driven by the need for more longterm evaluation of games as customer service, as illustrated in part by EA's SimCity and Battlefield 4 launches. Still in the running for the Golden Poo are TWC, Comcast, Koch Industries, Monsanto, Verizon, Wal Mart, McDonald's, Bank of America, Ticketmaster and American Airlines, with more still to be named. [Image: EA]
Several states join the Justice Department in probe of Comcast and Time Warner Cable merger
The future of Comcast's plans to bring Time Warner Cable's subscribers under its umbrella are still very much up in the air. The Senate is planning hearings about the merger later this month and now several states are joining the Justice Department (DOJ) in its probe of the buyout. The attorneys general in Florida, Indiana and other states are working with the DOJ to determine if the deal would violate antitrust laws. Each state is also looking at how the combination of two of the biggest cable providers in the US would effect local markets. While it's not unusual for states to join the federal government in antitrust investigations, it does give the DOJ additional resources to work with. At the moment the exact number of states joining the probe is unknown, but we're sure all will be revealed in time.
Cable companies and tech giants reportedly joining forces to push 'WifiForward'
Time Warner, Comcast, Charter, Google, Microsoft and Motorola aren't the most likely of allies, but it appears they'll be teaming up to form the new WifiForward coalition. According to the Wall Street Journal, the group will be pushing to expand WiFi access, primarily by lobbying the government to free up more spectrum for unlicensed uses. Each of the companies has been pushing for such measures independently, but by joining forces they're hoping to have more success. Increasing the available airwave space for WiFi transmissions will become increasingly important as the number of smartphones and overall data consumption in the US grows. Cisco Systems says that the average American consumed 1.4GB of data per month in 2013 and 57 percent of that was over WiFi. By 2018, that number could grow to 9GB per month. Notably absent from the list of companies are the mobile carriers. AT&T and Verizon in particular have invested heavily in building robust LTE networks. The less traffic traveling over those wireless frequencies, the less money the companies are generating -- and the percentage of mobile data sent over WiFi is only increasing. Google has invested heavily in WiFi across the country, and the major cable providers have joined forces to share their roughly 250,000 hotspots. Now these big players need to figure out how to take the next step.
Time Warner Cable to improve network in NYC and LA, promises faster internet, more reliability, better service
TWC Maxx: The extra "x" means it's better. At least, that's what Time Warner Cable would have us believe about its thusly named new initiative to improve the quality of its pay-TV and internet offerings in Los Angeles and New York. The plan is to deliver at least three times faster internet speeds for every customer except for those on the Everyday Low Price tier (which still should see a more modest speed boost). How so? Well, TWC's going to upgrade its network hubs in those cities. And it's going to retire its analog channels in LA in favor of digital offerings (as it did last year in NYC) in order to free up more bandwidth for SoCal customers. The telco will also continue expansion of its free, public WiFi networks (for business customers and folks on the Standard or better plans). Folks will also have the option to schedule same-day appointments when they're having problems. Last, but not least, TWC announced plans to continue its drive to deliver more On Demand content and to debut an improved set-top box with six tuners and increased storage capacity later in the year.
Time Warner Cable customers can now stream on-demand shows from A&E Networks
Sure, Time Warner Cable already provides a way to view on-demand A&E Networks programming via its set-top boxes. But in an era where watching stuff on different types of screens is key, service providers and creators alike know how important it is for people to consume as much content as possible, regardless of where they are. Today, as part of the TV Everywhere initiative, TWC struck a deal which lets its subscribers have full on-demand access to a number of channels from A&E Networks -- such as History, Lifetime and, of course, A&E. Naturally, this means being able to use the desktop site and mobile apps of each network to watch a variety of shows at any given time, including ones like Duck Dynasty, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Swamp People and Project Runway. We should mention that, as is often the case, Bright House Networks customers will also benefit from Time Warner Cable's latest content agreement, though they won't be able to use their subscription credentials until next week. A&E Networks has a number of apps across iOS and Android, so now might be a good time to download and set them up using your TWC ID -- because, let's face it, you can't wait to binge-watch Storage Wars: Texas.
Showtime Anytime is finally available for Time Warner Cable customers
Showtime Anytime has been able to be accessed with a number of service providers, but one of the major players, Time Warner Cable, was absent from that list since the beginning. Starting today, however, TWC customers can begin accessing Showtime's streaming offering, including via the iOS/Android applications and on the web. Naturally, you'll need to have a Showtime subscription as part of your cable package to view the content -- if that's all taken care of, you'll be ready to stream Dexter and Homeland in no time and anytime you want. And hey, Bright House Networks subscribers, this applies to you as well.
Time Warner Cable promises faster internet to woo back fleeing customers
One of the downsides of taking a risk is that the consequences are liable to come back and hurt you further down the line. Take Time Warner Cable, for instance, which took CBS' channels offline for the better part of two months in protest of "outrageous" carriage fees. Now that it's come to financials season, however, the company has admitted that the moral high ground came with a price: it lost 117,000 customers in three months. Of more concern, is that Time Warner also managed to lose 24,000 broadband customers, a trend which may make executives a little twitchy. In the hope of distracting people from today's dour news, the company is going to double the speed of Ultimate 50 customers in Los Angeles from 50 Mbps to 100, and those with the same package in NYC and Hawaii will get the same boost before the end of the year.
Time Warner Cable bringing live TV to Xbox 360 later this summer
A new Time Warner Cable app coming to Xbox 360 later this summer promises access to 300 live television channels, Xbox Wire has announced. The new Time Warner app, which requires Xbox Live Gold and a Time Warner subscription, will offer more live TV channels than any other on Xbox 360. The announcement follows Microsoft's Xbox reveal event and E3 press conference, where Microsoft showcased integrated live television on the Xbox One. Microsoft's entertainment division, overseen by former CBS executive Nancy Tellem, also announced an upcoming Halo live-action series in collaboration with Steven Spielberg. Last week, i love bees creator Elan Lee joined the division.
TWC TV app bringing remote viewing to Android devices on May 14th
Just weeks after TWC TV was overhauled for iOS products, the carrier has announced that a "serious" update will hit the Android version of TWC TV as soon as next Tuesday. The refresh will add access to over 4,000 On Demand shows and movies, as well as live TV streaming and On Demand support for older Android devices still stuck on v2.2+. Moreover, some of that content will also be available while you're away from home, "mirroring the experience" already available for iOS products. Moral of the story? Keep an eye on the Play Store as May 14th rolls around.
Time Warner Cable bringing on-the-go live TV and on-demand video to iOS devices
Time Warner Cable has announced an upcoming update to their iOS app that will enable subscribers to watch live television and on-demand programming from their mobile device as long as they have a Wi-Fi connection. Verizon Wireless customers can stream content over 3G and 4G. The app update is significant because it marks the first time Time Warner subscribers will be able to access content on mobile devices outside of their home-based Wi-Fi network. "We were the first provider to bring live television to the iPad in the home," Time Warner Cable executive Mike Angus explained in a press release. "Since then, we've increased the number of platforms and devices on which our customers can watch live television, and added thousands of hours of Video On Demand programming at no additional cost. The release of this TWC TV update is the next natural step towards our goal of giving customers even more of the content they love on every screen." Time Warner Cable's iOS app is scheduled to update Wednesday at 10 a.m ET. Following that, subscribers will be able to access over 1,100 hours of On Demand offerings from 26 networks such as Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, TV Land, VH1 and the Food Network. Subscribers will also be able to access live TV streams from 10 stations, though the selection is rather small. Thus far, the national options for TV streaming includes stations such as BBC America, Aspire, the Pac-12 Network and the TV Guide Network. Time Warner Cable notes that they are awaiting approval to stream live content from the Big Ten Network, Fox News Channel and Fox Business.
Time Warner Cable's TWC TV is coming to Roku streaming boxes
Confirming what we reported back in April, Time Warner Cable is bringing its TWC TV suite of streaming channels to Roku players. Launching "this quarter" TWC TV on Roku will bring 300 of its channels (including faves like ESPN and the Viacom family of networks) seen on iOS, Android and PCs, crossing what Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood called "significant milestones." Naturally, it's only available while owners are a home, so hopes for any kind of Slingbox or box-free IPTV action would be more than a bit premature. Still, it does mean that owners can either tune into channels without switching inputs away from Netflix or hook up a TV in a room using just WiFi -- no cable box needed. Like many recent Roku apps however, it is restricted to owners of Roku 2 and newer units. We've seen TWC TV demonstrated on other connected TV platforms like Panasonic, but while we wait for any other announcements you can dig into the press release after the break.
Time Warner Cable's iOS app updated with on-demand video
Time Warner Cable subscribers now have access to on-demand programming on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch thanks to a major update to the company's official iOS app. Now available on the App Store, version 3.0 of TWC TV also supports the iPhone 5's full display and is said to be faster and more stable than previous releases. Its live TV guide feature now includes a list of recently viewed channels, as well. Streaming video is the big addition though, and includes about 4,000 titles from TWC's full on-demand lineup in addition to programming archives from premium channels for those who subscribe to them. Not all content is in HD, but TWC says it is working to transition more of its SD on-demand content to higher resolution in 2013. [Via The Verge]
Cable, IPTV providers reportedly testing cloud-based HD gaming for launch next year
The next generation of consoles from Sony and Microsoft haven't even been announced yet but their best competition may be from your cable TV / internet provider, according to a report from Bloomberg. The only-too-eager-to-talk people familiar with the matter named AT&T U-Verse, Verizon FiOS and Time Warner Cable as services preparing tests before the end of the year with general availability planned for 2013. Comcast and Cox were also name dropped as potential candidates to bring console-quality HD games directly to customers, based on tech from startups like Playcast, CiiNOW and Agawi. Of course, while we've seen this sort of setup before (as seen above, check out an awesomely 90s Sega Channel ad after the break) and recently from OnLive and Gaikai, cloud gaming has yet to catch on in a major way. Whether this potential approach is all smoke or will actually turn into reality has yet to be seen, but after TV Everywhere we wouldn't be surprised to see providers toss in gaming as another incentive for subscribers not to cut the cord. [Image credit: Sega Retro]
NFL Network and RedZone Channel coming to Time Warner Cable (Update: Officially confirmed)
You don't have to look high (or low) to find a litany of complaints regarding Time Warner Cable's service, support or pricing, but it's evidently aiming to right one particular wrong later today. According to Bloomberg, the National Football League has inked a deal with TWC to bring the NFL Network and RedZone Channel to its systems. The move comes just months after the NFL ushered its networks onto rival Cablevision, putting TWC is a particular bind in the greater NYC market. It's still unclear where the channels will be positioned and how much extra you'll have to pony up to get 'em, but hey -- it's cheaper than moving to a FiOS neighborhood. (Though, admittedly, less satisfying.) Update: Both parties have confirmed it, NFL Network and NFL RedZone Channel are coming to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks starting September 23rd. NFL Network will be included for customers on the Digital Basic and Sports Pass tiers, while NFL RedZone is on the Sports Pass package only, check the press release after the break for the relevant details and self-congratulatory affirmations.
Time Warner Cable abandons wireless business plans, sells 7.2 percent Clearwire stake
Time Warner Cable has decided against entering the wireless business, and as such, it's selling the 7.2 percent stake in Clearwire it picked up in 2008. Thanks to the dwindling value of the network provider, it's $550 million investment is now only worth around $73 million. Current investors have first refusal on the shares, but it's unlikely to find takers quickly, given that both Intel and Google dumped their interests at a steep loss and even Sprint has ceased to be its majority owner -- although the company itself did tell The Wall Street Journal that it's doing perfectly fine, but thanked it for asking, before quickly dashing off to "a thing."
