Over the years, cable companies have criticized networks and studios for opening up too much content online. Now the tables are turned, as cable companies begin offering iPad apps that stream live TV for free. Time Warner is the first to offer a streaming app (below), running ads that proclaim, “Make any room a TV room.”
Some content producers aren’t happy — privately, for now — and legal threats are flying around, reports NYT’s Brian Stelter. In response, Time Warner has launched an ad campaign that heralds “more freedom to watch on more screens” and asked, “Why do some TV networks want to take it away?”
Meanwhile, Cablevision is due to release a similar app in the next week or two.
These apps are not a second screen experience per se, but a screen extension — they only work inside a customer’s home, and with live programming. Time Warner says that’s part of the deal. But one TV exec told the Times that portability should be a premium experience — not a free extension. Stay tuned as the battle for tablet TV continues to heat up…