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Since introducing its version of TV Everywhere more than a year ago, one of the most frustrating aspects of Time Warner Cable’s video streaming service has been it only works within your own home over the cable company’s own broadband service. As of tomorrow morning, that will change. If you own an Apple iOS tablet or smartphone, the cable company’s new version of its TWC TV app (free) will bring streamed and on-demand programming from a handful of cable networks regardless of where you happen to be.
There are several limitations however:
- Having access to a Wi-Fi network while on the go will be a big help. Streaming access over 3G/4G service will initially be limited to Verizon Wireless customers, perhaps a fringe benefit of the agreement between Verizon and Time Warner Cable to collaborate in cross-marketing services;
- Only nine cable networks and one Time Warner Cable-owned news channel will be available for live streaming when the service launches. None of them are particularly compelling. Programmers are fearful that streaming access outside of the home may open up cable programming to non-paying customers with access to a shared password;
- Fox News Channel and Fox Business were reportedly going to be available as of tomorrow, but Time Warner Cable’s official blog post omits the two networks;
- Android and desktop users will have to wait until summer to get the upgrade, an annoying prospect considering Android users now outnumber Apple iOS users, who have to wait.
The online programming guide is also being revamped to help users find TV channels and online on-demand content more quickly.
The initial out-of-home On Demand library offers over 1,100 hours of programming from the following providers:
BBC America
BET
CBeebies
CMT
Comedy Central
Cooking Channel
DIY
FEARnet
Food Network
Hallmark
HGTV
Logo
MTV
MTV2
Nick Jr.
Nickelodeon
Palladia
Spike
TeenNick
Travel Channel
Tr3S
TV Guide Network
TV Land
UniMas
Univision
VH1
VH1 Classic
Live TV streaming will be available from the following national networks:
Aspire
BBC America
beIN Sports (English/Spanish)
FearNet
GMC
Pac-12
TVGuide Network
Additionally, all Time Warner Cable local news channels will eventually be available out of home, though all local news, traffic and weather channels may not be available immediately. The following news channels will be available at launch:
NY1
NY1 Noticias
News 14 Carolina
YNN (New York and Texas)
Thanks for the news, Phillip. I found a link to this article in my inbox when I got to work at DISH this morning. Great write up, but I think you may have meant “there are ‘severe’ limitations”. 9 channels available to stream through Verizon alone doesn’t sound like TV everywhere to me. I might be spoiled by the DISH Anywhere app though; it stream every TV channel I subscribe to, along with recordings from my DVR, and it works over any 3g, 4g or WIFI network I have access to. It’s the only app that gives me the choices… Read more »
Phil, I am assuming the above comment is Spam. This seriously undermines your site as a serious tech resource, some of us know the “Dish App” is a slingbox not an app but others do not.
Thanks
We have been getting more spam than usual during the last two weeks. The Akismet spam filtering system usually adjusts to manage the waves of junk, but not as well at the moment. I delete the spam left overnight in the morning when the filtering system misses it. Since you responded to the message, I will leave it up for context. I’d advise readers if they read the message above, the person -does- acknowledge he is an employee: “…when I got to work at DISH this morning.” I think it is overdramatic to suggest a comment “undermines” Stop the Cap!… Read more »
Appreciate the reply.
Thanks!