Earlier this spring, Cablevision released Optimum for iPad [iTunes app], which allows subscribers to use their iPad like a regular television set. The app is similar to offerings from Comcast and Time Warner Cable, but with one big advantage: Users can watch live TV from Cablevision's full lineup of programming. The only caveat is that unlike the Xfinity TV app, users have to be in their homes to watch Cablevision programming on their devices.
Still, the ability to use your iPad (and now iPhone or iPod touch) as a cable box, is incredibly cool. The new Optimum app for iPhone and iPod touch [iTunes] can also act as a remote control for a regular cable box, as well as a DVR manager. An updated version of the Optimum for iPad app also includes the new remote control and DVR management features.
Not everyone is happy about Cablevision's move into the digital device space. In May, Viacom sued Cablevision over its iPad app. Viacom says that the ability to stream live TV content on the iPad violates the channel distribution agreement between it and Cablevision. Cablevision maintains that iPad (and now iPhone) access falls within existing cable television licensing agreements.
Earlier this year, Viacom filed a similar lawsuit against Time Warner Cable. The two companies are now in a standstill agreement and it looks like the licensing issue will eventually be settled.
For cable providers, features like a live streaming iPad and iPhone app are seen as necessary enhancements needed to keep subscribers. From the content provider's point of view, live streaming apps are seen as undermining the TV Everywhere initiatives that the properties want to roll out themselves.
CNN, ESPN and HBO have rolled out their own apps that give cable subscribers access to live and archived content.