Cablevision to deliver live TV channels to laptops

A Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) spokesman confirmed Thursday that the MSO is testing an "Optimum App for Laptop" product which allows subscribers to access any channel from their pay TV programming package on a computer as long as they are in range of WiFi routers attached to its digital set-tops.

The app, which is similar to the Cablevision's app for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad, could help Cablevision reduce capital spending since it may not need to install set-tops in bedrooms and other rooms in a subscriber's home that have previously required a set-top. Cablevision has already reduced spending on set-tops through its network-based Optimum DVR, and has said that it will no longer buy physical DVRs.

Cablevision's move could draw a backlash from programmers that want operators to pay additional license fees to distribute video on devices other than cable set-tops. Last year, Viacom (NYSE: VIA) sued Cablevision in an attempt to prevent it from distributing content from MTV, Comedy Central and other networks through its iPad app. The companies later settled the dispute.

"Cablevision is currently testing a limited version of our Optimum app for laptop and notebook computers, with a limited number of customers," the MSO said in a statement it released Thursday afternoon. "Starting with the launch of Optimum App for iPad last year, we have always said that we expect to deliver our full cable television service to every screen in the home capable of functioning as a television, offering our customers additional value, convenience and an enhanced user experience on a variety of devices."        

News of the "Optimum App for Laptop" was first reported Thursday by The Verge, which said Cablevision is requiring subscribers that are testing the app to install Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Silverlight video player on their computers.

Last year, Cablevision launched a PC-to-TV media relay product that allows subscribers to access online video programming from their computers through TVs connected to Optimum set-tops.

For more:
- The Verge has this story

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