Time Warner Cable trademarks 'Social One,' may offer access to social networks through TV

Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) may be developing a way for subscribers to access Facebook, Twitter and other social networks through the TV, based on a trademark it obtained for the brand "Social One."

The nation's second largest cable MSO wants to be able to use the brand to offer subscribers a "single interface" for accessing social media accounts through the TV and the Web, according an application Time Warner Cable filed at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Time Warner Cable also wants to be able to use the brand for "computer software for use on mobile and Web platforms which aggregates content from other sources, such as social media feeds and allows users to manipulate content from other sources," the MSO wrote in the application it submitted on May 5.

With Americans spending more and more time each month on Facebook and other social networks, Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) and other pay TV providers are beginning to integrate social networks into their digital cable products. Verizon allows its FiOS TV subscribers to access their Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts through its FiOS Widget Bazaar, and Comcast has said that the next version of its interactive program guide would allow subscribers to recommend content to Facebook friends.

Facebook is also making moves to integrate its platform with a wide variety of media service, and last week announced that it would allow TiVo (Nasdaq: TIVO) and Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) subscribers to share information about what content they are watching with friends.

Time Warner Cable officials didn't respond to a request for comment on the trademark filing.

Special Report: Rise of the Uberguide

Related articles:
TiVo integrates with Facebook
Facebook to unveil media sharing platform
Comcast to leverage cloud computing