Cable TV

Time Warner Cable (TWC) has announced a new trial program that will allow customers in New York City and New Jersey to use a Roku set-top box instead of the company's own cable box. The service is a new extension of the cable company's TWC TV mobile app, which let subscribers watch live TV on their devices, as long as they're connected to the home WiFi network. TWC's goal seems to be moving away from leasing cable boxes, and towards letting customers get their subscription over different apps and devices.

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Back in May, Comcast began a limited test of a mobile app that let users stream video from their smartphone to not only other phone users, but to TVs at home and the homes other subscribers. Called Xfinity Share, the app proved to be fairly popular, and now Comcast has made it available to all Xfinity customers. The app is free on both iOS and Android, and the only requirement for recipients of the stream is that they have an X1 DVR-ready set-top box.

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Comcast has revealed it's pulling its Xfinity streaming app for the Xbox 360 console on September 1st. The ISP hasn't made it clear exactly why they're killing the app, other than stating on Twitter that they're reshuffling to make "improvements to our online experience," but it's pretty obvious it was a flop in the face of the Netflix behemoth. First launched in 2012, the Xbox 360 Xfinity app was quickly criticized, especially by Netflix, for its abuse of network neutrality, as video streamed from the app didn't count towards users' data caps.

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Today a rumor suggests that Netflix will be the first place Disney's Lucasfilm will bring a live action TV show. Originally rumored for release on cable television back in 2009, this television show is one of several that may just herald the end of the traditional cable TV era. If Disney does bring a collection of Star Wars live action episodic shows to the world via Netflix instead of cable television, it'll most certainly be another nail in the coffin of the traditional model. And we've got Kimmy Schmidt to thank.

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Cable giant Comcast has just announced a partnership with video game publishing giant Electronic Arts to launch a game-streaming service for its cable customers. Dubbed Xfinity Games, the service is launching as a public beta today, and will allow users to play games from their X1 set-top box while using a smartphone or tablet as a controller. Comcast says the service is aimed at families and casual gamers, and will feature 23 titles at launch. X1 customers can sign up for the beta at xfinitygames.com, and are said to be notified of entry within a few days.

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You know that video streaming has become an unstoppable force when traditional content providers and operators start flocking to it in order to stay relevant. In order to curb the loss of cable TV subscribers and, at the same time, harvest its growing number of cable Internet customers, Comcast, considered to be the country's largest cable operator, is finally giving in and has just announced its own Stream Internet TV package. It's not a total victory for streaming, however, as the fine print considerably limits what customers can access and where.

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Dish Network, claimes to be the nation's 2nd biggest cable provider, and T-Mobile, the very outspoken fourth player in the country's "four carrier" wireless industry (at least according to the FCC) are said to be discussing a possible merger scenario, with some claiming a very positive outcome for the two companies is close at hand. If true, the industry could witness one of the biggest mergers between traditional media and communications companies, both of which are being threatened by the growing strength of the Internet.

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It looks like we're unlikely to see Apple branded television sets anytime soon. Apple CEO, Tim Cook, said back in 2013 that Apple had a "grand vision" for television, but the latest interpretation of that concept is that moving further away from actual TV sets and closer towards an online viewing platform.The television set market is already highly competitive, with Samsung leading the pack. Apple may be reticent to fight for ground in the saturated market when it can always the lead in new, emerging markets, like Apple Watch in the smartwatch market. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is gearing up to compete with a new online TV service.

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Live-streaming from your smartphone is about to get even easier. Comcast is following the lead of live-streaming apps such as Periscope and Meerkat and adding a live-streaming feature to its X1 set-top-boxes. Comcast is introducing Xfinity Share, a new way for people to send live video feeds to from their smartphones to their own TV's or TV's of friends and family members. You'll just need the home phone number tied to their Comcast account to add friends to your contact list. Users will also be able to stream recorded video from their smartphone's camera roll.

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When we discuss ‘cord cutting’, a lot of the talk revolves around which service streams what content, and to which devices. Netflix helps, and Sling TV is a breath of fresh air. HBO NOW is setting a new trend, too. What about local channels, though? That’s still ‘traditional’ TV — and that’s where the FlatWave Amped comes in. An ultra-thin antennae, FlatWave Amped may bridge the gap for cord cutters who already get cable content elsewhere. Does it live up to our expectations?

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In the wake of the FCC's Net Neutrality vote, all web content is created equal. However, nothing is every black and white, and there is a new gray area when it comes to managed services. HBO, Showtime, and Sony Corp. are pushing for their streaming content to be treated separately and have talked to Comcast Corp. about being included in their separate data lane for "managed services."

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Those in the digital world that have fully embraced Apple‘s ecosystem might be in for a treat starting June this year. According to sources familiar with the matter, that will be when Apple formally announces its yet to be named Internet-based TV service, with a launch slated later in September. If true, this will finally provide some closure to years of on and off talks and rumors about Apple providing a service that will appeal to cord cutters who prefer a more basic programming package delivered over the Internet.

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