Time Warner Cable Inc.
(
TWC
), the second largest cable multi service operator (MSO) in the
U.S., has launched a video streaming application for
Apple Inc.'s
(
AAPL
) iPad, iPhone and iPod touch customers. Launching the new
application puts it into a level playing field with arch rival
Comcast Corporation
(
CMCSA
) who is offering similar service through its Xfinity platform
for the past two years.
The latest version of the popular TWC TV application puts
forward some brand new features including a premium on demand
service for the Apple customers free of cost. TWC TV application
offers its customers the flexibility to watch 4,000 TV shows and
movies from 91 providers in both high and standard
definitions.
The users of iPad and iPhone can download the application from
Apple's App store and can search the on demand directory by title
along with the option of browsing TV shows, movies and kids
channel among others. For the subscribers of TWC TV application,
they can watch their favorite TV and movie shows anywhere in the
house.
Going forward, Time Warner Cable will add some more high
definition features content and wants to upgrade the TWC TV
application for personal computers and other smartphones running
on
Google Inc.'s
(
GOOG
) Android platform.
The online video streaming service providers, like
Netflix Inc.
(
NFLX
), Hulu.com, YouTube, Amazon.com etc. have become sources of
potential threat to the cable TV operators as they offer an
extremely cheaper source of TV programming.
We believe that by launching this application, Time Warner
Cable wants to capitalize on the popularity of the video
streaming services. Popularity of iPhone and iPad are expected to
improve the popularity of TWC TV. However, to gain mass
acceptance the application should be upgraded to run on other
operating systems.
We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Time
Warner Cable. The company also retains a Zacks #3 Rank, implying
a short-term Hold rating.
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