FiOS App To Stream TV To iPad, Tablets

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Moving into more immediate TV viewing for new mobile devices, Verizon's FiOS is working on a live TV streaming app for Apple's iPad and other tablet PCs.  

Recently, proponents of "TV Everywhere," such as Comcast, Time Warner and DirecTV also said they are working on a similar app. TV Everywhere allows existing cable, satellite or telco consumers the ability to access content on other devices.

The new app allows Verizon's FiOS TV subscribers to stream live TV from their home TV service onto an iPad over a home Wi-Fi connection. Eventually, Verizon officials say the app will allow access to live TV programming in other locations, provided they are FiOS subscribers and can authenticate their service with a user name and a password.

Right now, Verizon will use the set-top box software as the engine to shift programming to other home screens. Verizon say the new application will most likely be available in 2011. There is an outside possibility of offering it by the end of this year.

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Verizon executives liken iPad to traditional TV viewing. Unlike laptops which can have a start up time of several minutes, the iPad starts up instantly. Verizon's FiOS now has 3.8 million Internet customers and 3.2 million Fios TV users. Verizon FiOS has passed through homes representing around 18 million homes.

In addition to Comcast, Time Warner, and Verizon, DirecTV also plan to start a tablet PC app for its existing TV customers this fall for NFL games through its Sunday Ticket NFL package of programming.

Standing in the way of some of these deals are content providers.

To date, no offering covers the entire array of TV content. Additional rights for Comcast, Time Warner, Verizon or DirecTV need to be acquired to to put programs on new mobile devices, such as the iPad. Media companies have moved cautiously and conservatively most times in this area.

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