Mobile And TV Meshing More Often: TWC-Sprint; AT&T Homezone; Verizon-TiVo

Mobile handsets can be like those transformer toys when it comes to TV — handheld TV set, remote control, remote programmer, programming guide, sometimes all in one. One approach by Time Warner Cable and Sprint is now getting a trial in its third market, Cincinnati (it’s already in Raleigh, N.C., and Austin, Tex.): The Mobile Access uses the Sprint network and Sprint handsets but the service is through TW. Subscribers can get streaming video (some full channels, some clips) and music from up to 34 cable channels in real time; email and voicemail; calls to home and TW digital home phone without using minutes. Plans call for controlling DVR from the phone. Rate plans range from $15 to $25 additional per month; a la carte channels are available for $3.95 to $8. The Cincinnati Enquirer has details and a review.
As for the trial, TW spokeswoman Karen Baker told the Enquirer: “It’s been going very well in Raleigh and Austin. I can’t give out numbers, but it seems to be well received.”
Homezone mobile: Meanwhile, AT&T announced a “wireless remote interface” for Web Access Protocol 2.0-compliant cell phones and other handhelds. Users can check the guide, schedule recording, etc. The features are included in the $9.99 monthly fee, which is on top of the satellite service through Echostar.
Verizon-TiVo: Starting next week, Verizon Wireless will let customers use their handsets to program their TiVos ( as usual, DirecTV subs with TiVos are out of luck); a dozen handsets work with the new service. Reuters: “The idea, which wireless operators have been promising for months, is to better integrate wired and wireless services to encourage customer loyalty amid increased competition from cable providers, which have added telephony to their Web and television services.” Verizon will charge $1.99 a month for the privilege. (More important, when will Verizon lets subs record the shows from V Cast Mobile TV?)
Related:
– First Look: Verizon V Cast Mobile TV AKA Qualcomm MediaFlo