Charter Communications announced the launch of an authenticated video app that offers in-home access to more than 130 live TV channels and the ability to browse, but not yet playback, titles from the operator's VOD library.
Charter has developed versions of the app for iOS- and Android-powered devices, as well as an Android derivative for Kindle Fire tablets via the Amazon Appstore. It was not immediately known if the app, which can receive streams on devices connected to the customer's home WiFi network, also supported authenticated access to any live TV channels when customers were on the go.
The Charter TV app does provide a remote DVR manager, the ability to use the app as a fancy TV remote control, a recommendation engine, and a “Kid Zone” feature that presents only pre-approved, kid-friendly fare. A Sports Zone component, initially offered on the Charter TV app for iOS, offers scores and other sports-related content.
"We are excited to bring our customers the Charter TV App delivering greater choice and flexibility in how they watch their favorite content in their homes," said Rich DiGeronimo, Charter's senior vice president, product and strategy, in a statement. "Our new Charter TV App provides a fully-interactive and user-friendly viewing experience, allowing customers to watch live TV, customize DVR recordings, and browse thousands of On Demand titles efficiently and intuitively."
The new TVE app also offers a bit of a peek at the look and feel that will grace an HTML5-based, cloud-fed “Sky” user interface that Charter is developing for set-top boxes with ActiveVideo Networks.
