Time Warner Removes MTV, FX & Others from iPad App

NEW YORK: Time Warner Cable has pulled several channels, including MTV and FX, from its iPad app, after receiving complaints from companies such as Viacom, News Corporation and Discovery Communications alleging that the service is a contract violation. 

The Time Warner Cable app, which replicates the TV viewing experience on the iPad, has been a source of contention, since media companies are asking for more money from cable providers for the privilege to stream their channels to portable devices. Time Warner Cable stands firm that it believes it had “every right to carry the programming on our iPad app.”

The statement continued: “But, for the time being, we have decided to focus our iPad efforts on those enlightened programmers who understand the benefit and importance of allowing our subscribers—and their viewers—to watch their programming on any screen in their homes. In the meantime, we will pursue all of our legal rights against the programmers who don’t share our vision.”

Time Warner Cable had earlier this week started a public campaign to gain support for the app. “The enthusiasm of our customers and the programming partners who have embraced the app, rather than those who are solely focused on finding additional ways to reach into wallets of their own viewers, has convinced us more than ever that we are on the right path,” the company said. 

Time Warner Cable aims to add new channels to the app to replace the ones that have been removed.