Viacom Sues Cablevision Over Streaming Issue

NEW YORK: Viacom has filed suit against Cablevision Systems Corp. for making its channels available on an iPad app that allows subscribers to stream live video feeds.

Viacom says that Cablevision’s Optimum app, launched April 2, violates its agreement to distribute Viacom programming only on cable TV systems. The issue stems from interpretations of Cablevision’s lengthy agreements with Viacom to carry its TV networks, including MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, in the homes of its 3 million video subscribers. Viacom argues that those agreements don’t include the right to stream live feeds of channels to devices other than televisions.

The lawsuit seeks to halt the streaming, along with asking for $2 million for each trademark violation, compensatory and punitive damages, among other remedies.

“We have taken this action to protect our valuable content,” Viacom said in a statement. “Over the last few months, we have had limited and unproductive discussions with Cablevision about licensing iPad rights. We remain open to productive discussions, but we cannot wait indefinitely while our networks are being distributed without permission.”

Cablevision contends that it needs no additional rights to beam Viacom TV channels to the app. The cable provider says its system is secure and limited to paying subscribers in their own homes. "Cablevision’s very popular Optimum App for iPad, which has been available to our customers for nearly three months, falls within our existing cable television licensing agreements with programmers—including Viacom," Cablevision fired back. "It is cable television service on the iPad, which functions as a television, and is delivered securely to our customers in the home on Cablevision’s own proprietary network.”    

The suit comes just a day after Viacom came to a standstill with its legal spat with Time Warner Cable over the same issue, about its channels being available for live streaming on the iPad.