Cablevision has rolled out TV Everywhere apps from Showtime and ESPN that allow its authenticated subscribers to view video content via the WatchESPN and Showtime Anytime services.
Cablevision’s access to the WatchESPN service comes after the nation’s fifth-largest cable operator struck a wide-ranging deal with Disney in October.
Cablevision’s Optimum TV subscribers now have live access to ESPN networks on computers at WatchESPN.com, on mobile devices via the WatchESPN app or through ESPN on Xbox Live to Gold members.
Customers that subscribe to the corresponding ESPN packages can watch content from ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU. Additionally, customers can also view ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater on WatchESPN when those channels are in season.
“Fans want to watch their favorite teams as the action is happening, and we are pleased to add WatchESPN to our Optimum TV to Go service, allowing fans to catch the games they care about when, where and how they want it, so they never miss a crucial play,” said Bradley Feldman, vice president of video product management at Cablevision.
Customers can download the app for Android devices at the Google Play store, while Apple iOS users can go to the iTunes App Store.
Optimum TV customers can also visit ESPN’s Web portal on their computers to stream live ESPN programming online. Customers can go to this URL, select Optimum, and sign in with their Optimum ID and password to begin watching. Xbox Live Gold members can download the ESPN experience and authenticate with their Optimum ID to watch live events.
Additionally, ESPN 3D is now also available to Optimum TV customers with a 3-D television.
Cablevision said Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney XD and Watch Disney Junior will also be coming soon to Optimum TV subscribers. Similar to WatchESPN, these authenticated products will be accessible across a variety of platforms and devices both in-home and out of the home.
On the Showtime front, the Showtime Anytime app gives authenticated Optimum TV customers access to more than 600 titles of the network’s series, hit movies and sports programming. Customers can instantly watch every episode of a Showtime series, such as “Dexter” and “Homeland,” including current and past seasons. Users can create a personalized lineup using the “My List” feature, as well as automatically add new episodes of their favorite series as they premiere.
“It’s a great time for television entertainment, with rich characters and plots that our customers passionately follow. We are pleased to add Showtime’s high-quality programming to our Optimum TV to Go offering, enabling subscribers to keep up with their favorite shows when and where it’s convenient for them,” Feldman said.
The Showtime Anytime app, which works with iPad, iPhone and Android devices, is also available from the Google App and iTunes App stores.
