Comcast AnyPlay to Stream Live TV to Tablets

Comcast is closing in on the launch of AnyPlay, a service that will let customers stream live TV networks to iPads and other mobile devices over their home Wi-Fi network, says MacRumors. Comcast was not immediately available for comment Monday, but the speculation is that the MSO will kick off AnyPlay using Televation, an in-home streaming transcoding device developed for Comcast by Motorola Mobility LLC that converts live cable TV signals into formats that can be displayed on mobile devices. (See Moto, Comcast Team on In-Home TV Streamer and Comcast Keeps Eye on the iPad Prize.)

Dish Network LLC (Nasdaq: DISH) CEO Joseph Clayton tossed more grist into the rumor mill by telling Bloomberg that the satellite TV giant "could" purchase or partner with a wireless company such as Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) or Clearwire LLC (Nasdaq: CLWR). In a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing, Dish showed interest in developing a Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced network under a subsidiary called Gamma Acquisition. (See Dish Sizing Up Mobile Broadband Service and Charlie Ergen's Spectrum Grab .)

Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) has outbid HBO to notch an exclusive streaming deal with DreamWorks Animation, agreeing to pay US$30 million per film, reports The New York Times. The deal gives Netflix access to DreamWorks franchises such as Shrek in the pay-TV window starting in 2013, and comes as a bit of positive news as Netflix licks its wounds following recent price hikes, the failure to renew its contract with Starz Entertainment LLC and the splitting off of its DVD business. (See Netflix Does the Splits .)

Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) also started off the week with a streaming deal -- this one with 20th Century Fox -- that gives Prime Instant subs access to older movies and TV shows such as Office Space and Arrested Development. Amazon says Prime Instant's library is set to expand to 11,000 movie and TV titles this fall.

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable