Elsewhere: Cox launches mobile apps, AT&T cracks down on tethering, Cisco pushes Docsis 3.0 limits and SeaChange soars on software in Q4

March 18, 2011

2 Min Read
Netflix Privacy Concerns May Spark Lawsuit

Happy Friday, cable gang. Leading today's roundup is word that Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) faces a potential class-action lawsuit involving privacy concerns.

  • While some subscribers may find Netflix recommendations useful, its practice of retaining data about users' movie rental history has resulted in a potential class-action lawsuit. (See Netflix Shopping for Original TV Series.)

  • Add Cox Communications Inc. to the list of pay-TV providers with an app for Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)’s iPad and iPhone, and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android devices. Cox's version starts off with features that let subs remotely manage their DVRs and e-mail and voice-mail accounts. (See Everyone's Mad About the iPad .)

    Here's a screenshot of the TV/DVR feature for the iPad version: 8559.jpg

  • Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) is the latest vendor to test the limits of Docsis 3.0 by demonstrating the bonding of 48 downstream channels and producing downstream bursts of greater than 1.5 Gbit/s, just outpacing the 1.4 Gbit/s Get of Norway tested earlier this year. (See Get Tests 1.4-Gig Speeds, {doclink204540}, Cisco Aiming to One-Up Cable's Upstream , KDG, Cisco Hit 1Gig Cable Modem Speeds , Korean ISP Bonds With 800-Meg D3 Test and Cox, Moto Test 400Mbit/s Docsis 3.0 Upstream.)

  • SeaChange International Inc. (Nasdaq: SEAC)'s move to focus on software and play down its hardware business continues to pay off for the digital video firm. The company posted fourth-quarter revenues of US$61.4 million, up 16 percent, while notching net income of $10.9 million. Revenues for servers and storage, per the company's new strategy, dropped $3.5 million, to $8.8 million, year-on-year. Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), Virgin Media Inc. (Nasdaq: VMED) and Cox Communications Inc. were SeaChange's 10 percent-or-greater customers in the quarter. (See SeaChange Ships Some Server Costs Overseas .)

  • AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is cracking down on customers who try to tether their phones to laptops to surf the Web on a bigger screen. (See AT&T Intros Mobile Data Caps.)

  • Cisco stock was up about 1.5 percent in early trading today on news that it will issue its first ever quarterly dividend -- a payout of 6 cents per share.

  • Cable networks griping about Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC)'s new iPad app may be "killing their golden goose," according to analyst Will Richmond. (See Deja Vu All Over Again and TWC's iPad App Launches With (Some) Live TV.)

  • Increasing DirecTV Group Inc. (NYSE: DTV)'s subscriber base by 289,000 subscribers during the fourth quarter helped earn CEO Michael White $32.9 million in total compensation in 2010. (See DirecTV Preps Broadband Boxes, Flirts With LTE.)

    — Steve Donohue, Special to Light Reading Cable, and Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable

Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry.
Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

You May Also Like