Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) has broadened its relationship with application development specialist itaas Inc. , which will become a key contact for companies wanting to develop applications for the MSO's interactive television (ITV) platform. (See TWC Hooks Up Itaas .)

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the new deal calls for Atlanta-based itaas to manage the licensing, installation, and upgrades for the MSO's "Mystro Application Server" (MAS) software, a system that is central to Time Warner Cable's ITV efforts.

"While we have supported the Mystro Application Server install and upgrades for our development partners in the past, we are looking forward to having itaas assume this role moving forward," said Time Warner Cable VP of software engineering Sherisse Hawkins in a prepared statement.

Itaas will also offer software development kits (SDKs) for the MSO's in-house interactive program guides, the Mystro Digital Navigator and OCAP Digital Navigator. The latter refers to the navigation system Time Warner Cable created for advanced digital boxes that support the CableLabs -specified tru2way platform. The Mystro Digital Navigator is deployed in pre-tru2way devices.

At last check, Time Warner Cable had already deployed more than 2.4 million tru2way-capable set-tops, with more than 50 percent of its digital subs connected to systems where tru2way is already switched on. TWC ended 2008 with 8.6 million digital video subscribers, a penetration rate of 64.9 percent. (See Cable's 'Dream Set-Top' and Time Warner Cable Subs Growth Slows in Q4 .)

The deal with TWC marks the latest success for itaas and its "istart" developer program. It has similar deals in place for Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)'s pre-tru2way and tru2way/OpenCable Application Platform efforts, and for the enhanced TV platform established by TVWorks LLC , a joint venture operated by Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Cox Communications Inc. (See TVWorks Picks Itaas.)

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Cable Digital News