Comcast, Cox Prep Remote DVR Scheduling For 2009

Cable is trailing satellite and telco TV operators on a feature that’s proven to be very popular: the ability to remotely program DVRs.

Verizon this week expanded Web-based access to this feature to all FiOS DVR users, three months after offering it only to customers of the premium Home Media DVRs (which can now also use any Web-enabled mobile phone to access).

And DirecTV organized an entire ad campaign around the fact that it offers remote scheduling of DVRs. (In one of the funniest spots, it’s a feature that prompts the marketing geniuses at the fictional Cable Corp. Inc. to propose a new slogan: “Get Youthenized!”)

Now signs are pointing to cable catching up, as soon as later this year.

Comcast expects to offer the feature, through its Fancast.com entertainment portal, in 2009, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Allen.

Cox is also gearing up for a launch of remote access to DVR listings this year. The feature is part of its new tru2way-based IPG, set for a late-summer release.

Time Warner Cable is also working on deploying the capability, while Cablevision Systems confirmed that the feature is “in our plans” but declined to provide additional details.

Meanwhile, Charter Communications in early 2008 deployed remote-scheduling for subscribers with Digeo’s Moxi DVRs. However, it does not yet offer the feature to customers using Motorola or Cisco DVRs. The operator won’t say how many subscribers use the Moxis from Digeo, which like Charter is backed by Paul Allen.