Cox TV Connect Reaches PCs and Macs

Cox Communications has extended Cox TV Connect to Macs and PCs, the latest group of devices to gain access to an app that provides in-home streaming of more than 90 linear TV channels to connected devices that are within reach of the customer’s home network.

Cox launched the Cox TV Connect app in December 2011 for the iPad, starting off with fewer than 40 channels. The MSO has since expanded its live TV lineup and added support for iPhones, iPod Touch devices, the Kindle Fire and Fire HD, and Google Nexus and Samsung Galaxy tablets. Cox TV Connect also lets users access TV listings and manage their DVRs remotely.

The MSO offers the authenticated, cloud-sourced TV Connect app for free to customers who subscribe to its TV Essential or Advanced TV tiers, or take Cox’s Preferred , Premier, or Ultimate high-speed Internet services.

“Today’s households no longer watch TV just in the living room,” said Len Barlik, Cox’s executive vice president of product development and management, in a statement. “Customers want a personalized viewing experience on mobile and tablet devices as well as their computers.  Offering live streaming access on Cox TV Connect for PC and Mac users is the next step in providing choice and flexibility for the multi-viewing home.”

Cox, in tandem with Cisco Systems, is also preparing to launch a next-gen mobile app that will offer the live TV lineup, up to 40,000 VOD titles, and enable mobile devices to function as a remote control. That app, internally dubbed the Personal Video Experience, will unify the experience across connected devices. Cox is expected to offer it first on the iPad before extending it to other devices.