Cablevision Gets Gov’t Backing On Network DVR Issue

Cablevision (CVC) appears on the verge of winning its battle to offer networked DVR services. The concept of a network DVR is a simple one: why should consumers store recorded programs on small hard-drives inside their set-top boxes, rather than on shared storage in the cloud? Cablevision has proposed rolling out a network DVR service, but the plan was opposed by content producers like Time Warner (TWC) , News Corp. (NWS) , CBS (CBS) and Disney (DIS) . The case has worked its way thorugh the court system; in August 2008, Cablevision an appeals court over-turned a lower court ruling that would have prevented the company from moving forward with service. The company has held off introduction of the service pending review of the case by the Supreme Court. On Friday, the Solicitor General issued an amicus curiae brief urging the court not to review the case, and to allow the appeals court ruling to stand. Pali Research analyst Richard Greefield asserted in a blog post this ... (link)