It should be noted the service has its limits. It only works if you're a TWC cable customer as well as have TWC for your Internet connection. It then only streams when you're on your home network. In other words, if you are at your friend's house who uses Comcast, your TWC app won't work.

There are other limitations: TWC doesn't appear to have any on-demand content (as its cable provider competitors do on their iPad apps), so it really isn't any different than plugging a TV into the wall. This is the argument TWC is using when it says the contracts it has with Fox, Viacom, and Discover allow it to deliver the content to all screens in a customer's home.

Consumer Lose in Fight

I'm hoping that TWC pushes this and gets some sort of concession from the networks or has this go to court, as it will set a precedent for other companies. If TWC can get the networks on board to allow it to stream all its channels, that could be a must-have app - even if limited to your home.

How will things shake out? Enderle says: