CenturyLink, LG to pilot Internet-connected TV app

CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is using this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to show off how its enhanced Prism TV app can work with LG Electronics' Internet-connected Smart TV products.

The demonstration lays the foundation for a pilot program they plan to launch later this year.

During the pilot program, CenturyLink will deploy its enhanced Prism TV app on LG Smart TVs and LG HDMI Sticks, enabling its customers to view content without a traditional set-top box.

The telco recently launched version 3.0 of its TV app, which allows Prism TV customers to get access to both live channels and video on demand content both inside and outside of the home via iOS, Android and Kindle wireless devices.

What's compelling about the LG Stick for video consumers is that consumers can get live TV and VOD content on any TV that has an HDMI port with their home Wi-Fi router connection.

CenturyLink may trail its larger RBOC brethren AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) in the TV race, but it is making progress. In Q3 2013, the service provider reported that it added 17,000 Prism IPTV subscribers. 

Its move to offer services such as its TV Everywhere app and its work with LG show a desire to provide something beyond another me-too TV service.

For more:
- see the release

Related articles:
CenturyLink patent proposes using set top box for home monitoring
CenturyLink patents new power outage backup mechanism for DVRs
CenturyLink patent would give consumers 3 options to screen calls
CenturyLink adds out-of-home viewing to Prism TV app