Comcast announced several new features for its Xfinity X1 pay TV platform, including a partnership with DraftKings that will make degenerative sports gambling as easy as clicking on a QR code. 

X1’s new Odds Zone shows DraftKings odds for major sporting events as they unfurl live on the same screen. X1 now allows the user to place bets using a QR code and the DraftKings app on their smartphone. 

Comcast said that Xfinity Odds Zone will be available for most major sporting events, including the upcoming men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments, the NBA and NHL playoffs, and for the start of the NFL and MLB seasons.

Separately, Comcast is also launching what it calls a new “immersive viewing experience” around pro golf's The Players Championship, which will be presented on NBC, Golf Channel, Peacock and ESPN Plus from Palm Valley, Florida, March 12-17.

By saying “the players” in their voice remote, customers can tap into features including an interactive course tour of all 18 holes of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, a dynamic scorecard that shows how the course is playing in a given round, and a live leaderboard with tee times and in-progress round-by-round scoring. 

Additionally, users will find curated news and highlights from NBC, ESPN and the PGA Tour FAST channel, which offers live programming powered by new technology available to content partners through Xumo Enterprise. Customers can also launch Xfinity Odds Zone from the experience, providing a quick and seamless way to see the latest tournament odds and initiate bets via the DraftKings mobile app.

“With Comcast Business as a Proud Partner, The Players Championship is a perfect opportunity to showcase the power of our platform to help customers find, watch and enjoy events that span multiple networks and streaming services, along with interactive features for fans who want an even deeper experience,” said Vito Forlenza, VP of entertainment apps for Comcast, in a statement. 

Comcast and Charter Communications have been working to proliferate their IP-based video distribution joint venture, Xumo, across the North American cable industry and beyond. 

Xumo is designed to protect cable’s core broadband product and maintain its prominent position on the home screen while gathering all of the rich data that targeted advertisers so crave these days.

In July, Charter Communications CEO Chris Winfrey told equity analysts that the cable operator will make Xumo its “go-to-market platform for new video sales.”

Xumo enables Charter to continue to offer bundled video options in an app-based format, sans pay TV set-top and truck rolls, existing side-by-side with third-party services including Netflix and Disney Plus. 

LInear cable video isn't necessarily going away immediately. In early December, Charter chief financial officer Jessica Fischer reminded analysts at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference in New York that quadrature amplitude modulation, or QAM, the digital encoding standard for linear cable video, “is going to be with us for a long time.” She added that also while Charter is giving the self-installed Xumo Stream Box to its new video customers, it’s not actively looking to purge legacy Cisco Systems-enabled World Box set-tops from existing Spectrum TV subscribers.

Still, the takeaway was that Charter was in the JV for the long haul, and that this kind of venture was always destined to be a long-term commitment. 

With the traditional pay TV industry in a state of secular decline, in April 2022 America’s two biggest cable operators, Comcast and Charter Communications, launched a joint venture to build an operating system and an entire ecosystem of apps designed to preserve the incumbents’ gateway into the living room and give them a platform to expand into out-of-footprint markets across the U.S. and internationally. 

At the core of Xumo is Comcast's EntertainmentOS, a TVOS rooted in Comcast’s flagship X1 operating system and further developed through the conglomerate’s “Sky Glass” initiative in Europe. 

With the technological foundations already laid by Comcast, Charter committed $900 million to the Xumo TV JV at the time to help expand the platform to handle a new generation of devices and develop additional functionality. 

The Xumo TVOS leverages the Xumo branding established by the eponymous free ad-supported streaming (FAST) service Comcast acquired in 2020 for $100 million. That was at a time when FASTs were still considered a bit of a backwater, where distributors could tap some incremental revenue on cheap library content and re-runs that appealed to the nostalgia of a relatively small niche market of viewers. 

With the new branding, the original Xumo FAST platform is being billed as Xumo Play. 

Xumo TV

Comcast’s previous attempt to establish a TVOS have also given way to the Xumo brand.

Comcast’s Flex set-top boxes. for example, have been replaced by new the Xumo Stream Box as the free streaming gadgets Comcast hands out to its broadband-only customers going forward. Also, the company’s line of XClass TV smart TVs are being replaced by Xumo TV-branded sets manufactured by Hisense, Element and others at retail.

In June the first Xumo-branded Smart TV manufactured by Element Electronics went on sale at Walmart and other retail partners with screen sizes ranging from 43 to 65 inches.

It’s hard to gauge what the consumer response has been so far to the Xumo-powered smart TVs.

As Next TV reported in September, after four months on the market, while those Element sets garnered great reviews, they were being marked down by as much as 34%. 

In the run-up to Christmas, Pioneer became the third TV set manufacturer to introduce sets built on Xumo’s TVOS, launching sets at Best Buy. It’s worth noting that those sets are actually manufactured under license by China’s TCL. 

Xumo Stream Box: The Trojan Horse

Last fall, Charter started doling the puck-sized Xumo Stream Box to new Spectrum TV customers free for one year. Existing Spectrum internet and TV customers can obtain the device via “purchase or for a service fee.” The purchase price is $60.

An October 2023 Next TV review of the Xumo Stream Box plug-in device noted that while lack of second-tier apps was still problematic, “the Stream Box could be the Trojan Horse that ultimately extends Big Cable’s control of the connected living room.”

At SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in late October, Marcien Jenckes, president of the Xumo JV reported that Middletown, New York-based Mediacom Communications will also start distributing the new Xumo Stream Box to its customers in the coming months.  

Comcast made its announcement that it would offer one free Xumo Stream Box to all its broadband customers in early December.

Xumo Play

Meanwhile, the company’s FAST channel lineup has been growing in leaps and bounds throughout 2023, with Xumo Play now fielding more than 300 channels.  

Corporate sibling NBCUniversal has been furnishing Xumo with a wide range of FAST channels built around a broad range of NBCU entertainment, news, sports and Spanish-language content.

While some channels cover genres, the FAST space has plenty of room for others to zoom in on individual series or studio IP ranging from Saturday Night Live and Bravo favorites Top Chef, Real Housewives and Keeping Up With The Kardashians to black-and-white classics, including The Lone Ranger, Lassie and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

In terms of news, Xumo has easy access to corporate siblings NBC News Now and Sky News. In July, Comcast absorbed NBC News Now and 19 Xumo-Branded FAST channels into the Xfinity X1 UX platform. 

In terms of sports, in April 2023, Comcast added the NFL Channel to its Xumo Play FAST service, kicking off with extensive coverage this year’s NFL draft. Speedvision roared onto the platform in September. 

There’s even enough room on the dial for hyper-local FAST services like Cox Media Group’s Neighborhood TV, which was recently added to the lineup, covering more than 100 local neighborhoods spread across Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Evolution of Xumo TV: A Timeline

Comcast first rolled its X1 cloud-enabled video platform for Xfinity TV pay TV customers in 2012. The platform quickly became popular among subscribers for its ease of use, incorporating apps from all of the major OTT services at the time. 

Over the years, Comcast and its white-label X1 partners touted the platform as a major churn buster, reporting huge growth in video-on-demand and DVR usage.

In 2014, the third largest cable operator in the U.S., Cox Communications, became the first to license a white-label version of the video operating system, which it branded as Contour. 

In 2015, Canadian cable company Shaw Communications wrote down $55 million it had already invested in developing its own platform and licensed the white-label X1 platform, branded as BlueSky TV. 

In 2016, Canadian operator Rogers Communications came on board, branding its white-label iteration of X1 as Ignite TV. At the time, Rogers wrote off almost $500 million it had already invested in developing its own platform. 

In 2017, Montreal-based Vidéotron licensed the X1 platform for its Helix-branded platform.

In 2019, Comcast released a thin-client offshoot called Xfinity Flex for its growing ranks of customers who only subscribe to broadband. The $5-a-month streaming platform offers access to popular SVOD platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video along with AVOD services like Tubi and, of course, Xumo, plus VOD content for rent through Comcast’s transactional store. 

At that point, it became evident that Comcast had set its sights much higher — that the ecosystem it was building was evolving into a full-blown TVOS destined to compete with the likes of Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.

But to do that, it would have to be available far beyond the relatively limited footprint of Comcast and its white-label partners. 

The Competitive Field

The Comcast-Charter Xumo TV joint venture landed in a crowded field, with Roku and Amazon Fire TV firmly entrenched in the U.S., and plenty of competition from TV set makers like Samsung, LG, Vizio, not to mention a large installed base of Android TVs as well as its new incarnation as Google TV.  

After jointly carving out a beachhead in the U.S. wireless business, the Nos. 1 and 2 U.S. cable companies are at it again, announcing a new joint venture intended re-establish themselves as gatekeepers to the connected living room. 

Comcast and Charter just announced that they will collaborate on a new streaming platform intended to compete with the current dominant forces of the global CTV OS market, Roku, Amazon and Google. They're calling the JV “a next-generation streaming platform on a variety of branded 4K streaming devices and smart TVs.”

The name and key details of the new platform, which will have a national presence and be arbitrated at retail, extending beyond the robust combined footprint of the two cable companies, have yet to be announced. 

But we do know this:

Comcast's already established Xfinity Flex platform will serve as the foundation of the new service. Flex,  a thin-client version of Comcast's more robust Xfinity X1 pay TV OS, started out as a skinny-bundled offering that Comcast gave away to its broadband-only customers. 

Flex already supports most of the major connected TV apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu and HBO Max.

Lately, Comcast has expanded beyond its vast cable footprint with that Flex playbook.

Last year, Comcast launched a new line of smart TVs through Walmart called XClass TV, which is based on the same X1 source code, but available to anyone, whether or not they're a Comcast subscriber. And in Europe, Comcast began offering Sky pay TV customers a similar offering called Sky Glass. 

Comcast will also contribute Xumo, the ad-supported streaming service Comcast bought for $100 million back in February 2020. Xumo will continue to run on most third-party CTV platforms worldwide, but will be showcased on Comcast and Charter's JV. 

Charter, meanwhile, has pledged an initial multi-year investment of $900 million into the JV. The new platform will also support one of the most popular OTT apps in America, Charter's Spectrum TV app. 

Just five years ago, shortly after Charter acquired Time Warner Cable, the two top U.S. cable operators jointly controlled the video entertainment choices of close to 50 million American homes. 

Their "gateway" control has ebbed quite a bit because of cord cutting, dropping to a combined 34 million subscribers at the end of 2021. 

But in their quest to re-establish control of the American living room, that remaining base still provides a hefty amount of needed starter scale to take on Roku, which has around 52 million of its 60 million active global accounts in the U.S. 

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, partnering up on technology, expenses and user bases has helped Comcast and Charter boldly enter new industries before. In 2017, the pair agreed to share these resources to build their respective nascent wireless businesses, and the results have been solid.

Last year, Comcast added an all-time-high 1.2 million wireless lines to finish 2021 with 4 million total. Charter also grew its wireless lines by 1.2 million to end the year with 3.6 million. The growth for both companies has exceeded analysts' forecasts. 

Last week, for instance, MoffettNathanson principal Craig Moffett upped his prediction when he said both companies will end 2025 with a combined 16.5 million wireless lines. 

In fact, Moffett's report painted a somewhat bullish forecast for Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile, noting the competitive pricing and packaging of the two services relative to incumbents AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as the "attractive economics" of their wholesale agreements with Verizon. These "MVNO" licenses allow the cable companies to use Verizon's mobile network without incurring the costs of maintaining and innovating it.

Moffett is also enthusiastic about Charter's development of CBRS as a means of further enhancing the economics of its Verizon MVNO.  

The analysts predicts Xfinity Mobile EBITDA to reach $403 million by the end of 2023, up massively over the originally forecasted $34 million. He also sees Spectrum Mobile EBITDA hitting $326 million at that time, up from the original prediction of $46 million. 

X1, the Comcast video system that was supposed to save the pay TV industry with its voice remote and other advanced technology features, is on the ropes. 

Comcast, the leading U.S. pay TV operator, lost nearly 1.5 million residential linear pay TV subscribers in 2021, almost 8% of its customer base, ending the year with just 17.5 million residential video users. 

Also read: Comcast To Double Programming Spending on Peacock to $3 Billion

The losses are accelerating. The cable company bled 349,000 video subscribers in the fourth quarter, vs. just 227,000 in Q4 2020. Comcast isn't bleeding money on video at this point -- its video revenue was down just 1.2% in Q4 to $5.4 billion. 

But while somewhat anticipated, the quickened erosion of the one of the cable company's core assets still has consequences. 

Cord-cutting, of course, is now an accepted fact among the telecom companies that supply linear video services. Comcast, which added more than 1.2 million residential high-speed internet users in Q4, has for several years offered free of charge its "Xfinity Flex" thin-client video option to its growing ranks of internet-only customers. Flex provides these users access to popular OTT services including Netflix and Comcast's own Peacock, while keeping their video activities on Comcast's managed network. 

Also read: Has Peacock Found Momentum? It Was No. 2 in Signups for Q4

And Comcast is also exploring the expansion of the core X1 experience beyond its footprint, featuring it an OS called "XClass TV" that is now being sold in Hisense smart TVs sold at retail. 

Maintaining control of the Xfinity-branding operating system environment, regardless of its iteration, is crucial for Comcast, given that most of the users of its forward-looking video priority -- streaming service Peacock -- are monetized through advanced ad sales. And Comcast makes more money on advertising impressions within the Xfinity X1, Flex and XClass TV environments that it does, say, on a third-party platform like Roku. 

But for Comcast, the real meat of its Peacock platform control still comes via its X1-equipped linear pay TV subscribers. According to figures released during Comcast's Q4 earnings call Thursday, 7 million of the 24.5 million Peacock active users are those who receive access to Peacock Premium through their Comcast Cable video subscription. 

Undoubtedly, members of that subset will continue to ditch X1 and the full pay TV experience, downgrading to Flex and Comcast Xfinity Internet -- which is OK with Comcast longterm, as long as they keep using Peacock. 

Some of those users, however, are lost from the Xfinity ecosystem, and that is a concern. 

Comcast has launched the Fandor and Screambox streaming subscription services across its Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex and XClass TV platforms.

Fandor features indie films and Screambox offers horror content. Both services are owned by Cinedigm.

"Comcast has long been an innovator, allowing for millions of households to access the best content available with ease," said Erick Opeka president & chief strategy officer of Cinedigm. "We are thrilled to introduce both Fandor and Screambox to a new enthusiast audience found in homes across the country through Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex, and the recently announced XClass TV."

Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex and XClass TV are powered by Comcast's global technology platform. With nearly five billion entertainment streams delivered to customers weekly, Comcast's global technology platform powers its entertainment products and experiences, combining voice search, discovery, apps and interactive features into one experience.

Effectv, the Comcast Cable ad-sales division, is offering advertisers opportunities to reach advertisers on the Xfinity X1 platform.

Features available for sponsorship on X1 include a virtual auto showroom, a career center and a hometown hub. The company is also launching a Comcast Knowledge Center, a video library focused on opportunities for continuing education.

“Brands are always looking for ways to make their message stand out,” said Pooja Midha, chief growth officer at Comcast Advertising. “Through Xfinity X1, we are able to offer Effectv clients the opportunity to  reach their audience with rich, relevant brand content that goes beyond a simple TV commercial — an opportunity especially powerful for small businesses that may be struggling with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, these brands’ media investment dollars can go further with greater  interactivity and impact.”  

Brands that want to sponsor those X1 features can work with Mnemonic, Effectv’s creative agency, to develop campaigns.

“This opportunity is about  expanding the power of TV even more,” Midha said. “Brands already invest resources to create short and long-form  content for social and their websites. When this content is offered on demand and coupled with an  audience driven media schedule, brands further extend their reach and the impact of their video investment.”

AfroLandTV, a free ad supported streaming TV network backed by Comcast, launched Monday on Comcast Cable’s X1 and Flex platforms.

The addition of X1 and Flex increases AfroLandTV’s distribution to an audience of more than 40 million viewers. 

"The African film industry is the second largest in the world when it comes to content output, second only to India’s Bollywood,” said Michael Maponga, founder and CEO of AfroLandTV.  "AfroLandTV is solving the lack of distribution and logistics within the African film and TV industry, while bringing premium African voices, storytelling and entertainment to the global forefront. Launching on the Comcast X1 and Flex platforms is an important step in bringing our unique and important content to the widest audience possible.”

AfroLandTV features 1,000 hours of free African movies and other entertainment programming from African.

The channel is available on smart TV, with free channels on Plex, Local Now, Rakuten, Riaxx TV, TCL, Comcast-owned Xumo, Distro TV and Rad Live, plus apps on iOS and Android devices.

Comcast has natively integrated Disney Plus and ESPN Plus into its Xfinity X1 and Flex pay TV platforms. 

The integration means that the SVOD services are embedded into the interfaces of Comcast’s pay TV platforms and are searchable by voice control. Comcast has, over the last several years, launched most major OTT platforms on X1 and Flex under its so-called “aggregator of aggegrators” strategy. 

X1 is the technology platform used by the vast majority of Comcast’s 19.4 million remaining linear pay TV subscribers. Flex runs on a slimmed-down version of X1 and is handed out for free to the cable operator’s broadband-only customers. 

Comcast recently said it has around 3 million Flex users. The company is looking to expand Flex out of its footprint, where it would compete with Roku, Amazon and Google.

The expansion will further propel Disney Plus, which recently surpassed 100 million subscribers globally. Disney Plus has an estimated 40 million U.S. customers. Both Disney Plus and ESPN Plus are supported by the vast majority of popular streaming devices. In fact, X1 and Flex were probably the platforms' biggest remaining distribution holes. 

“With the launch of Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, our X1 and Flex customers will now be able to enjoy all the best entertainment from today’s most popular streaming services on one device that makes it easy for them to find their favorite programming, or discover something new,” said Rebecca Heap, senior VP of video and entertainment for Comcast Cable.

The HBO Max app is now supported by Cox Communications' Countour 2 and Contour Stream Player devices, the privately held cable operator said.

The Contour platform is a white-label version of Comcast’s Xfinity X1 video operating system, meaning voice control features are natively integrated into the HBO Max app. Cox noted that its customers can sign up for the $14.99-a-month WarnerMedia streaming service simply by saying “HBO Max” into their voice remote. The platform will support HBO Max’s movie playback in 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. 

Cox noted that the deployment on Contour comes in time for the March 18 release of the next big HBO Max tentpole movie, director Zach Snyder’s new cut of Justice League. Also, yet another WarnerMedia day-and-date feature, Godzilla vs. Kong, arrives March 31. 

Notably, Comcast deployed HBO Max onto X1, as well as the thin-client platform based on X1 tech, Xfinity Flex, back in December. 

Cox has just under 3.7 million remaining subscribers after losing around 215,000 in 2020, according to a recent Leitchtman Research Group estimate. It’s unclear as to how many of those customers use Contour tech. 

Warner Media touted around 17.2 million customers having upgraded to the app-based HBO Max as of the end of Q4—a metric improved no doubt by gaining distribution on X1, as well as Roku and Amazon Fire TV, toward the end of 2020. 

The long-awaited deployment of native app integration for HBO Max on Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Flex platforms has finally arrived. 

Users of the voice-controlled cable TV platforms can access the WarnerMedia subscription streaming service by simply saying “HBO Max” into their Xfinity Voice Remote. Priced at $14.99 a month, HBO Max will sit alongside Netflix, YouTube, CBS All Access and myriad other streaming apps that Comcast has made native, searchable parts of its pay TV interfaces. 

Notably, the integration comes ahead of the Christmas Day release of Wonder Woman 1984, the first theatrical title to debut simultaneously on HBO Max and movie houses. The films release in 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos will be supported by both X1 and Flex. 

John Stankey, CEO of WarnerMedia parent company AT&T, said HBO Max signups were up 4 million in just over a month since AT&T released third-quarter earnings—and also announced support for HBO Max on Amazon Fire TV. Clearly, increased accessibility for HBO Max made a difference. So integration into the robustly populated X1 and Flex ecosystems will undoubtedly further goose the HBO Max ranks, mostly with legacy HBO subscribers upgrading to the new Max service at no additional cost. 

“Since launching HBO Max, our teams have worked closely to deliver an HBO Max experience that would provide more frictionless access to Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, and we’re thrilled to debut the app today,” said Jennifer Mirgorod, head of sales and account management for WarnerMedia Distribution, in a statement.  “Millions of Xfinity customers can now easily explore all that HBO Max has to offer with a simple voice command.”

Comcast and the Walt Disney Company on Thursday jointly announced that the Disney Plus and ESPN Plus streaming services will be natively integrated into the cable operator’s X1 and Xfinity Flex video platforms. 

The cable operator said the subscription streaming services will hit its customers' set-top boxes in the first quarter of 2021. 

The announcement was tied to a Disney “investor day” presentation, in which the media conglomerate touted a new global subscriber benchmark for Disney Plus: 86.8 million users. 

Also Read: Disney Plus Now at 86.8 Million Subscribers

“Whether it’s live, on demand or streamed via an app, unifying content is our strength, and we’re pleased to add Disney Plus and ESPN Plus to our aggregation platforms, all accessible with the award-winning Xfinity voice remote,” said Rebecca Heap, senior VP of video and entertainment for Comcast Cable, in a statement.

Added Michael Paull, president of Disney Plus and ESPN Plus: “From day one we have set out to make our streaming services available both widely and broadly to audiences, and we’re excited to extend this promise to the millions of Xfinity customers.”

Starting with Netflix almost four years ago, Comcast has steadily added major OTT services as native offerings within X1, and later, Flex, allowing users to access these platforms within the cable company’s video UI. 

Sometimes, this integration takes a long time. For example, Comcast users still don’t have native access to HBO Max, even though X1 and Flex integration was announced when the service launched back in May. 

Comcast Cable said it will be distributing CBS All Access, the ViacomCBS streaming service.

ViacomCBS will be rebranding CBS All Access next year and Comcast will continue to carry it under its new name, Paramount Plus.

Related: Paramount Plus is New Name for ViacomCBS 'Super Streamer'

Comcast said its Xfinity X1 is the first pay TV provider to offer CBS All Access to their users. Comcast’ Flex broadband platform launched All Access earlier this year. 

As the pay TV industry goes through cord cutting, Comcast has been integrating streaming service into its Xfinity X1 platform, making navigating programming choices easier and boosting its value to consumers.

X1 already carries services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Peacock, YouTube, Xumi, Tubi, Pluto TV and a host of others.

“X1 customers will be able to enjoy CBS All Access’ offering of more than 20,000 episodes and movies from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and more, as well as exclusive original series like Star Trek: Discovery, with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays; the upcoming limited event series The Stand, premiering Dec. 17th and based on Stephen King's best-selling novel; as well as the recently debuted docuseries Texas 6, and many more,” said Rebecca Heap, senior VP, video and entertainment, Comcast cable, in a blog post 

“To launch the app and access the streaming service over the Internet, X1 customers can say ‘CBS All Access’ into the Xfinity Voice Remote,” she said.

Comcast has reportedly had “preliminary” talks with Walmart about building smart TVs based on the cable company’s X1 video platform and selling them in the retailer’s stores. 

Comcast is not confirming the news, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal and later corroborated by Variety and several other outlets. 

Walmart released this statement: “We’re constantly having conversations with current and new suppliers about innovation and new products we can bring to our customers, and we don’t share details of those discussions.”

Also read: Comcast’s Roberts: ‘We’re Looking at Smart TVs on a Global Basis’ for X1

Comcast’s upper management has made it known at recent investor events their interest in expanding X1’s footprint. Comcast has built a successful white label licensing business for X1, letting other cable companies use the technology—Cox Communications here in the U.S., and Rodgers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron in Canada. 

Comcast further expanded X1's reach last year, when it transitioned the OS to a thin client set-box it calls Xfinity Flex and made it available for free to its broadband-only customers. 

But increasingly, living room TVs in North America are dominated by Roku and Amazon, which control 38% and 33% of the connected TV market in the U.S., respectively, according to Parks Associates data. 

Controlling the device ecosystem is important to Comcast, which is now supporting two major streaming platforms, Peacock and AVOD service Xumo. Not only does Comcast want direct access to the viewer data on those platforms, it wants to be able to monetize them directly through advanced adverting. That’s much easier for Comcast to do when the transom is X1 than it is with Roku or Amazon Fire TV. 

Speaking to investors last month, Comcast CEO Brian Robert said, “We’re wondering, can we bring our same tech stack or certain capabilities in aggregation to consumers who are relying more and more on smart TVs? We’ve done that with X1 when we syndicated it to Canada and to other operators in the United States. And we see a similar road map possibly for that.”

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts confirmed reports that his company is looking to expand its X1 video operating system into smart TVs. 

“We're early days, but we're looking at smart TVs on a global basis,” Roberts said Tuesday, speaking during Goldman Sachs’ virtualized Communacopia Conference. “And we're wondering, can we bring our same tech stack or certain capabilities in aggregation to consumers who are relying more and more on smart TVs? We’ve done that with X1 when we syndicated it to Canada and to other operators in the United States. And we see a similar road map possibly for that.”

Also read: Comcast Looking to License X1 to Smart TV Makers (Report)

Comcast developed X1 a decade ago and introduced the platform back in 2012. In the more formative years of X1, the cable giant billed it as a “churn buster,” a means of countering the impulse to cord cut with a powerfully intuitive video platform equipped with advanced voice control features. 

But Comcast now sees X1 as an aggregation tool, enabling assets like new streaming service Peacock to proliferate beyond the cable company’s Xfinity-branded pay TV services. Comcast is also experimenting with new forms of TV advertising using X1, such as voice-interactive ads that leverage X1's Voice Remote.

“Let's talk about aggregation. That gets to the heart of what we do,” Roberts said. “I go back to when my dad started Comcast back in the 1960s, they were aggregating broadcast television signals in rural America. Today, we're aggregating whatever a consumer wants. It's traditional television, a sea of apps, streaming and it started for us and for Sky with having the best aggregation platform. And that's called X1 here in the U.S. and Sky Q.”

Peacock is driving heavy usage within the X1 ecosystem, Roberts said. On native X1 set-tops, it’s the third most used streaming app behind Netflix and YouTube. And on Xfinity Flex—the thin-client version of X1 handed out free to Comcast’s broadband-only customers—it’s second only to Netflix in usage. 

Also read: Peacock Signups Jump to 15M, Roberts Says

So Comcast wants to expand the profile of X1. 

It’s not an entirely new impulse, of course. 

Comcast already has “white label” deals to license X1 hardware and software to other cable companies. Notably, Cox Communications calls its iteration of X1 “Contour.” In Canada, Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron each license the platform, as well. 

Comcast has had talks with smart TV makers, dating back to CES in January, to integrate the cable company’s X1 video operating system into new TV sets, Protocol reports. 

Citing unnamed inside sources, the technology pub said it's unclear how far the talks have progressed Protocol also said that Metrological, the Dutch tech vendor acquired by the cable conglomerate last year, would lead the prospective software integration.

Comcast isn’t commenting on the report.

Developed in Silicon Valley and introduced in 2012, Comcast billed X1 as a “churn buster” for several years, noting significantly decreased customer losses for the portion of its video footprint that had the advanced X1 video software and hardware. But with Comcast having lost 1.27 million video customers in the 12 months ending Jun 30, the platform’s magic ability to stem cord cutting seems to be on the wane. 

Still, Comcast seems intent on proliferating its OS, perhaps beyond the pay TV business.

The cable company already has “white label” deals to license X1 hardware and software to other cable companies. Notably, Cox Communications calls its iteration of X1 “Contour.” In Canada, Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron each license the platform, as well. 

Several years ago, Comcast initiated its “Xfinity Partners” program, which enabled consumers to use devices like Roku to enjoy at least a portion of the X1 experience. And Comcast recently began integrating X1 into its own OTT device, Flex, which it gives away for free to customers who only take broadband. 

Comcast has solid business reasons for making X1 immortal amid the backdrop of a fading pay TV business, advanced advertising being front and center. 

Also read: Peacock Ushers in Era of Voice-Activated Ads

As reported by Next TV Thursday, the cable company is using its X1 platform, and its new streaming service, Peacock, to experiment with new advertising formats and measurement systems. 

Earlier this month, for example, Comcast began a collaboration with sponsors including Unilever and Target to create interactive TV commercials on X1, with Peacock users interacting with the brands via the X1 Voice Remote. 

Indeed, from Peacock to its $100 million acquisition of AVOD platform Xumo in February, Comcast has a lot of moving parts, as it braces for the streaming video future. 

And in addition to advanced advertising, Comcast sees X1 as a way to have some gatekeeper control in streaming world that is largely controlled by the new biggest connected TV platforms, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Notably, the Peacock app isn’t supported by either of these platforms. 

Meanwhile, native integration into smart TVs is increasingly viewed by the video industry as the means to proliferating gate control. For example, Roku—which controls about half of U.S. connected TVs—largely established that position through an OS integration deal with Chinese manufacturer TCL. That company has quickly become the U.S. market leader in smart TVs, undercutting Samsung with aggressive pricing, and Roku has enjoyed the ride. 

But smart TV makers have plenty of options besides Roku—and X1—for native operating software. 

TCL, for example, recently started making TVs for the U.S. market powered by Google’s Android TV. Samsung and LG, TCL’s powerful Korean rivals in the global smart TV market, have their own OS software. In fact, Samsung is also looking to expand its OS, Tizen, beyond its own sets. 

Comcast said it has launched Spotify on its Xfinity X1 and Flex platforms, enabling customers of those services to access the streaming music service.

Subscribers to Comcast's Xfinity-branded pay TV services can say “Spotify” into their voice remotes to access Spotify Free of Spotify Premium. The streaming music service also will began rolling out to X1 platform customers on June 22 and will be available throughout the footprint in the coming days.

According to Comcast, streaming music consumption has had double-digit growth this year and the increase in working from home -- associated with the stay at home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic -- is showing that more customers are streaming on their TVs.

“Xfinity customers love the broad range of content available on Xfinity, all easily discoverable with the award winning Xfinity Voice Remote,” said Comcast Cable SVP video and entertainment Rebecca Heap in a press release. “Music streaming on Xfinity X1 and Flex is at an all-time high and we’re pleased our customers will now be able to enjoy Spotify’s Free and Premium tiers and extensive library of on demand music, curated playlists and podcasts right on the TV alongside the growing catalog of entertainment already available on these platforms, adding even more great value to their Xfinity service.”

Spotify joins other streaming music services like Pandora, Amazon Music, Radio.com, iHeartRadio, XITE, NPR One, Music Choice, Stingray Music and Baeble, that are already available on Flex and X1.

Comcast today announced that it will offer AT&T/WarnerMedia’s just launched HBO Max streaming service to its Xfinity X1 and Flex customers. 

Subscribers to these cable TV services will have immediate access to the HBO Max app, which launches today. But they will need to provide their own compatible OTT device to play the service—Comcast said it will work with WarnerMedia to “quickly” integrate native support for the app in X1 and Flex, but that will take some time. 

Also read: HBO Max Launches Without App Support for Roku and Amazon Fire TV

HBO Max is also distributed by Charter Communications, Cox Communications and Altice USA, among other cable operators. However, device support remains limited. AT&T locked in deals with Apple and Google, meaning iOS and Android mobile devices are covered, as are living room platforms including Apple TV, Chromecast and Android TV. 

There's app support on major gaming consoles PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. 

But the two leading OTT device ecosystems, Roku and Amazon Fire TV, offer no support for HBO Max. 

“X1 and Flex bring our customers an unmatched depth and breadth of live, on demand and streaming entertainment, and we look forward to partnering with WarnerMedia to integrate the HBO Max app on our platforms alongside close to 200 other streaming services – all searchable with the award-winning Xfinity Voice Remote,” said Rebecca Heap, senior VP, of video and entertainment for Comcast Cable.

Tubi announced Monday that its AVOD platform has been natively integrated into Rogers Communications’ Ignite video service, the Canadian cable operator's licensed version of Comcast’s X1 video system. .

Visit Next TV to read more stories like this one. 

Comcast natively integrated Tubi into its own X1 system back in November 2018, allowing subscribers to search and access the free-to-consumer streaming service’s movies and shows through their X1 Voice Remotes as they would any other X1 program.

Since that time, other cable companies that license X1 technology have integrated Tubi into their UI, notably Cox Communications, which makes the AVOD platform a native part of its Contour video service.

Related: Tubi Bought by Fox for $440M

Other popular streaming services integrated into Ignite include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Tubi was purchased by Fox Corp. for $440 million in March. 

Tubi announced today that its AVOD platform has been natively integrated into Rogers Communications’ Ignite video service, the Canadian cable operator's licensed version of Comcast’s X1 video system. 

Comcast natively integrated Tubi into its own X1 system back in November 2018, allowing subscribers to search and access the free-to-consumer streaming service’s movies and shows through their X1 Voice Remotes as they would any other X1 program. 

Since that time, other cable companies that license X1 technology have integrated Tubi into their UI, notably Cox Communications, which makes the AVOD platform a native part of its Contour video service. 

Also read: Tubi Bought by Fox for $440M

Other popular streaming services integrated into Ignite include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. 

Tubi was purchased by Fox Corp. for $440 million in March. 

Comcast continued to offer free content to families sitting at home due the coronavirus pandemic by making on demand programming from more than two dozen multicultural-themed entertainment networks and subscription VOD services.

African-American targeted services available to Xfinity customers with X1 and Flex include AFRO, Aspire TV, Black News Channel, Revolt and TV One, Brown Sugar, The Africa Channel and Impact Network.

Latino-themed networks available include CBeebies, Cinelatino, Cine Sony, Cinema, Dinamita MX, Kanal D Drama, Kids Central en español, Pantaya, RCN Novelas, Universo, ViendoMovies and Vme Kids. International Networks now available include Filipino On Demand, Hi-YAH!, KOCOWA (all programs subtitled in English) and TV5MONDE.

The move to offer free services is the third for Comcast in response to the pandemic.

“All year round, we provide our customers with a wide variety of diverse and in-language programming and we’re happy to work with our partners to make a selection available for free,” said Rebecca Heap, Senior Vice President, Video & Entertainment for Comcast Cable in a statement. 

Comcast said it has made on-demand and subscription video on demand titles from a number of networks available to its Xfinity X1 and Flex customers for free during the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the company, Showtime, Epix, CuriosityStream, History Vault, Grokker Yoga Fitness & Wellbeing, The Reading Corner and DOGTV will all be available for a limited time. .

“This is an unprecedented time and we want to be there for our customers to help make the time they’re spending at home easier with free previews from our network, studio and streaming partners,” said SVP of Video and Entertainment Rebecca Heap in a press release.

Xfinity customers with X1 and Flex can say “Free” into their Xfinity Voice remote to explore the range of subscription programs currently available as part of the free on demand event spanning kids educational content, fitness and TV & movies, including:

• Showtime – all X1 customers can enjoy 30-days of all the series and movies the network has to offer including Billions, Homeland and Shameless. Xfinity Flex customers will be able to watch select originals such as City On A Hill and Kidding.

• Epix – 30 days free of the full Epix catalog of thousands of movies, along with acclaimed original series including Godfather of Harlem, Pennyworth, War of the Worlds and the highly-anticipated Belgravia, premiering April 12.

• CuriosityStream – 60 days free of the top 300 award-winning documentaries and series on science, history, wildlife, adventure, travel and more.

• DOGTV – the whole family is covered with 30 days free of programs for dogs, as well as dog-related programs for all dog lovers.

• Grokker Yoga Fitness & Wellbeing – 30 days free of expert-led video classes in fitness, yoga, meditation and healthy cooking.

• History Vault – 30 days free of a deep offering of classic series, documentaries and specials.

• Kids Room – 30 days free of a wide selection of popular series including Bob the Builder, Polly Pocket, and Strawberry Shortcake.

• The Great Courses Signature Collection – 30 days free of educational video lectures from the world’s greatest professors on subjects from photography to psychology, guitar to genetics, or mindful health to a vast exploration of history.

• The Reading Corner – 30 days free of reading videos on themes such as spring, holiday, school and nature. For children up to 10 years old. Stories include Donuts: The Hole Story, This is a Book Full of Monsters, and Beauty and the Beast.

Xfinity said it plans to open up more preview content from dozens of new networks, studios and streaming partners on a rolling basis over the coming weeks.

Comcast said that it has integrated the Hulu streaming service into its Xfinity Flex and X1 video platforms.

The move was part of the agreement last year for Comcast to sell its stake in Hulu to The Walt Disney Co.

Effective immediately, Flex and X1 customers who sign up or log into Hulu will be able to view Hulu content. In the near future, customers will be able to use the Xfinity Voice Remote to find Hulu programming.

Comcast has been integrating streaming services into X1 and Flex in order to give its customers convenient access to additional popular programming.. Among the services already  on X1 are Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Tubi, Pluto TV, Filmrise, HappyKidsTV, FawsomeTV  Kabillion. 

Also available on X1 is Xumo, which Comcast recently agreed to acquire.

LAS VEGAS — Subscription streaming service CBS All Access will be natively integrated into Comcast’s X1 and Flex pay TV products, a major component of the broad-reaching carriage deal struck between the cable operator and ViacomCBS that was announced this week.

Comcast said the integration will occur later this year.

ViacomCBS renewed its broadcast retransmission consent agreement with Comcast for 23 owned and operated stations in 15 markets, some of them being CW stations.

The deal also renewed Comcast’s carriage of pay TV channels Showtime, CBS Sports Network, Smithsonian Channel and Pop TV.

Comcast was among the first pay TV operators to start natively integrating major streaming services into the user interface of its video systems when it integrated Netflix into X1 back in early 2017. Since then, it’s added apps for YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and a number of other streaming platforms, making them natively searchable via Voice Remote.

Comast’s self-described “aggregator of aggregators” strategy has been extended to Xfinity Flex, the lighter video product the cable operator is marketing to its broadband-only clients.

With Comcast losing another 238,000 video customers in the third quarter of last year, X1’s reputation as a “churn buster” seems to have taken a hit. But most of Comcast’s 21.4 million pay TV users now have X1, and access to that user base will certainly benefit CBS All Access.

“The one place we hadn’t been able to place the service yet was the set-top box,” CBS Interactive CEO Marc DeBevoise, speaking at CES this week.

Prior to its merger with Viacom last year, CBS said it had around 8 million subscribers combined for CBS All Access and Showtime’s OTT service.

DeBevoise didn’t update those figures, but he did say that 79% of CBS All Access subscribers also pay for an MVPD service.

“It’s not a cord-cutter service. It’s actually the opposite,” he said.

CBS All Access is set to launch its latest original series, another Star Trek franchise extension, Star Trek: Picard, later this month. 

LAS VEGAS — Subscription streaming service CBS All Access will be natively integrated into Comcast’s X1 and Flex pay TV products, a major component of the broad-reaching carriage deal struck between the cable operator and ViacomCBS that was announced this week. 

Comcast said the integration will occur later this year. 

ViacomCBS renewed its broadcast retransmission consent agreement with Comcast for 23 owned and operated stations in 15 markets, some of them being CW stations. 

The deal also renewed Comcast’s carriage of pay TV channels Showtime, CBS Sports Network, Smithsonian Channel and Pop TV.

Comcast was among the first pay TV operators to start natively integrating major streaming services into the user interface of its video systems when it integrated Netflix into X1 back in early 2017. Since then, it’s added apps for YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and a number of other streaming platforms, making them natively searchable via Voice Remote. 

Comast’s self-described “aggregator of aggregators” strategy has been extended to Xfinity Flex, the lighter video product the cable operator is marketing to its broadband-only clients. 

With Comcast losing another 238,000 video customers in the third quarter of last year, X1’s reputation as a “churn buster” seems to have taken a hit. But most of Comcast’s 21.4 million pay TV users now have X1, and access to that user base will certainly benefit CBS All Access. 

“The one place we hadn’t been able to place the service yet was the set-top box,” CBS Interactive CEO  Marc DeBevoise, speaking at CES this week. 

Prior to its merger with Viacom last year, CBS said it had around 8 million subscribers combined for CBS All Access and Showtime’s OTT service. 

DeBevoise didn’t update those figures, but he did say that 79% of CBS All Access subscribers also pay for an MVPD service. 

“It’s not a cord-cutter service. It’s actually the opposite,” he said.

CBS All Access is set to launch its latest original series, another Star Trek franchise extension, Star Trek: Picard, later this month. 

Video technology vendor ActiveVideo has announced that Cable Bahamas will deploy its cloud-based, virtualized pay TV delivery system.

San Jose, California-based ActiveVideo is jointly owned by CommScope and Charter Communications. The latter uses the company’s CloudTV platform as the foundation of its Spectrum Guide video service, which virtualizes set-top processing and functions in the cloud, allowing operators to deliver next-generation TV experiences even to older set-tops.

ActiveVideo’s solution leverages Zodiac Systems’ software, including the Zodiac Stack set-top box software and Zodiac Matrix cloud integration platform, and is integrated with Minerva’s service management platform and client presentation engine. The end-to-end solution is branded REVGOPlay by Cable Bahamas.

“Our collaboration with ActiveVideo allows us to deliver world-class services across the Bahamas, by maximizing our existing capex and rapidly migrating our entire subscriber base to an advanced UI without needing to ship a new device to each and every home,” said John Gomez, COO of Cable Bahamas. "The flexibility of our virtualized platform will support agile and cost-effective growth as we introduce new services and devices.”

At the IBC Show in Amsterdam in September, ActiveVideo said that 18 million pay TV customers were using its cloud-based technology.

At that time, Charter issued a statement, seemingly aimed at reminding everyone that it’s still using ActiveVideo tech.

“Spectrum Guide has been deployed to millions of set-top boxes across our footprint providing a reliable, modern navigation experience, and virtualization has been key to that success,” said Jake Perlman, senior VP of software development at Charter. “Working with ActiveVideo allowed us to realize the promises of virtualization, deploy a world-class, next-generation TV service at scale and have a flexible platform that supports new features and services.”

However, Charter executives have conceded that they’re looking at Comcast’s X1 and are considering a white-label license of the video technology, similar to the one used by Cox Communications. 

Comcast, which has compared its new virtualized CCAP core technology to its X1 video system, will proceed with plans to license the software-based network tech to third-party cable companies just as it does with X1, according to Dell’Oro Group analyst Jeff Heynen.

“Comcast fully believes that other cable operators can benefit from their virtual CCAP core architecture, and they intend to license it just as they have done with their X1 video platform,” Heynen wrote in a blog post.

In July, Comcast announced that it had entered a multi-year agreement with Harmonic to license the San Jose, California-based access tech vendor’s CableOS product, which virtualizes Converged Cable Access Platform functions. It was reported earlier by Light Reading that Comcast was thinking about licensing out the vCCAP solution it was cooking up with Harmonic. And in October, Comcast told Light Reading that it had moved into deployment mode with not only access network virtualization, but also a shift toward Distributed Access Architecture. The cable operator said more than 100,000 of its customers are being served by vCCAP and DAA architectures.

“There are, of course, questions around just how that licensing model might work and how revenue might be distributed between Comcast and Harmonic, its vCCAP partner,” Heynen wrote. “But it’s clear that Comcast is leaving the door wide open to profiting from its software development work.”

During its third quarter earnings call, Comcast said that monthly data usage by its customers had more than doubled over the last three years.

“To deliver more bandwidth, MSOs traditionally have had to split their optical nodes to reduce service group sizes,” Heynen said. “Each node split, however, requires more passive and active equipment, including splitters, combiners, receivers, and transmitters. More importantly for opex is the need to increase the number of hardware-based CCAP platforms to support the additional bandwidth and service groups. The net result is a significant increase in space and power requirements in both headend and hub sites, as well as additional complexity in fiber cabling requirements.”

Comcast, Heynen noted, is taking a “lead role” in pushing virtualization, which allows it to add capacity without incurring exponential increases in space and power consumption.

“Even if Comcast moves away from its plan of delivering full-duplex (symmetric 10 Gbps) services in a node + zero environment, a virtualized CCAP core gives them the ability to scale at their own pace and at any location,” Heynen wrote. “Servers could still be located in existing headends or primary hub sites, or they could be deployed in centralized data centers. With workload balancing across their CCAP core servers, there are effectively no restrictions on where Comcast can grow its capacity.”

As for X1, Comcast executives have compared the micro-services-based nature of their vCCAP solution with the video operating system. Currently, Comcast licenses X1 technology to Cox Communications, which uses it as the foundation of its Contour video product. Canada’s Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron also license X1 tech. 

Comcast, which has compared its new virtualized CCAP core technology to its X1 video system, will proceed with plans to license the software-based network tech to third-party cable companies just as it does with X1, according to Dell’Oro Group analyst Jeff Heynen.

“Comcast fully believes that other cable operators can benefit from their virtual CCAP core architecture, and they intend to license it just as they have done with their X1 video platform,” Heynen wrote in a blog post.

In July, Comcast announced that it had entered a multi-year agreement with Harmonic to license the San Jose, California-based access tech vendor’s CableOS product, which virtualizes Converged Cable Access Platform functions. It was reported earlier by Light Reading that Comcast was thinking about licensing out the vCCAP solution it was cooking up with Harmonic. And in October, Comcast told Light Reading that it had moved into deployment mode with not only access network virtualization, but also a shift toward Distributed Access Architecture. The cable operator said more than 100,000 of its customers are being served by vCCAP and DAA architectures.

“There are, of course, questions around just how that licensing model might work and how revenue might be distributed between Comcast and Harmonic, its vCCAP partner,” Heynen wrote. “But it’s clear that Comcast is leaving the door wide open to profiting from its software development work.”

During its third quarter earnings call, Comcast said that monthly data usage by its customers had more than doubled over the last three years.

“To deliver more bandwidth, MSOs traditionally have had to split their optical nodes to reduce service group sizes,” Heynen said. “Each node split, however, requires more passive and active equipment, including splitters, combiners, receivers, and transmitters. More importantly for opex is the need to increase the number of hardware-based CCAP platforms to support the additional bandwidth and service groups. The net result is a significant increase in space and power requirements in both headend and hub sites, as well as additional complexity in fiber cabling requirements.”

Comcast, Heynen noted, is taking a “lead role” in pushing virtualization, which allows it to add capacity without incurring exponential increases in space and power consumption.

“Even if Comcast moves away from its plan of delivering full-duplex (symmetric 10 Gbps) services in a node + zero environment, a virtualized CCAP core gives them the ability to scale at their own pace and at any location,” Heynen wrote. “Servers could still be located in existing headends or primary hub sites, or they could be deployed in centralized data centers. With workload balancing across their CCAP core servers, there are effectively no restrictions on where Comcast can grow its capacity.”

As for X1, Comcast executives have compared the micro-services-based nature of their vCCAP solution with the video operating system. Currently, Comcast licenses X1 technology to Cox Communications, which uses it as the foundation of its Contour video product. Canada’s Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron also license X1 tech. 

Charter continues to talk to Comcast about licensing X1 video technology, and those discussions appear to have evolved to include Xfinity Flex, the video streaming service being offered to Comcast’s broadband-only customers.

"We have discussed that with Comcast. It's an interesting idea," Charter Communications Chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge said, responding to an analyst question during this morning’s third-quarter earnings call.

Rutledge said Charter is “considering” a technology license for Flex. “It has advantages,” he noted.

In May, Rutledge surprised the video industry, noting that Charter has had talks with Comcast to license the X1 video tech platform. Already, Cox Communications, along with Canada’s Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron, make X1 the technological backbone of their video service offerings.

Charter has had its own video distribution system, which it calls Spectrum Guide, in place since 2014. Spectrum Guide is based on technology provided by ActiveVideo, a company Charter jointly purchased with the erstwhile Arris (now part of CommScope) in 2015.

“Spectrum Guide has been deployed to millions of set-top boxes across our footprint providing a reliable, modern navigation experience, and virtualization has been key to that success,” said Jake Perlman, senior VP of software development at Charter, said in a statement last month.

However, with Charter continuing to emphasize wireline broadband growth—and wireless broadband convergence—video becomes less and less of a factor for the MSO.

At Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans earlier this month, one video tech vendor told MCN that discussion about Charter surrendering the task of continuing to develop video delivery tech to Comcast and X1 “keeps coming up.”

As for Flex, it’s the latest extension of X1—a skinny service offered, ostensibly, for free to Comcast and Sky broadband customers. (As tech blogs including the Verge noted, however, the true cost of Flex should probably include the $13 a month users are required to pay to lease a modem and router.)

Comcast sees Flex as a key distribution point for Peacock, the soon-to-launch, ad-supported streaming service being hoisted by the company’s NBCUniversal division.

Charter sees value in a skinny client device like Flex, too.

“We have a significant number of app-based relationships that we’ve developed on multiple devices,” Rutledge told investors. "That strategy is working for us but putting inexpensive devices out with our service makes some sense to us.” 

Cox Communications, which licenses CPE technology from Comcast, has quietly debuted its own streaming player based on the No. 1 operator’s Xfinity Flex blueprint.

According to a Cox rep, Contour Stream has been available to broadband-only customers for $5 a month since May. Light Reading was the first to report on this Cox product. Privately owned Cox has set up a page for the product here.

Just as Contour follows the licensed blueprint for Comcast’s X1 video platform, Countour Stream is based on Xfinity Flex, which deploys a Comcast Xi6 client and XB6 DOCSIS 3.1 gateway.

Related: Comcast Makes Xfinity Flex Streaming Box and Voice Remote Free to Internet Only Customers

Contour Stream supports Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Tubi and ESPN3 apps, among others. It also uses Contour voice control navigation, just as Flex uses the X1 Voice Remote.

Notably, on Wednesday, Comcast announced that it would stop charging its broadband-only customers $5 a month and start giving Flex to them for free.

Also notable, Canadian operators Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron also license X1. Expect a Flex offering from these operators soon. 

Quebec-based cable operator Videotron has launched a new entertainment, WiFi management and home automation platform based on Comcast’s X1 technology, two years after it announced a white-label licensing deal with its American counterpart.

Branded as “Helix,” the new tech includes the same wireless video set-top and DOCSIS 3.1 WiFi gateway used in the U.S. by Comcast X1 subscribers. According to Lightreading, Videotron is using gateway hardware manufactured by Technicolor using Broadcom chips. Another variety used in X1 is based CommScope/Arris devices powered by Intel silicon. Videtron will reportedly sell the Helix Fi Gateway for $187 U.S. and the set-top for $180.

Like X1, the system is controlled by voice remote, which lets users tap into the platform’s cloud DVR and powerful search and discovery capabilities using either English or French. As with X1, Netflix is native to the operating system, as is Videotron’s own SVOD streaming platform, Club illico.

The cable operator said it plans to enable X1’s home automation features in the coming weeks

Videotron lost 7% of its pay TV user base from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019. Like Comcast—and fellow Canadian operators Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, which have also licensed X1—Videotron sees the platform as way of at least slowing the effects of cord cutting.

For its part, Comcast may have lost 224,000 pay TV customers in the second quarter. But overall, it’s pay TV base has only eroded by about 2.1% from Q2 2018 to Q2 2019.

“Today, we're launching a brand new entertainment platform and, very soon, a connected living experience,” said Videotron CEO Jean-Francois Pruneau said in a statement. By consistently innovating and listening to consumers' needs, we're always offering the best customer experience. I believe Quebecers will not only adopt Helix quickly, they won't be able to live without it”

AVOD service provider Xumo announced the integration of its app into Comcast’s X1 platform, as well as 10 Android TV-powered devices.

X1 users can say “Xumo” into their voice remote and launch the free-to-consumer service. Down the road, Xumo hopes to expand from mere integration of the Xumo app into X1 and Comcast’s Xfinity Flex platforms and launch dedicated live streams of Xumo channels in the Xfinity program guide.

“This is a first step in a journey,” said Chris Hall, Xumo’s senior VP of product. Hall noted that Xumo’s relationship with Comcast dates back to the cable operator’s Watchable platform, a short-lived AVOD play

Comcast recognizes that free-to-consumer, ad-support content “is still a very important component,” he said. “They know that ad-supported video is away to augment their platform in a way they can’t with just Netflix and YouTube.”

Indeed, with riding carriage fees forcing operators to make tough decisions on programming networks, the addition of OTT platforms like Xumo and the also-recently-added Tubi allow companies like Comcast to offer additional programming to customers at no additional carriage fee.

The Xumo app has already been available natively to users of Comcast’s IP-based Xfinity Flex platform. In addition to the set-tops of the largest pay TV operator in the U.S., the Xumo app also lives natively within T-Mobile’s TVision pay TV service.

Meanwhile, Xumo is expanding the reach of its app to 10 Android TV-powered devices, including Sony smart TV models, Nvidia Shieldand Xiaomi Mi Box. The new partnerships increase the availability of Xumo in the U.S. to over 30 different devices, including Roku and Amazon Fire TV. 

TiVo announced today that Canada’s Shaw Communications has signed a multi-year extension for its i-Guide interactive programming guide, was well as expanded access to TiVo’s intellectual property portfolio.

TiVo said that Shaw “will gain broader access to TiVo’s next-generation IP offerings for use across all platforms including BlueSky TV.

“We’re happy to renew our agreements with TiVo, which reinforces our commitment to providing advanced entertainment offerings to our customers across Canada,” said Jay Mehr, president of Shaw Communications, in a statement

Related: Shaw to Trial Comcast’s X1 Platform

Notably, Shaw built its BlueSky TV platform by licensing Comcast’s X1 video system. TiVo, is of course, locked in a sprawling life-or-death patent battle with Comcast, attempting to get the No. 1 U.S. cable company to pay IP licenses for X1.

TiVo didn’t specify which patents Shaw renewed license for—or if any of them are the same as the ones it’s battling Comcast over.

“Extending our agreement with Shaw Communications underscores the benefits of TiVo’s advanced interactive program guide and demonstrates the value of our IP and technology,” said Matt Milne, chief revenue officer for TiVo. “With these offerings, Shaw Communications can continue to deliver captivating entertainment discovery experiences to its customers.”

Comcast has announced the launch of eye-control capability for its X1 video platform.

According to the cable operator, the new feature lets those with physical disabilities like spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) navigate their pay TV program guide using only their eyes.

Web-based system pairs up with the user’s set-top and allows the user to access a virtual, onscreen numerical and directional interface, controlling it with their gaze.

Users can change the channel, launch the guide, search for content and set recordings without assistance. They can also use the eye-control system to set up Voice Control shortcuts for the future.

It's not a bad public relations asset for Comcast, which certainly needs one. But with more than 48 million people living with physical or mobility disabilities, there's definitely a market to be served here. 

“Changing the channel on a TV is something most of us take for granted but until now, it was a near-impossible task for millions of viewers,” said Tom Wlodkowski, VP of accessibility at Comcast. “When you make a product more inclusive you create a better experience for everyone and we’re hoping our new X1 feature makes a real difference in the lives of our customers.”

“Comcast knows that TV and media access is a powerful part of life for most people,” said David Dikter, CEO, Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA). “That X1 can now be used with eye gaze and an array of other assistive technologies shows a new level of commitment to access and independence for persons with disabilities. A company that understands that users have their own specialized technology and works to bridge these technologies in a way that delivers value, deserves applause.” 

Viacom-owned Pluto TV, which launched on Cox's Contour video system last week, is now available on the mother ship, Comcast’s X1.

The ad-supported, free-to-consumer streaming service is now native within the operating systems of X1 and multi-screen iteration Xfinity Flex. This means that the AVOD service appears as a native channel within the X1 and Flex user interface, its programming options searchable and playable via the X1 Voice Remote.

Distribution-wise, it’s a pretty big deal for Pluto TV, which says it currently has around 16 million regular users. More than half of Comcast’s 21.8 million pay TV users are on X1 or Xfinity Flex. 

Related: Cox Integrates Pluto TV into Licensed X1 Platform Contour

“The launch of Pluto TV on Xfinity X1 is a pivotal moment for Pluto TV, expanding our reach to a whole new audience in search of free streaming entertainment,” said Tom Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Pluto TV. “Pluto TV is the perfect complement to the X1 platform, delivering a rich lineup of original live channels and on-demand movies and TV shows to Comcast’s customers right where they enjoy the rest of their entertainment experience.”

Viacom has further expanded the reach of its recently acquired ad-supported streaming platform, Pluto TV, announcing native integration into Cox Communications’ Contour platform.

Integration of the streaming platform means that it now shows up in the Contour user interface and is addressable via voice remote. 

For Viacom, which paid $340 million for the AVOD platform in January, it’s the second major distribution announcement for Pluto TV in the last week—earlier, it said that the streaming service is now available to Amazon Fire TV users in the UK, Germany and Austria.

As for doing business with Cox, the cable company has just under 4 million video subscribers, according to Leichtman Research Group estimates. But it’s unclear as to exactly how many of those use Contour, which is Cox’s licensed and rebranded version of Comcast’s X1 platform. A little more than a year ago, Cox said it had gathered 1 million Contour users.

Pluto TV said it was reaching 12 million monthly users at the time it was purchased by Viacom. It now says that number is up to 16 million.

Typically, Cox announces integration of OTT platforms—Tubi was another recent addition—after Comcast introduces them to X1. And an X1 integration is said to be on the way, but Comcast hasn’t announced it yet.

Related: Cox Integrates YouTube Kids, NPR One Into Contour TV

“This is one more important step in our mission to entertain the planet,” said Tom Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Pluto TV, in a statement. “The launch of Pluto TV on Contour and Contour Stream Player will provide Cox customers with endless enjoyment of our curated, lean-back streaming offering."

Perhaps the most surprising comment during an active week of first-quarter earnings reports came from Charter Communications Chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge, who revealed that his cable company has had discussions—seemingly recent—about licensing X1 from Comcast.

“We've had discussions with [Comcast] about licensing their X1 platform and their new IP video platform," Rutledge said during Charter’s Q1 earnings call, responding to the very last investment analyst question. "And if we can make that the best platform for us, we'd certainly be willing to do that, and we think they'd be a great provider."

Related: Charter’s Rutledge: 'We’ve Had Discussions' With Comcast About Licensing X1

Comcast, of course, licenses its X1 advanced video delivery platform to the No. 3 cable company in the U.S., Cox Communications, as well as all three major cable operators in Canada, Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron.

But Charter is years and hundreds of millions of dollars down the line, developing and deploying its own Spectrum Guide cloud-based video system. This initiative not only includes the $135 million joint purchase of the key technology vendor for that platform’s UI, ActiveVideo, but also development of the WorldBox QAM/IP hybrid set-top platform, jointly cooked with Cisco.

So recent were these talks?

Rutledge’s mention of an “IP video platform” seems to be a reference to Comcast’s just announced Xfinity Flex service, which provides some indicator.

Speaking to numerous unnamed sources, Light Reading reported that members of Charter’s video team had visited Comcast’s home town of Philadelphia within the last several weeks.

Would Charter actually consider switching to X1 syndication?

According to Light Reading, these talks between Comcast and Charter have gone on for years.

It doesn’t appear as though X1 has a marked churn-reducing advantage over Spectrum Guide, with Comcast shedding 371,000 video customers in 2018 vs. Charter’s 244,000.

And Rutledge seemed to stop the speculation right where it started, noting, “We like having our own UI, and we like having the ability to change that UI at the pace we want to change it and have it reflect our marketing strategy.

“If we could check all the boxes in terms of flexibility and low cost, we could be a vendor of Comcast and their platform,” he added. “But to date, we haven’t been able to do that.”

Charter Communications Chairman and CEO Tom Rutledge said during today’s first quarter earnings call that his company has had talks with Comcast about licensing the X1 video platform, as well as the new related streaming video product, Xfinity Flex.

“If we can make that the best platform for us, we’re certainly willing to do that,” Rutledge told investment analysts, after being asked about the possibility of becoming a white-label licensor of X1 at the end fo the earnings call.

Rutledge didn’t say how recent the discussions were. And he expressed fondness for Charter’s current video technology.

RELATED: Rutledge: Video’s Still Important

“We like having our own UI, and we like having the ability to change that UI at the pace we want to change it and have it reflect our marketing strategy,” Rutledge said.

“If we could check all the boxes in terms of flexibility and low cost, we could be a vendor of Comcast and their platform,” he added. “But to date, we haven’t been able to do that.”

Comcast licenses X1 to Cox Communications in the U.S., as well as Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron in Canada.

The fact that Charter would even consider licensing X1 is noteworthy, considering it has put so much time and money developing its own cloud-based video platform.

In 2015, for example, Charter teamed with Arris to pay $135 million to buy Active Video, the company that provides the backbone to its Spectrum Guide video system. 

Digital video company Jukin Media said its three major programming brands have been integrated into Comcast’s X1 video platform as native linear channels.

Jukin’s major brands include FailArmy, The Pet Collective and People Are Awesome. The Los Angeles-based start-up licenses user-generated content and programs it around these tentpoles, distributing through the Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo, Pluto TV and Twitch. Jukin’s app is also available on iOS and Android mobile devices, as well as Amazon Fire TV OTT devices.

The company recently started licensing content from pro producers, including Shout Factory and Nitro Circus.

Jukin said its content receives 200 million minutes of viewing each month.

As for Comcast, Jukin is only the latest integration of a digital brand into the X1 portfolio—a process started several years ago with Netflix, and now working its way on down. The integration also includes Comcast’s recently launched Flex streaming service.

“Over the past year we have worked to extend our brand presence beyond social platforms to pay-TV providers and today we are incredibly excited to offer millions access to more great content from our brands direct to television on the X1 platform,” said Cameron Saless, holder of the conspicuous “chief growth officer” title at Jukin, in a statement. “Comcast has always pioneered new ways to help its digital-first content partners like Jukin make their content available to customers right alongside the live, on demand, DVR and other web programming already included in their Xfinity TV subscription.”

Notably, the Comcast PR staff sat out this announcement. 

Cox Communications has announced that free-to-consumer, ad-supported streaming service Tubi is now available on its Contour video platform.

Contour, of course, is the licensed version of Comcast’s X1 video platform, which debuted Tubi as a native, voice-controlled service back in November.

With the deal, Tubi now has native integration with two of the three biggest U.S. cable operators—a unique position among AVOD companies.

Related: Comcast Integrates Tubi Into X1

“Our partnership with Cox expands upon our mission to make entertainment accessible to everyone,” said Farhad Massoudi, CEO of Tubi, in a statement. “With the addition of Cox Contour, Tubi will continue to have the widest distribution of any ad-supported streaming service.”

Start-up Tubi boasts a library of 12,000 movies and TV shows—a collection it’s currently trying to bolster with the recent securing of a $25 million loan back in January.

The AVOD has also had recent M&A talks with companies including Viacom. With rival streaming platform Pluto TV subsequently purchased by Viacom for $340 million, Tubi has used its resources to build its library and stay in the news.

Recent deals have included archival series pickups from NBCUniversal, as well as Warner Bros. TV.

Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson doubled down on the company’s stance to make broadband its flagship product, telling an audience at an industry conference that the video market will be “tough” going forward.

Comcast, like other operators, has said that connectivity has quickly evolved into its central product. As far back as its Q3 2017 earnings conference call with analysts, chairman and CEO Brian Roberts called broadband the “epicenter” of its cable business. 

At the Deutsche Bank Media, Internet and Telecom conference in Palm Beach, Fla., Tuesday, Watson continued on that tack, telling the audience that Comcast won’t chase unprofitable video subscribers.

Watson said video service is currently profitable for Comcast, adding that it also serves as a complement to its more profitable broadband offerings.

“For the right segments, video becomes a great complement to broadband. Broadband is the foundation of which we start the relationship,” Watson said. “Video can be a great supporting part of that package.”

But Watson said Comcast is cognizant of the shift in viewing habits toward streaming video. While Comcast’s X1 operating system is more than holding its own, the company is aware that some consumers are migrating towards over-the-top providers.

“I think the video marketplace is going to be tough,” Watson said, adding that Comcast will be ready for any unique video opportunities that arise. “But I don’t see the video marketplace changing. And again it’s because of the sheer amount of virtual over-the-top providers as well as the amount of choice. ...We’ll pick and choose the segments, primarily focused on broadband. But I think the video marketplace will continue to be a tough one for at least the near term.”

Watson added that Comcast, which has already struck integration deals for its X1 platform with Netflix, YouTube and Amazon, could expand on that relationship with other providers.

“There’s a new niche video direct-to-the-consumer product introduced every other month,” Watson said. “There’s more choice than ever for consumers to piece together whatever they want. We’re positioned on one hand -- X1 could be that platform. If I’m a direct-to-consumer video provider, I’d want to be on X1. We’ll think about those applications over time. At the same time, because of consumer choice, because of all this competition, we’re just not going to chase video. [We’ll] stay very centered on broadband, we’ll package video where it makes sense and do that profitably.” 

A federal judge in Florida has refused to dismiss an OTT company’s complaint that Comcast’s X1 video service infringes on a patent covering interactive programming guides.

Fort Myers, Florida-based WhereverTV Broadcasting Corp. filed suit against Comcast in August, alleging violation of U.S. Patent No. 8656431, titled “Global Interactive Application and Device.” Legal news site Law 360 reported the court’s decision this week not to toss the case.

The case, which is still in the early innings, will now move onto the discovery phase. 

“We disagree with, but respect, the court’s ruling," a Comcast rep told MCN. "It has no impact on our ability to continue offering our innovative X1 platform and streaming services to our customers, and we look forward to winning the case on the merits.”

WhereverTV is a virtual MVPD operator offering live-streamed bundles of second-tier programming networks, starting at $14.99 for a month-to-month plan.

In its lawsuit, WhereverTV accuses Comcast and a trio of subsidiary corporations of infringing on patent ‘431 through the interactive program guide in the X1 video operating system. Specifically, the suit says features that allow the X1 program guide to be controlled via multiple devices including televisions, computers or smartphones violate the patent.

Notably, WhereverTV filed its complaint in the Middle District of Florida, a court reputed to be particularly friendly to IP litigators.

“The district is highly ranked in some very important categories for plaintiffs who want to get a trial resolution as soon as possible as well as a high success rate,” said Stephen Leahu, an attorney at Brinks Gilson & Lione, told IPWatchDog last summer when the suit was filed.

Comcast is also engaged in a much broader battle with TiVo, which covers a range of X1 features and technologies, and spans multiple legal jurisdictions.

Comcast has integrated YouTube’s 4K catalog into its X1 video platform.

X1 users can now speak into their voice remotes to access the add-supported platform’s collection of movies, nature videos and video game trailers in 4K resolution. Comcast previously integrated 4K content from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video into X1.

Related: Comcast Set to Launch Amazon Prime on X1 Next Week

To access YouTube’s 4K content, Comcast subscribers need compatible X1 CPE and a 4K-capable television.

Comcast’s announcement comes on the heels of its integration of Amazon Prime Video—along with its associated 4K catalog—earlier this month.

Comcast first integrated YouTube into its X1 portfolio of services in September 2017. The cable operator says “YouTube” is among the most popular commands for its voice remote. 

Comcast said the integration of Amazon Prime into its X1 platform, announced over the summer, has been deployed.

When the integration is completely rolled out next week, all X1 users will be able to search and navigate the subscription streaming service natively through X1 using their voice remote.

Comcast has already integrated a number of popular streaming platforms into X1, including Netflix, YouTube and Tubi.

Related: Comcast Integrates Tubi Into X1

“Prime Video is a fantastic extension of the programming choices available to our customers. By integrating hundreds of thousands of live and on demand choices from the best networks, studios and streaming services, our customers can instantly search, control and watch all of their entertainment in one place with their voice,” said Matt Strauss, executive VP of Xfinity Services for Comcast Cable, in a statement.

The debut of Amazon Prime Video on Comcast roughly coincides with the season two launch of popular Amazon original series The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, which starts streaming Wednesday.

Other popular Amazon Prime originals include Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Man in the High Castle and The Grand Tour. 

Ad-supported video on demand platform Tubi has become the latest video streaming service to be integrated into Comcast’s X1 video platform.

Tubi offers more than 8,500 movie titles from more than 200 content partners, including Lionsgatge, MGM, Paramount and Starz.

X1 users can now launch the Tube app directly on X1 and search and access the entire AVOD platform’s library by saying “Tubi” into their X1 Voice Remote. They can also search for the app in the X1 apps section. Soon, Comcast said, X1 customers will also be able to browse and search the entire Tubi programming library—spanning genres including anime, classics, comedy, drama, family, horror, niche titles and more—within Xfinity On Demand.

Related: Tegna Makes Strategic Investment in Tubi TV

Starting with the integration of Netflix and YouTube early last year, Tubi is only the latest OTT platform to become integrated into X1 to the level of voice search, as the cable operator seeks to become what it says is the “aggregator of aggregators.”

Speaking at NAB New York last month, Chris Reynolds, executive director of technology and product for Comcast Cable, said the operator expects to have around 30 streaming apps integrated into its pay TV platform by the end of the year, per Fierce Video. Longer term, Comcast would like to have around 100 OTT apps available to X1 Voice Remote users and be on par with Roku in terms of consumer choice.

“This partnership with Comcast enables us to reach millions of TV and movie fans looking to easily access thousands of premium titles directly on the TV. We think X1 customers are going to truly enjoy this new service,” said Farhad Massoudi, Founder and CEO of Tubi, in a statement. 

Cox Communications has integrated YouTube Kids and NPR One into Contour TV, the white label version of Comcast’s X1 video platform.

Comcast had already integrated these apps into its flagship X1 product. Contour already offers Netflix, YouTube and iHeart Radio apps, allowing subscribers to access these services without toggling HDMI inputs.

“Now, with YouTube Kids and NPR One, Contour brings even more age-appropriate content to the TV screen for younger members of the family, and the informative, quality audio programming of NPR One for those who want to stay abreast of current events —particularly as election day gets close,” read a Cox advertisement that ran Thursday in a number of the operator’s markets.

Related: Cox: 1M Subs Now on X1-Powered ‘Contour’ TV Product

The programming is available in the “apps” section of the Contour guide.

Privately held Cox doesn’t often release figures on the number of Contour users, although it did say a year ago that it had 1 million subscribers on the platform. Estimates peg the Atlanta-based operator’s total video base to be around 4.065 million.

Canada’s Shaw Communications, Rogers Communications and Videotron also license X1 from Comcast. 

Comcast and Tickemaster have reached an agreement to allow the cable company’s Xfinity X1 customers to access tour dates and request concert tickets for their favorite performers directly through their television sets using Ticketmaster’s open ticketing platform, with the first event being three-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson and her 2019 “Meaning of Life” Tour.

Beginning today, Sept. 18, customers can simply say “Kelly Clarkson Tour” into their Voice Remote to take advantage of a special presale window and see a list of Clarkson’s local performance dates and venues right on the TV.

“The Meaning of Life Tour will be unlike anything I’ve done before,” Clarkson said in a statement. “I am thrilled to partner with Xfinity to offer my fans a new, easy way to find tickets right on the TV and join me on tour,” said Clarkson.

Speaking “Kelly Clarkson Tour” into the X1 Voice Remote brings fans to a dedicated Kelly Clarkson destination. There X1 customers will see a Get Tickets promotional tile that enables them to review a list of performances and corresponding dates at nearby venues, powered by Ticketmaster’s open platform and API, and initiate the online ticket-buying process. Customers can then opt to receive a text message featuring a unique code that will enable them to complete the purchase online.

“Our team is always thinking of new ways to reach more fans by extending Ticketmaster’s open platform,” said Ticketmaster senior vice president & general manager, distributed commerce Dan Armstrong in a statement. “This partnership with Comcast is a groundbreaking way to discover events and buy tickets. We’re excited to launch with Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning of Life Tour and look forward to expanding this functionality to even more of the best live events soon.”

In addition, Xfinity X1 customers will be able to stream Clarkson’s music via Pandora, watch her music video appearances on NBC’s The Voice, clips f rom previous tours and access her web series, A Minute and a Glass of Wine, and more.

“Fans can now go to Kelly Clarkson’s dedicated destination on X1 to enjoy her music and shop for tickets to her much-anticipated tour right on the TV via this seamless integration with Ticketmaster,” said Comcast Cable vice president strategy & execution Nancy Spears in a statement. “X1 enables us to unveil new and innovative experiences that complement and elevate content across the platform and to add more value for customers by giving them more ways to interact with the events, entertainment, performers and brands they love.”

From Sept. 18-23, all Xfinity customers can enjoy access to a special presale window and also purchase their tickets via xfinity.com. Ticketmaster and X1 will continue to provide localized ticket information throughout the general admission sale starting Sept. 24.

Clarkson’s “Meaning of Life” tour will kick off Jan. 24th in Oakland, Calif. The 28-city tour is her first headline run in three years and she will be joined by special guests Grammy-nominee Kelsea Ballerini and last season’s winner of NBC’s The Voice, Team Kelly’s Brynn Cartelli.

Comcast and Ticketmaster will extend this ticketing capability to additional concerts and events on X1. This interactive integration with Ticketmaster follows a recent partnership with Comcast and Fandango enabling customers with X1 to browse local show times and theaters for some of the year’s most popular theatrical releases on their television. 

Comcast said it has reached an agreement with ESPN to launch ESPN3, ACC Network Extra and SEC Network + on its Xfinity X1 platform, giving sports fans the ability to stream more than 150 live games, and 5,000 live events annually to their TVs.

The new agreement gives fans the ability to stream college sports like football, basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball and field hockey, as well as international soccer, Grand Slam tennis matches and more.

“Simplicity continues to be essential in today’s dynamic media landscape,” said Disney and ESPN Media Networks SVP, affiliate sales Sean Breen in a statement. “We’re fortunate to have relationships with Comcast to seamlessly serve customers and sports fans on a platform that delivers the best of both traditional and digital video viewing experiences, and the addition of ESPN3, ACC Network Extra and SEC Network + are perfect examples of that.”

All content from the three networks will be searchable with Comcast’s X1 voice remote and integrated into the same screens and menus as the other sports programming that comes with a customer’s Xfinity TV subscription.

“From football and soccer to volleyball and field hockey, this launch gives college sports fans incredible access to live events from schools including Florida State, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh in the ACC, Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M in the SEC, and dozens more from across the entire country on ESPN3,” said Comcast Cable executive director, TV Everywhere content and product strategy Vito Forlenza in a statement. “ESPN3, ACC Network Extra and SEC Network + add a new dynamic to the already deep catalog of sports programming that’s currently available on X1. Combined with universal voice control and the X1 sports app, we are providing customers with the richest, most immersive sports viewing experience in the country.”

In addition, the integration will allow consumers to:

Access the Xfinity Sky Cam’s live game feeds providing exclusive angles and commentary;

Access a specific team summary, including its current record and conference standing, and see a list of upcoming games airing across any network, simply by speaking the team name into the voice remote;

Get real-time updates and data using the platform’s sports companion app for more than a dozen conferences while watching the networks’ live online coverage on X1;

ESPN3, ACC Network Extra and SEC Network + are available on all eligible X1 set top boxes with Xfinity TV and Internet service today (Sept. 5).

After announcing its deployment on Comcast’s X1 in January, streaming news programmer Cheddar has launched its full integration into the advanced video platform.

In what Cheddar is calling “version 2.0” of the news service on X1, viewers will now be able to access the Cheddar live feed by simply saying “Cheddar” into the their voice remotes.

And within X1’s on-demand ecosystem, users will have access to the full range of Cheddar on-demand content.

Related: Cheddar Streams Onto Comcast's X1 Set-Tops

“Since Cheddar isn’t on the linear program guide, so it’s more of Netflix kind of integration,” said Daniel Schneider, VP of business development for Cheddar. “But this was always the vision. We wanted to launch [on X1] first. Then we iterated.”

Comcast ended the second quarter with north of 22.1 million video subscribers, more than 60% of them using X1, so full actualization of Cheddar’s wares is a key step for the start-up news service.

As of now, Cheddar has distribution deals with all of the top virtual MVPDs, as well as the Roku Channel and Pluto TV. But having only very recently signed deals with linear operators such as WOW and the National Cable Television Cooperatie (NCTC), the Comcast deal represents Cheddar’s biggest infiltration into the traditional pay TV ecosystem to date.

“We want to be everywhere,” Schneider said. “That’s the strategy we’re pursuing.” 

Comcast customers will be able to access Amazon Prime Video through their Xfinity service later this year, according to an agreement that puts the SVOD service on the X1 platform.

Comcast claims this is the first time Amazon Prime Video has been integrated on an MVPD platform. The cable operator has previously done deals to integrate Netflix into X1.

“Amazon Prime Video’s growing list of originals, movies, shows, documentaries, and kids’ programming will be an excellent complement to the overall X1 viewing experience,” said Comcast consumer services president Dana Strong in a statement. “We want to give customers easy access to all their favorite content in one place. X1 continues to be a platform that can curate live TV, On Demand movies and shows, and streaming internet video and music titles into one, easy-to-use, seamless experience.”

Related: Amazon Eyes Access to Cable Box 

Xfinity TV customers will be able to enjoy exclusive and award-winning Prime Originals like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Goliath, as well as live events and TV, titles available to rent or buy, or to watch with a Prime Video Channels subscription. Customers can search Prime Video content using Comcast’s award-winning X1 Voice Remote, as well as enjoy shows and movies available in 4K Ultra HD and HDR.

“Prime Video is dedicated to making your favorite shows and movies effortless to watch,” Amazon Prome Video VP Greg Hart said in a statement. “The addition of the Prime Video app to X1 will make navigating between Prime Video and live TV easier than ever. We are excited for our Prime members to seamlessly find the shows and movies they love.”

Once Amazon Prime Video is launched on X1, customers will be able to:

§ Find Prime Originals like Goliath and Sneaky Pete right alongside titles like BBC’s Killing Eve, NBC’s Shades of Blue and Showtime’s The Affair when searching for “crime dramas.”

§ Access Prime Video’s library of 4K HDR content with a compatible X1 set-top box.

§ Catch up on current hits like Mr. Robot and American Horror Story with all prior seasons from Prime Video.

§ Watch recent hits like Suits, The Americans, Downton Abbey, and The Good Wife or complete seasons of classics like Friday Night Lights and Dawson’s Creek – all available on Prime Video.

§ Access titles for rental or purchase and add on a selection of over 160 Prime Video Channels, including Showtime and STARZ.

§ Launch Prime Video content, by saying “Amazon Prime Video” into the X1 Voice Remote, or by opening it directly from the X1 apps menu.

The Amazon Prime Video app is expected to launch on X1 later this year. The Emmy-award winning X1 platform is now in a majority of Xfinity customers’ homes.

"For communications companies that already have a firm stake in the home through traditional offerings such as video, broadband and voice, an unprecedented opportunity is up for grabs. As the connected home market quickly expands, blazing the trail in the emerging landscape will become increasingly non-negotiable to incumbents’ future growth and survival." —Shuvankar Roy, Comcast; and Sumit Banerjee and Abhinav Saksena, Accenture Strategy

Over the past decade, connected technologies have evolved from an abstract idea into something woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Whether it’s switching off a forgotten light with your smartphone or jumpstarting your home’s smart entertainment systems via a simple request to Alexa, connected devices enabled via technologies such as artificial intelligence are reshaping consumer experiences as we know them. 

They’re also redefining the word ‘convenience.’ A recent Accenture Strategy study found that 56% of executives predict AI deployment will drive new growth and revenue opportunities. And nearly 6% say this revenue growth will come from increased consumer satisfaction and engagement.

Nowhere are these opportunities more apparent than in the connected home where, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Americans spend more than half of their daily time. Today, products that once seemed futuristic are now common household items. There has been a 60% growth in smart speakers, while smart home products have increased by 41%. The future will see a collection of deeply integrated micro-ecosystems that will make the home intelligent, personalized and seamless.

For communications companies that already have a firm stake in the home through traditional offerings such as video, broadband and voice, an unprecedented opportunity is up for grabs. As the connected home market quickly expands, blazing the trail in the emerging landscape will become increasingly non-negotiable to incumbents’ future growth and survival.

Preparing for the Fight

In the fight to own the home, communications companies face an increasingly crowded and complex path ahead. Competition is fast expanding past traditional players to include Silicon Valley giants and other players looking for the next platform to reach consumers. 

A wave of recent M&A activity — such as Amazon’s acquisition of Ring — underscores that both traditional and new entrants are recognizing the major value of the connected home market, and acting accordingly. In fact, Accenture Strategy research finds that 43% of companies cited the need for next-gen technology as a trigger for their M&A as they race to win over consumers with top-of-market digital offerings.

As communications companies face multiple headwinds, including shifting customer presences and cost pressures, they must rise to the challenge and best position themselves in the fight to win. By facing barriers head-on, embracing new business models, and looking outside the four walls of their organization, communications players have a major opportunity to become the dominant and holistic service providers in consumer homes.

Confronting Challenges

To start, communications companies should recognize where they have advantages to seize — for instance, familiarity among consumers in the home space, and an existing suite of home services — and where vulnerabilities remain. For one, the connected home market differs significantly from communication providers’ core products. 

Many successful connected home products, such as Alexa and Nest Thermostat, are purchased through one-time sale — contrasting with the recurring subscription model typical of communications companies. This means communications companies will need to rethink their pricing models to reap the most benefit, while also finding ways to reduce cost-of-entry for consumers.

Another challenge facing incumbents is navigating a market built around product design and experience — features that haven’t been historically paramount to traditional communications providers’ offerings. To compete with companies such as Google and Amazon, who put product design at the core of their DNA, traditional companies need to accelerate investment in best-class product design and manufacturing, as well as transition culture and ways of working. Some companies are already making this shift in their business models — among them, Comcast, which is helping transform the video product experience with the release of X1.

In today’s day and age, companies also need to remember that they don’t always need to go it alone. In fact, doing so may prove to be a disadvantage. Instead, communications providers need to decipher how and where they want to participate in the connected home ecosystem, so they are best able to bolster traditional portfolios, bring differentiated offerings to market and reach new segments of consumers. 

Accenture Strategy research has found that nearly half (44%) of executives across industries agree the value of ecosystems lays in access to new customers. As lines blur between industries, there are also new opportunities to partner with “frenemy” companies to create new integrated experiences and put down a lasting stake in the connected home experience.

The Path to the Finish Line

In an increasingly complex and crowded industry, there are several steps communications companies can take to stay ahead of the curve and own a connected home market share:

• Form an Integrated Strategy: Evaluate new opportunities in the context of traditional products and services, with an eye toward creating integrated service offerings that allow you to both dominate the old and win in the new. Create a refreshed home services aggregation strategy that defines a path forward for both defending core services and expanding to new revenue streams through digital offerings. Create new, holistic business and pricing models that give consumers a more seamless exchange on everything from user experience, service, billing and beyond.
• Shift Focus to Design and Experience: Refocus priorities to place design and experience at the forefront of service offerings, which is necessary for keeping up with Silicon Valley rivals and emerging players.
• Redefine your Role in the Broader Home Ecosystem: Ask yourself: what role should your company play in the broader — and rapidly expanding — connected home ecosystem? What gaps remain in your company’s capabilities, and where can a digitally savvy partner create a distinct advantage? Think outside your four walls to embrace non-traditional partners, including longtime rivals, to create differentiated product offerings, expand market share and provide best-in-class experiences to consumers.
• Embrace Data: Create an analytics strategy to power the home business. Ecosystems will soon evolve from value chain partnerships, in which each entity has a specific function, to information exchanges that drive new opportunities to leverage and monetize data. Through investments in analytics combined with strategic partnerships, companies can access rich data insights that enable them to better service customers and ultimately drive growth.

As connected devices become more ingrained into consumers’ everyday lives, the connected home space has grown to be a major market opportunity, creating a fierce battleground between traditional and emerging companies alike. If incumbent communications players develop bold visions, rethink long-held business models and make strategic bets today, they can find themselves victors in the connected home race of the future.

Shuvankar Roy is vice president of business operations at Comcast; Sumit Banerjee is managing director at Accenture Strategy; and Abhinav Saksena is a former managing director at Accenture Strategy.