Las Vegas – International CES -- Samsung Electronics announced that Comcast, Netflix, DirecTV, M-GO and Amazon will be among the initial partners that will deliver a package of Ultra HD content to its new line of 4K TVs.
Comcast announced Monday that it has teamed with Samsung to deliver 4K content to 2014 Samsung UHD TVs later this year via an Xfinity TV 4K app that will be integrated with the set and allow users to stream, via the Internet, a menu of 4K movies and TV shows on-demand. Comcast said it also working with programmers, including NBCUniversal, to provide a library of 4K choices for the Xfinity TV 4K app.
“At Comcast, we continue to look for innovative ways to offer our subscribers the most high-quality choices. We will continue to push the boundaries of high-definition technology to deliver the best possible experience to our viewers; 4K UHD is no different,” said Matt Strauss, SVP and GM of video services for Comcast Cable, in a statement. “This partnership with Samsung is one way our customers can stream shows and movies in 4K UHD, offering subscribers a glimpse of the television viewing experience of the future. Later this year, our new X1 set-top boxes will deliver 4K UHD content to all 4K UHD capable televisions.”
Comcast demonstrated 4K delivered via both IP and QAM at last June’s Cable Show in Washington, D.C.
The 4K partnership continues an ongoing relationship between Comcast and Samsung. Comcast already offers the Xfinity TV app on 2012 Samsung Smart TV models and will “soon” be updated for the 2013 models.
Here at a press event, Samsung said it will offer an Ultra HD Video Pack from those companies, including native 4K content from M-GO and an upcoming 4K service from DirecTV.
Amazon, meanwhile, announced that Amazon Instant Video is working with Samsung, Warner Bros, Lionsgate, 20th Century Fox, Discovery and others to provide a “premium 4K Ultra HD experience.” That follows last month’s announcement that Amazon Studios plans to shoot all 2014 full original series, including comedies and dramas, in 4K format.
“Customers are excited about the future of 4K and the next evolution of high resolution video. We’re working with consumer electronics leaders and Hollywood studios to make that a reality,” said Bill Carr, VP of digital video and music for Amazon, in a statement . “There are a number of elements that need to work together to create a true 4K experience for customers—you need great content and compatible devices but you also need a service that can deliver that content to your devices so that it plays beautifully—we’re excited about making that a reality.”
Netflix, meanwhile, has already announced that it will launch a 4K streaming offering this year that will include season two of original hit series House of Cards.
