Comcast Streams Video To iPhone
MSO Provides Almost 6,000 Hours of On-Demand Content From 25 Programmers Through Apps
By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/23/2011 3:36:22 PM
Comcast released a version of its Xfinity TV app for Apple iPhone and iPod touch devices, and has boosted video-on-demand content available through its apps to almost 6,000 hours with the addition of several new programming partners.
Since Comcast debuted video streaming to the iPad in February, the company has nearly doubled the amount of programming and has expanded to 25 content partners.
Comcast said the Xfinity TV app has been downloaded more than 2 million times since it launched the iPad version in November 2010. The MSO also offers a version for Android devices.
In addition to streaming on-demand video, the Xfinity TV app lets users browse and discover content across multiple platforms -- online or on TV -- change TV channels in real time, and remotely program and manage multiple DVRs at home.
Comcast is using Microsoft's PlayReady digital rights management and IIS Smooth Streaming technology with thePlatform's mpx video management system to deliver the video.
"Our development team will continue to add even more choices and personalized options to the Xfinity TV app, giving our customers access to the entertainment they want, where and when they want it," Comcast Interactive Media senior vice president and general manager Matt Strauss said in a statement.
The version of the apps for Apple devices provide streaming over a Wi-Fi connection.
Comcast expects to add access to live TV through the apps later this year. For example, the MSO obtained rights in a deal with Turner Broadcasting System to distribute live feeds of CNN and other Turner networks on an authenticated basis over the Internet.
The 25 networks that have deals to offer on-demand content through the Xfinity TV apps are: Activity TV, Adult Swim, Baby Boost, BBC America, Cartoon Network, CBeebies, Cinemax, CNN, Encore, Hallmark Channel, HBO, HLN, Get Up and Dance, IFC, MoviePlex, NBC, Ovation TV, Shoah Foundation, Showtime Networks, Starz Entertainment, Sundance Channel, TBS, TCM, TNT and TruTV.
However, while NBC is listed as a programming partner, currently the apps do not offer any of the network's full-length episodes -- only video clips, according to a Comcast spokesman. Comcast completed the $30 billion deal to gain controlling interest in NBC Universal in January.
Movies currently available through the Xfinity TV apps include The Hurt Locker, Get Him to the Greek, Salt, Toy Story 3, Caddyshack, Stripes, Prince of Tides, The Natural and Charlie's Angels.
On the premium programming side, the HBO Go service include every episode of every season from The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Entourage, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire and True Blood. Current Showtime series available to subscribers include The Borgias, Nurse Jackie, and The United States of Tara.
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