AlphaAtlas
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2018
- Messages
- 1,713
Citing "people, who asked not to be named because the internal discussions are private," CNBC reports that Comcast is working on a new product that aggregates multiple streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube together. That may sound like a Roku, Shield, or any number of existing streaming platforms, but apparently, the product isn't a "direct competitor" to devices like that. There's no word on when the device will come to market, or how much it will cost, but one has to appreciate the irony of a Comcast subsidiary breaking a Comcast leak.
The product isn't quite a direct competitor to Roku or Apple TV because it won't allow customers access to hundreds of apps, including streaming TV bundles like AT&T's DirecTV Now or Dish's Sling. Those services are direct competitors to Comcast's video bundle, and Comcast wouldn't be able to push its own video service to its broadband-only customers if it allowed them access to those bundled OTT services. Comcast hasn't decided the exact number of apps that will be accessible through the device, said the people. Rather, Comcast wants the device to be the hub to the connected home, they said. In addition to aggregating streaming apps, the device will also allow customers to control anything that's connected to the Internet, including thermostats and smart-locks. Comcast will be marketing the product to Internet-only customers, said the people.
The product isn't quite a direct competitor to Roku or Apple TV because it won't allow customers access to hundreds of apps, including streaming TV bundles like AT&T's DirecTV Now or Dish's Sling. Those services are direct competitors to Comcast's video bundle, and Comcast wouldn't be able to push its own video service to its broadband-only customers if it allowed them access to those bundled OTT services. Comcast hasn't decided the exact number of apps that will be accessible through the device, said the people. Rather, Comcast wants the device to be the hub to the connected home, they said. In addition to aggregating streaming apps, the device will also allow customers to control anything that's connected to the Internet, including thermostats and smart-locks. Comcast will be marketing the product to Internet-only customers, said the people.