What They Say
A joint venture between Comcast and Charter is intended to help the two US cable companies to better compete with dedicated streamers such as Roku, Google TV and Amazon’s Fire TV.
- Under the deal, Comcast will contribute its XClass smart TV platform as well as its ad-supported streaming service Xumo.
- Comcast will also license Flex, which has basically been its attempt to turn its Xfinity X1 set-top operating system into a streaming hardware and software platform that provides value to people without a cable subscription.
- Charter doesn’t have the same kind of technology so will contribute $900 million over several years.
- Charter will offer Flex-operated devices and associated voice-controlled remotes, beginning in 2023
- XClass TVs will continue to be available at retailers like Walmart, but Comcast and Charter may also sell them directly to their consumers.
US commentators have said that the JV will have a key advantage in being the largest home high-speed broadband connectors in the US – with more than 200 million people using their facilities.
What We Think
It makes sense for Comcast to expand the potential base for its XClass TV platform (also the basis for the Sky Glass TV). Still, the firms are late to the streaming party. (BR)
