Comcast’s X1 platform stayed on a roll this week, as the MSO launched the IP-capable video platform across Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, and Vermont, thus completing the deployment in Comcast’s New England region.
In addition to a cloud-based user interface alongside its traditional live TV and on demand services, Comcast is using X1 to deliver apps such as Pandora, weather and sports widgets, and a new “Send to TV” feature that lets customers ship Web content to the X1 box and view it on the big screen.
X2, an upgraded version of the platform that's set for a fall debut, will integrate more personalized elements and set the table for a cloud DVR and in-home live TV streaming to tablets, smartphones and PCs.
The cloud-based approach is also designed to make the platform more agile and enable Comcast to create and deploy apps more rapidly than it has been able to on its legacy QAM-based video platform. Comcast estimates that it has made more than 1,200 updates to X1 since its launch in 2011.
The MSO is initially offering X1 to new triple play customers. Comcast, which lost 60,000 video subscribers in the first quarter, is scheduled to release second quarter results on Wednesday, July 31.
Comcast, which have X1 rolled out across its footprint by year’s end, has already deployed it in several systems serving Maryland; Delaware; Boston; Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Illinois; northwest Indiana; southwest Michigan; Independence, Mo.; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta and Augusta, Ga.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Philadelphia; New Jersey; and California.
