Comcast says X1 video platform could show up on less expensive hardware
By Ben Munson, FierceVideo - March 12, 2019
https://www.fiercevideo.com/cable/comcast-says-x1-video-platform-could-show-up-less-expensive-hardwarequote:Comcast’s X1 video platform today is typically associated with the cable provider’s premium and pricey cable bundles and high-end customer premises equipment. But Comcast may be looking at ways to expand X1 to other devices.
Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson, speaking today at a Deutsche Bank investor conference, said X1 is extendable and called it a platform that can go “deeper into other profitable segments.”
“We’ll look for ways to extend X1 into more broadband-focused segments over time,” Watson said. That means the X1 platform experience could be run on less expensive hardware solutions that may have an easier time reaching other video segments.
Watson also wanted to make it clear that the entire video category is very competitive in a couple of different ways. But he said that X1 is positioned well in the market as a platform for aggregating a lot of disparate video services.
“If I’m a direct-to-consumer video provider, I’d want to be on X1,” said Watson. “We’ll think about those applications over time. But at the same time, because of all this consumer choice, we’re just not going to chase video. We’ll stay very centered on broadband, package video where it makes sense and do that properly.”
When asked about trends in video net adds in the near-term, Watson didn’t give specific guidance but did warn that the video marketplace will remain tough and competitive.
“We’re simply not going to chase unprofitable video segments,” Watson said. …
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