ITV

Tag: Xfinity TV

  • Comcast in distribution pact with Fox Networks

    Comcast in distribution pact with Fox Networks

    MUMBAI: Comcast Corporation and Fox Networks (FN) have reached an agreement for a new distribution pact to deliver Fox Broadcasting’s (Fox) and Fox Television Stations’ (FTS) wide array of entertainment, sports and local news content to Comcast Xfinity TV customers across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and internet-enabled televisions.

    The renewal supports the companies’ mutual goal to deliver the most popular video content to customers across multiple platforms.

    The agreement provides video service to nearly 22 million Xfinity TV customers of both live and on demand programming from 20 FTS broadcast stations (13 Fox and 7 MyNet) as well as FX, FX Movie Channel, SPEED, Fuel TV, Fox Soccer, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, MundoFox, Fox Deportes, and Fox Business Network.

    Financial terms were not disclosed. However, the agreement also includes a framework for both companies to continue to collaborate on new multiplatform offerings so that the companies can take advantage of new technologies and programming through the life of the deal, including Comcast’s advanced advertising and ad systems integration services.

    There are also longer-term plans to make available next-day full episode streaming of select Fox programming online to authenticated Xfinity TV customers for viewing whenever and however they wish to access them.

    In addition to live and on demand streaming, authenticated Xfinity TV customers will soon be able to access long-form, full episodes on Fox Now – a suite of TV apps across multiple digital platforms that are designed to provide Fox viewers with enhanced interactive and social capabilities around their favorite Fox shows.

    “This unprecedented TV Everywhere agreement enables us to take advantage of the innovative technologies and platforms we’ve developed to deliver the best content to our customers,” said Greg Rigdon, EVP, Content Acquisition for Comcast Cable. “Together with Fox, thanks to the leadership of Peter Rice, Mike Hopkins and his team, for the first time we are unlocking the value of some of Fox’s best content by making it available to Xfinity TV customers through new applications and devices.”

    Added Fox Networks President Distribution Mike Hopkins, “Neil Smit, Greg Rigdon and their team are on the cutting edge of the burgeoning ‘TV Everywhere’ space and were great partners throughout this process. This agreement will bring Fox’s brands and content to Xfinity TV customers on all platforms and we are excited to begin this journey with Comcast.”

  • A+E Networks launches video watch apps

    A+E Networks launches video watch apps

    MUMBAI: US infotainment media company A+E Networks has launched the company‘s first ever video watch apps for iPad® today.

    A&E, History and Lifetime network apps are available for free from the App Store.

    The apps enable users to watch full episodes, full movies and exclusive clips of their favorite A+E Networks programming, including current and previous seasons of ‘Storage Wars‘ and ‘Duck Dynasty‘ on A&E; ‘Pawn Stars‘ and ‘Swamp People‘ on History and ‘Dance Moms‘ and ‘Project Runway‘ on Lifetime.

    Users who sign in to verify Xfinity TV from Comcast as their video provider will have access to even more content, including full previous seasons of some of their favourite series. The app will support additional distributors in early 2013.

    A+E Networks executive VP of digital media, business development Dan Suratt said, "By offering the A&E, History and Lifetime watch apps, we are giving fans of our networks an opportunity to consume our leading libraries of original quality content wherever and whenever they want it".

    A+E Networks president of distribution David Zagin said, "With our new apps, A+E Networks will be on the forefront of supporting the industry‘s efforts toward TV Everywhere. We are looking forward to partnering with our distributors in the future to bring their customers more of our great programming."

    Comcast Cable senior VP, digital and emerging platforms Matt Strauss said, "In partnering with A+E Networks, Comcast continues to build on its industry-leading TV Everywhere offerings, and yet again positions Xfinity TV customers at the forefront to access great programming on multiple devices. We‘re pleased to be the first provider to offer our customers A+E Networks‘ compelling content on its app, and also online at Xfinity.com/TV."

    The apps, powered by Bottle Rocket feature a video offering. The watchlist in the app offers "Continue Watching" and "Queue" functionality for a seamless viewing experience between visits. Users who start watching a video and have to step away will see all videos in progress in the "Continue Watching" section of the watchlist. If they add a series to their "Queue" in the watchlist, all new full episodes for their favorite series automatically appear as they are published to the app.

    iPhone and iPod touch versions of all three apps will launch in January 2013 and an Android version is expected to be out some time in the first quarter. The A&E, HISTORY and Lifetime apps are available for free from the App Store on iPad® or at www.itunes.com/appstore.