Comcast may be in the running to compete with the likes of YouTube and DirecTV Now by offering its own similar TV streaming service. The company recently had acquired the rights to offer a nationwide service from several cable networks with its contract clauses indicating “most favoured nation”.
It will primarily be a means to offer its services to regions in the States where it does not serve such as New York and LA, as mentioned in a report by Engadget. Upon receiving the aforementioned rights, the company will plan to use it as a trump card, should the competition take the similar route, although there isn’t any other reason as to why Comcast should not use it even now, considering the cut-throat business that the video-streaming industry consists of nowadays.
While Comcast will be able now sell its video service outside regional territories for the first time, this also means that it will be on the same plain that other competitors will offer their own services. How well Comcast can differentiate themselves with other streaming services will depend on the content, the marketing and the pricing, not to mention customer service. The company is also not keen on bringing out these services any time in the near future as its analysts claim that OTT video-offering services are not a priority, as told to The Salt Lake Tribune.
The EVP of video services for Comcast had made a statement back in November saying that there has not been a suitable business model that they have come across that benefits the company in the long run. Comcast’s entire revenue in cable contributes to 62 percent of the company’s revenue model, according to Bloomberg statistics.
Based on a report by TVSpy, Comcast’s journey into previously unchartered territory where it has not set foot before could spell for lucrative opportunities. Considering how fast the streaming world is evolving, Comcast will probably have to release its new streaming feature sooner than they would eventually plan to; but the company is already taking strides, offering its app on Roku systems. There is also a plan to release a skinny bundle to subscribers later on this year with limited channels wherever it is reachable.
Comcast is not America’s favourite brand currently, but it is still one of the biggest media streaming outlets in the nation. The company has its work out for itself, especially on the customer satisfaction front and unique content front.