Comcast has partnered with over thirty broadcasters to bring more short form video to their X1 platform. Content available during this beta launch will be focused on news, sports, and finance, like Today Show or clips of the MLB playoffs games.
Comcast is leaving it up to the programmers to innovate how they can use the platform to keep viewers interested. Some of the content providers are: A&E, ABC News, AMC, American Heroes, Animal Planet, BBC America, Big Ten Networks, CNBC, Cooking Channel, Destination America, Discovery, Discovery Life, DIY, E!, ESPN, Esquire Network, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, Fox Sports, FYI, HGTV, History, IFC, Investigation Discovery, Lifetime, LMN, MSNBC, Music Choice, NBC, NBC News, OWN, Science Channel, Sundance TV, TLC, Travel Channel, Velocity and WE TV.
And they seem into it. Mark Garner, senior vice president of business development, analytics and distribution marketing for A+E Networks says in a statement that:
Unique platforms like X1 enable us to explore new outlets for content while providing more viewing options for new and existing audiences. By integrating web videos into the Xfinity On Demand guide, we have the opportunity to showcase creative, companion content alongside our signature series and specials and engage our viewers in new ways.
The content will be available to all X1 users and Comcast says the move is in part tied to Watchable, their attempt to make online video accessible on TV platforms. We’ll see how it works out.