Comcast CEO Brian Roberts got a jump on everyone at CES with an announcement on the eve of the 2011 show. It seems that Comcast will be making nearly 3000 hours of VOD content available for streaming on iPADs later this year with enhancements that will include the ability for users to tap into their social networks. In doing so, Comcast is the first cable MSO to truly take the concept of "TV Everywhere" to heart. Until now, MSOs that have launched so called "TV Everywhere" services have made their VOD content available on their branded websites in an effort to thwart other online video providers like Hulu and Netflix that have been chipping away at their subsription revenue by enabling cord cutting (more on that some other time). This move eliminates the inherent limitation of having a "TV Everywhere" product limited to home PCs and laptops and is an effort to shore up their Xfinity digital subscriber base among iPAD users; those who are aguably the early adopters who are the most prone to being cord-cutters.
Although limited to the iPAD device for now, this app is a great start to the "unleashing" or unteathering of TV Everwhere. For now Comcast is working where the content rights allow them, but I expect that a smartphone app is not too far down the road, of course, programmer rights permitting.
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It's awesome that so many TV providers are trying to shape the way that TV everywhere is portrayed. I personally like the way that DISH Network is running their product! I work with DISH and also as a subscriber I have access to the slingbox adapter which gives me the options to watch live TV programs right through my phone. I can even watch recorded events from my DVR. Unlike Comcast, they are only going to give the option to watch live tv on your tablets only if your at home. Kinda doesn't make sense to me, but I'm glad I have my TV everywhere through DISH. :)
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