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Comcast launches on-demand service for Towanda-area TV customers Cloud-based X1 operating system now also available [The Daily Review, Towanda, Pa.]
[September 27, 2014]

Comcast launches on-demand service for Towanda-area TV customers Cloud-based X1 operating system now also available [The Daily Review, Towanda, Pa.]


(Daily Review (Towanda, PA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 27--Comcast Corp. recently completed an additional upgrade of its Towanda-area system, which allows cable TV customers to watch movies and shows "on-demand" and also makes available to them the company's "cloud-based interactive television experience," also known as the X1 operating platform, according to a press release from the company.



As a result of the upgrade, the vast majority of cable TV customers on Comcast's Towanda-area system now have Xfinity On Demand, which offers nearly 50,000 on demand choices every month, said Bob Grove, vice-president of public relations for Comcast Cable's Keystone Region. The Towanda-area system includes the boroughs of Towanda and Monroe and townships of Monroe, North Towanda, Towanda, Asylum and Wysox.

The Xfinity On Demand lineup includes tens of thousands of programs, including movies, hit TV shows, music vid­eos, kids' programming, news and educational shows, exercise videos and more, the release said. The vast majority of On Demand programs are available at no additional charge, the press release said. To explore the titles available, customers simply hit the On Demand button on their Xfinity remote control.


The only Comcast customers who don't have Xfinity On Demand are "Limited Basic" customers, which is the company's lowest level of service, Grove said.

"Comcast's industry-leading On Demand service now attracts more than 400 million average monthly views," the press release states. "Moving forward, Comcast will continue to provide customers with the ultimate selection of content across all Xfinity platforms -- on TV, online at Xfinity.com/TV and via the Xfinity TV Go app for tablets and smartphones." X1 Platform "The X1 (operating) Platform is a huge leap forward for us and transforms traditional television viewing into an entirely new entertainment experience," said Jim Samaha, senior vice president of Comcast's Keystone Region. "X1 uses cloud-based technology to make the TV smarter, richer and more personalized, and allows us to deliver new features to our customers faster than ever." According to the press release, new X1 features and capabilities that are now available to customers in the Towanda area include: - Visual, Sleek User Interface: A modern user interface that enables one-click access to programs and a highly visual guide to entertainment options and related information.

- Faster, More Personalized Search and Discovery: A personalized viewing experience with recommendations based on search input and previously watched shows and movies. They also have the ability to search simultaneously across live TV, Xfinity On Demand and DVR recordings -- and see the last nine programs watched across all services with a single tap on the remote control.

- In-Home Convenience: The ability to record up to four shows while watching another and to watch DVR recordings from any room in the house.

- Social Integration and Customized Apps: An expanding selection of tailored-for-TV apps, including traffic, weather, stocks, voicemail, and a sports app to track multiple games at once and check the latest scores and schedules while watching a favorite show. X1 also includes a selection of web-based apps, including Facebook and Pandora.

In addition, the X1 Remote App lets customers use motions and voice commands to control their TVs with their Apple and Android handheld devices. For example, customers can use voice commands to navigate the guide and search for content; and swipe their iPhones to page through the interactive TV guide and program personalized short-cuts and favorites ("Quick Links").

The X1 platform is available throughout Comcast's Towanda-area system, although only Triple Play and certain Double Play customers can use it, Grove said.

"All new Triple Play and most new Double Play customers are eligible to receive X1 as part of their service," Grove said. "Existing video customers upgrading to Triple Play, as well as some existing Double Play customers, are eligible with a $49.99 upgrade fee." As a result of upgrades done earlier this year, Comcast's Towanda-area cable TV system now includes approximately 200 channels, about 80 of which are available in both Standard Definition and High Definition, and 50 music channels, Grove said.

"We also know that consumers are busier than ever and want to take their entertainment on the go and enjoy it on their terms, and with the greatly expanded lineup now available in Towanda, customers can use the Xfinity TV Go App to stream live TV from up to 50 networks such as ESPN and download TV shows and movies from Showtime, Starz, Encore and Movieplex to their mobile device and watch them anywhere," Grove said.

James Loewenstein can be reached at (570) 265-1633; or email: [email protected].

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