Comcast XClass smart TVs officially launch
Comcast officially launched its new XClass line of TVs running a version of its X1 video platform. The TVs are available at Walmart stores and in the coming weeks through Walmart.com. The 4K UHD sets come in 43 and 50-inch models with the 50-inch model listed at an affordable $348. The TVs are being manufactured by Hisense and include a voice remote and support for Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. As a bonus, it comes with 12 free months of Peacock Premium, NBCUniversal’s ad-supported streaming service.
The NPD Take:
- First and foremost, this is about growing the OS base for owned and operated streaming services such as Peacock. Controlling the distribution point keeps more dollars in your pocket.
- Comcast is entering a brave new world with stiff competition in both the TV hardware and software side of the business.
HBO Max reaches new heights
HBO and HBO Max reached 69.4 million total global subscribers at the end of the third quarter up by 12.5 million subs YoY. Domestic subs hit 45.2 million, up 7.1 million over the past year. AT&T said it expects HBO and HBO Max to end 2021 at around 73 million subscribers and has forecast between 120 million and 150 million total subscribers by the end of 2025. In 2022, Warner Bros. will have a slate of films with exclusive 45-day theatrical windows before hitting HBO Max. The studio will also produce films that will go directly to HBO Max on day one of release.
The NPD Take:
- The new Warner-Discovery leadership will be in a position to re-think their array of streaming services. It remains to be seen if they will stay a-la-carte, be bundled or fully integrated into a single service.
Philo offers free TVision Hub devices to new subscribers
Philo’s latest promotion offers new users who pre-pay for two months of the service a free TVision Hub. The hub was the connected TV device for T-Mobile’s live TV service TVision which shut down a few months after launch. The TVision Hub is a $50 Android TV dongle that comes with a Google Assistant-powered voice remote and dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix and TVision’s live guide, home page and DVR. The device also includes Bluetooth support, casting so users can view content from mobile devices on their connected TVs and Google Play for access to third-party streaming apps.
The NPD Take:
- This promo, coupled with the low cost of entry for Philo, could increase signups to the service.
- Look for more bundling promotions from T-Mobile as the company re-imagines their TV strategy.