News & Commentary
Comcast Puts Online VOD Over HDTV?
The cable operator announces a Net-based VOD service.
By Swanni
Washington, D.C. (February 24, 2009) -- Comcast, which has been criticized for failing to provide more High-Definition channels, has announced that it will debut a Net-based Video On Demand service by year's end.
That's according to an article by Home Media Magazine.
In most markets, Comcast now provides only about 40 high-def channels, which is half as many than what's offered by other TV providers such as DIRECTV, Dish Network, AT&T's U-Verse and Verizon's FiOS; those companies now deliver from 80 to more than 100 HD channels.
The paucity of high-def channels has led to widespread criticism of Comcast's HD service on Internet message boards, including the TV Predictions Reader Forum, and the company recently reported that it lost subscribers in 2008.
But rather than announce any new HD channels, Comcast this week said it would introduce an Internet VOD service called OnDemand Online, which would include programs and movies from TV networks and Hollywood studios.
The cable operator already offers a varied VOD lineup on its TV service.
Comcast apparently is trying to compete with new online video services such as TV.com and Hulu.com.
Commentary:
Comcast continues to disappoint its high-def audience. Instead of focusing its time and money on signing up HD channels -- HD channels that would be viewed by its core audience, the TV viewer -- Comcast has now fallen in love with the online user. This is a major mistake -- and more evidence that Comcast's management has lost touch with its audience.
It's no wonder that Comcast is losing subscribers. The company is trying to be all things to all people by providing a little of bit of everything (voice, Internet service, video and now an online VOD service).
But when you try to provide something for everyone, you end up satisfying no one.
