Aug 2, 2018 - Technology

Comcast partnering with Amazon to bring Prime video to X1 subscribers

Photo: Comcast

Comcast is partnering with Amazon to bring its video service, Amazon Prime video to its X1 service, which is a Pay-TV package that integrates on-demand and live programming through a combined hardware product and software platform.

Why it matters: Cable and satellite providers are competing with the big subscription video on-demand (SVOD) companies, like Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, to retain customers, but they also need those companies to retain their Pay-TV subscriber base with marketing deals.

The details: Prime Video content will be integrated on Comcast's X1 platform in the U.S., and available within X1's search feature and remote control functions.

  • X1 subscribers will also be able to access titles for rental or purchase and add on a selection of over 160 Prime Video Channels, including Showtime and STARZ.

Comcast already lets their X1 Pay-TV consumers access other SVODs, like Netflix and Youtube, with just a single click or voice command on its X1 remote.

The big picture: Most Pay-TV companies, like AT&T, Verizon, etc., broker these type of deals with digital streamers to be able to market the packages to consumers.

  • It's important that they do so, because many of the ~120 million television households in the U.S. are quickly dropping their expensive Pay-TV packages for cheaper, digital bundles in a process dubbed "cord-cutting."

Go Deeper: Cord cutters will outpace previous projections and grow more than 30% this year

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