Comcast Business (NASDAQ:CMCSA) has launched X1 for Hospitality, a program to bring the cloud-based video platform to hotel guests. Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center plans to include X1 in each of its 219 guest rooms when it opens this winter.
"Four Seasons guests seek exceptional quality at every turn, and technology and entertainment are an important part of their experience with us," said Ben Shank, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center. "Today's luxury travelers want customized, personal experiences with fantastic and intuitive amenities. X1 is simple and user-friendly, allowing guests to navigate and discover the programs they want to watch. With the voice remote, finding a channel, show or movie is now as easy as the click of a button and a simple voice command. We believe X1 will help elevate our guests' in-room experience and create a truly world-class visit."
Comcast made the announcement at The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference (HITEC) in Houston. The launch follows a series of X1 trials at hotels across the country.
"Comcast has the potential to disrupt the $3 billion United States business TV market with X1 for Hospitality," said Greg Ireland, multiscreen video analyst at IDC. "Products and solutions that have generated excellent results on the residential side can help businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, gain an edge in attracting new and returning consumers."
The X1 product that will be featured at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center will include:
- Approximately 300 channel options and a free library of more than 50,000 TV shows and movies on demand
- Voice control to use the X1 Voice Remote to search for networks, shows and movies, set DVR recordings, change the channel, get recommendations and navigate on-demand content
- A two-tuner DVR
- Spanish screens, menus and X1 voice commands, as well as curated content collections like Black Film & TV, International and LGBTQ.
- Branded channels for hotels to include promotional and informational content
"X1 has changed the game for millions of people when it comes to watching television and now hotels can bring that same experience to their guests," said Denice Hasty, chief marketing officer, Comcast Business. "Few brands know more about the importance of experience than the Four Seasons, and we look forward to making their Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center a premier destination with the very best technology and amenities, all tuned to the unique needs of their guests."