Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) highlighted its new XFINITY on campus product, launched during the third quarter with six schools and in trial with several more. As a streaming-only option, this is an example of how Comcast has "evolved our products and services to better engage" with the younger generation.
More than 5 million X1 boxes have been deployed, and the cloud DVR is being "rapidly" rolled out. With it, customers can stream DVR recordings outside of the home and live TV to any device in the home. Related to X1, those customers with the boxes have a higher ARPU due to a 20% higher VOD buy rate, almost twice the number of DDRs as the average customer, and more additional outlets in the home.
As for WiFi, Comcast noted its deal with Liberty Global (NASDAQ:LBTYA) whereby subscribers of the two companies can use the other's WiFi networks. This brings Comcast customers access to 2.5 million access points across Europe. Comcast has 5 million hotspots of its own, the majority of which are in-home. Half of the MSO's high-speed data customers have high-end routers and are bringing more devices into the home network "every day."
Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI) highlighted its joint project with Shaw Communications (TSX:SJR.B), Shomi. Shomi is a subscription on-demand video streaming service that will provide 14,000 titles and a new user interface. It's expected to launch in less than two weeks. As a teaser, Rogers execs promised announcements on "exciting content deals" over the next few months.
Shaw shined a spotlight on WiFi, saying that it has accrued more than 45,000 access points and 1.25 million registered active devices on its network. In a survey, more than 75% of respondents indicated a likelihood of recommending or switching to Shaw based on its WiFi service. Additionally, active Internet WiFi customers have 35% lower churn rate. Moving forward, the company is starting to execute on 60 municipal deals that have the potential of bringing an additional 4 million hotspots.
On the business services side, Shaw is preparing to open a flagship data center in Calgary in the summer of 2015 and said it is starting to see "early demand" from both the United States and western Canada.
Time Warner Cable (NYSE:TWC) reported it is ahead of schedule with regard to the challenge of adding 1 million residential customer relationships over three years. In three quarters, the company has added 100,000. Advanced monitoring tools have helped identify areas of the plant that are causing "customer impacting issues." TWC has taken action at more than 10,000 nodes and improved troubleshooting by customer care representatives. The company says this has resulted in a 12% reduction in truck rolls year-over-year, which amounts to 500,000 fewer service truck rolls this year.
The rollout of TWC Maxx continues. Every household passed in New York City, Los Angeles, and Austin, TX, will have access to 300 Mbps high-speed data service by the end of next month. New York and LA are also now all-digital.
TWC is also in the process of deploying next-gen whole-home DVRs that can record six shows simultaneously and can hold 150 hours of HD. The first generation cloud-based guide with an advanced VOD portal is on 7 million set-top boxes. Third quarter results show VOD being used more in homes with this new guide. The second generation cloud-based guide has transitioned from beta and is in paying homes.