Rogers Communications (TSX:RCI.A) announced a long-term strategic partnership with Comcast NASDAQ:CMCSA) to deploy Comcast's X1 cloud-based IP video platform.
"This partnership is great news for our customers," said Alan Horn, Rogers chairman and interim CEO. "We're bringing our customers a world-class IPTV service with the most advanced features available in the market today. On top of that, our customers will be future-proofed thanks to Comcast's innovative and robust product roadmap."
Earlier this year, Rogers began to offer gigabit Internet service to all of its customers. The new IPTV service will ride on that Internet network. Rogers expects to launch X1 in early 2018. In the interim, Rogers customers will continue to see further enhancements throughout the year to the existing TV platform, including more 4K content and 4K PVR.
"We've seen growing desire of other operators to leverage the industry-leading innovations we've created at Comcast," said Neil Smit, Comcast president and CEO. "Comcast is excited to bring the experiences of the award-winning X1 platform to Rogers' customers in Canada."
Rogers decided to move to a hosted platform to ensure it has access to the scale and technical roadmap needed to meet the ongoing pace of IPTV innovation. Rogers will discontinue further investment in the IPTV product it was developing on its own.
Other cable operators using X1 include Shaw Communications (TSX:SJR.B), Cox Communications, and of course Comcast itself. X1 was introduced in 2012 and is now available throughout Comcast's footprint. Recent developments in the platform include the integration of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), CPE auto-setup, and voice controls for Xfinity Home service via the X1 remote.