Comcast and OTT: a Tentative Embrace

Perhaps having concluded, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," (or rather less likely, perhaps having read this blog of mine from May), Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) is testing the idea of bringing OTT video in from the cold. The MSO has launched a beta version of a cross-platform video service dubbed "Watchable." The service curates content from online video networks for display on multiple screens, including the TV set.

The ad-supported service is available to iOS, watchable.com and X1 users. It's organized by categories, such as Auto, Entertainment, Fashion & Style, Food & Travel, Funny, Gaming, Music, News, Science & Technology and Sports.

Content partners include AwesomenessTV, Buzzfeed, CelebTV, Collective Digital Studio, Defy Media, Discovery Digital Networks, Fast Company, Flama, Future Today, GarageMonkey, GoPro, Jukin Media, Machinima, Maker Studios, Mashable, Mic Media, NBCUniversal, Network A, Newsy, The Onion, POPSUGAR, Red Bull, Refinery29, Scripps Networks Interactive, Tastemade, TEN, TYT Network, Vice, Video Detective and Vox.

Over the course of the experiment, Comcast plans to add content from more sources, make the experience more personalized, and include social media options for content sharing.