Collaboration between leading incumbent cable pay-TV and OTT video services providers continues as Comcast and Google announced they will launch a Comcast YouTube app on Xfinity X1 across the country later this year. X1 is now available to 50% of Comcast video customer homes, according to the company.
Using the X1-YouTube app, Xfinity X1 subscribers will be able to access, browse and stream YouTube’s complete catalog, which now includes literally billions of videos, via the Internet alongside Xfinity X1’s live, on-demand, DVR and Web programming content offerings.
The YouTube app will be added to X1’s Apps and Networks sections and YouTube content will be featured and integrated throughout Xfinity, Comcast says. YouTube will join a growing number of OTT content options on X1 including Netflix and Sling.
Comcast YouTube App
In addition, YouTube viewers will gain access to universal voice control with the X1 voice remote. A press release notes that viewers will be able to use voice commands to access YouTube content in a variety of ways:
- Launch the YouTube app by simply saying “YouTube” into the X1 voice remote.
- Browse featured YouTube content alongside other On Demand movies and shows.
- Search for movie trailers or TV show clips by saying, “Show me Adam Levine clips from ‘The Voice’ on YouTube,” or “YouTube, find ‘The LEGO Movie’ trailer.”
- Access hundreds of thousands of music videos by saying, “Show me Ariana Grande videos on YouTube,” or “Watch Katy Perry’s ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ on YouTube.”
- Watch the world’s best gamers face off by saying, “YouTube, Launch League of Legends Championship Series.”
- Search the latest videos from your favorite personalities by saying, “Show me Ellen Degeneres on YouTube,” or “YouTube, Logan Paul videos.”
- Or search millions of user-generated videos like dinner recipes and workout routines by saying, “YouTube, show me chicken recipes,” or “Find yoga videos on YouTube.”
“The YouTube integration on X1 will provide users the ability to seamlessly navigate and access YouTube content alongside their cable service. And by simply using their voice, users can now access diverse videos that creators make every single day,” commented YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl.
In a similar development, Roku announced the U.S. release of its beta Xfinity TV app Jan. 31. The trial Roku Xfinity app includes an enhanced viewer guide that incorporates graphics, personalized recommendations and detailed information that makes for easier content searching and discovery, Roku’s Andrew Ferrone highlighted.
