Comcast and Partners Aim to Address 4K Content Issues

Many experts will tell you that 4K TVs are riding the crest of a huge technological wave that’s poised to dominate the future of television viewing. When fully optimized to perform at their best, these consumer electronics headliners will allow you to enjoy programming that’s sharper than you’ve ever been treated to previously. This promise is what prompted so many people to watch the 2014 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which was one of the biggest showcases yet for these ultra high definition (UHD) dazzlers, as closely as they did.

Virtually all of the major TV manufacturers came out and displayed their latest wares in this increasingly competitive category. Public reaction to these highly anticipated products was largely favorable. However, a particular concern that’s long hovered over these televisions again made an ominous appearance. This concern revolves around the relative shortage of 4K content that exists out there. A recently announced Comcast-driven initiative is set to address this situation in a big way. The result: much more high-definition programming that’ll do justice to your potent 4K TV.

Comcast Partners with Samsung

Comcast recently announced another initiative on which it will be collaborating that could significantly alter the 4K TV landscape within the near future. This latest partnership is with the South Korean electronics giant Samsung. (Samsung is one of the world’s most prolific manufacturers of 4K TVs. It’s also been responsible for releasing some of the largest televisions of this type that our eyes have beheld in recent times. Many of these were on display at January’s CES.) It revolves around the development of a platform that will facilitate the convenient delivery of such content to Samsung UHD TV owners who are also XFINITY subscribers. According to company officials, an XFINITY TV 4K app is among the solutions that you can look out for later in 2014. This app will allow you to access an ever-expanding library of 4K movies and television shows via the provider’s On Demand service. Streaming of this content will be done via the Internet.



Previously Announced Content Partnership

The proposed content delivery system that will be devised with Samsung is intended to ensure easy access to a wealth of 4K content that the provider is currently in the process of developing with its partners. This coalition of partners includes some of the most prominent programmers and content providers operating within the content production and broadcasting arena today. This collaboration has the potential to address the shortages in 4K content that have checked the even more rapid growth of the technology’s consumer base during the period since it emerged. In announcing the partnership in January, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast Cable Matt Strauss stated that the company would continue to “push the boundaries of high-definition technology to deliver the best possible experience to …viewers”. He went on to indicate that they’re additional developments in the pipeline that could further impact the way in which you consume programming – specifically, 4K programming.



A Look at what could be on the Horizon

Okay, so we’ve established what’s been said in recent weeks regarding the 4K content revolution that’ll be televised to XFINITY subscribers before the year’s out. It’s really worth noting that NBCUniversal is among the programming partners that Comcast will be working with to make it all happen. NBCUniversal, which is one of America’s largest producers of news and entertainment products, is owned by Comcast. Based on the relationship that exists between both entities, the chances are very good that much more 4K content will hit the market before we bid adieu to the year 2014. Here’s look at some of the content producers and broadcasters from which you’ll likely be able to access significantly increased volumes of varied 4K programming in the not too distant future:

• NBC

NBC is home to some of the most watched shows on TV. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chicago Fire, and The Blacklist are among the highly acclaimed dramas that it currently broadcasts. It’s also one of the dominant players in the late night and reality segments of the market.

• USA Network

Over the years, USA has earned a reputation for airing many original shows that are worth watching. Its current programming schedule features a number of original and syndicated dramas that fit snugly into this highly watchable category – including Psych, Royal Pains, and White Collar.

• Syfy

There are few channels that cover the Sci-Fi genre as comprehensive as Syfy. Lost Girl, Haven, and Being Human are among the dramas that science fiction fanatics can tune to the station to watch.

• Universal Studios

This is one of the United States’ premiere movie studios. It also has a well-established reputation for distributing some of the biggest blockbusters to make it to theaters annually. Some of the highest grossing films of all-time – including E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park – have received the Universal Studios stamp of approval.



The Final Word

The ongoing evolution of 4K TV technologies and the continuing expansion of 4K content options are phenomena that many people will be keeping their eyes on as 2014 moves along. Comcast is one of the companies at the forefront of this thrust. They’ve recently outlined plans that could soon see millions of American subscribers enjoying their television viewing more than they’ve ever done before.


Comcast and Partners Aim to Address 4K Content Issues