Comcast says it will bring YouTube to its Xfinity X1 platform, continuing to embrace streaming options that otherwise compete with its core cable service.
The cable giant and YouTube parent Google announced plans on Monday to integrate a YouTube app into Xfinity X1 set-top boxes later this year. Under the deal, customers nationwide will be able to browse YouTube videos via an app on X1, launching the service simply by saying “YouTube” into the X1 voice remote.
Customers will also be able to use voice to search content on the platform with phrases such as “YouTube, find ‘The LEGO Movie’ trailer” or “Watch Katy Perry’s ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ on YouTube.” YouTube’s entire library of original content such as music and sports clips will be available on the platform, and users will be able to sign in to YouTube to access their personal settings and subscriptions.
According to Comcast, nearly 50 percent of its customers have X1 boxes in their homes. The service, which launched in 2012, provides a DVR, a voice control remote, and a sports scoreboard, among other features. The company last year announced a deal to bring Netflix to its X1 devices.
Similar to the Netflix deal, the partnership between Comcast and Google will integrate YouTube content directly into the Xfinity On Demand library. When customers ask the service for cooking shows, they’ll see YouTube content directly next to On Demand shows. There will also be a separate YouTube app.
“We are excited to partner with Google to bring YouTube to X1 and provide our customers easier access to all the content they love in one place,” said Sam Schwartz, Comcast’s chief business development officer, in a press release. “By integrating YouTube into the X1 experience, viewers can simply and effortlessly access videos on any topic, from cooking, to beauty and fitness with just their voice.”
Comcast didn’t give an exact timing for when the integration will take place, but said it would be later this year.
