Agreement expands the reach of Comcast's Select On Demand services to 11.5 million customers
Comcast and Cox Announce Cable Industry's First Distribution Agreement for Select On Demand - Suite of Next Generation VOD Programming
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) today announced that its Select On Demand programs will be available to select Cox Communications systems, marking the first major distribution agreement for the Comcast-created and -managed suite of original, non-linear video-on-demand (VOD) services.
Beginning in mid-September, Cox will offer its customers with On DEMAND service more than 100 hours of free VOD programming from Select On Demand categories, including:
- exercisetv
- Scene It? Movie Trivia
- Dating On Demand
- The Knot Weddings
- Guitar Lessons
- Something Weird
- Baby Boost
- H20 Hip Hop
- 4Kids TV
- Short Films
- Digital Cookbook
- Vortex Kids
"With Select On Demand, Comcast has built an infrastructure to produce, acquire and invest in the next generation of non-linear branded content and services, and we're pleased to expand this customized programming to new markets across the country with a great partner like Cox Communications," said Matthew Strauss, Vice President of Programming and Content Development for Comcast. "As usage of VOD-exclusive programming continues to set new records and attract more advertisers, distribution deals like this significantly expand the revenue potential for our current and future VOD offerings."
""We are pleased to offer our customers even more free content in our On DEMAND library," added Bob Nocera, director of new video services for Cox. "The new, innovative programming offered with Select On Demand brings our customers content that they can't find any where else, making it even more clear why Cox is the best choice for communications and entertainment in the communities we serve."
Comcast introduced Select on Demand in late 2004 and is partnering with leading content producers and subject-matter experts to build a growing collection of customized programming not available on traditional linear television channels. Since its launch, Comcast has become the nation's largest producer and distributor of non-linear programming designed for video-on- demand. Comcast Digital Cable customers with VOD have embraced this next-generation of VOD content, viewing more than 177 million Select On Demand programs since 2005. Select on Demand is distributed to Cox Communications and Comcast Cable subscribers via the Comcast Media Center's VOD distribution platform.
In January 2006, Comcast launched exercisetv, the first Select On Demand non-linear network to sign a multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement. Developed exclusively for VOD with completely integrated sponsor-branded messages, exercisetv represents a significant shift from the traditional television programming and advertising model and is an example of the future advertising potential for the VOD platform and Select On Demand brands.
The agreement with Cox expands Select On Demand's reach to 11.5M million digital cable customers. Beginning in mid-September and continuing through October, Cox will launch Select On Demand non-linear, VOD programming to customers in New England, San Diego, Omaha, Oklahoma City, Roanoke and Northern Virginia with plans to launch in additional markets later this year.
About Select On Demand
Select On Demand is Comcast Cable's incubator for developing and distributing non-linear, on-demand programming content that appeals to a wide range of lifestyles, hobbies and interests. Select On Demand's growing content lineup includes more than 100 hours of programming from 18 branded services, including exercisetv, Dating On DemandScene It? Movie Trivia, Anime Selects, Baby Boost, Pet Adoptions and The Knot Weddings that is available for no additional charge with video-on-demand service.
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 23.3 million cable customers, 10 million high-speed Internet customers, and 1.6 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, OLN, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One and four regional Comcast SportsNets. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications, a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 5.9 million total residential and commercial customers. Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network. Cox Business Services is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long-distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses. Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services. More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com