Comcast's NBCUniversal Offers TV App - Analyst Blog

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Owned by Comcast Corporation (CMCSA), NBCUniversal's USA Network is offering original programs like "Royal Pains" and "Burn Notice" on smartphones and tablets thorough new TV apps.

The subscribers can view these shows just by downloading the free USA Now app on their iPads and other mobile devices. Apart from TV shows, the users can play games linked with the show and comment on Facebook and Twitter. The customer will be eligible to use the new app for a year.

Apart from Comcast's customers, the new app can also be accessed by the subscribers of Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC), Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC), Mediacom Communications Corp., Suddenlink Communications, DirecTV (DTV) and Dish Network Corp. Moreover, Verizon Wireless's FiOS TV can also use the app.

However, the new app will not be ad free as NBCUniversal is seeking sponsorship for the app. After the launch of the USA Now app, the company is looking forward to offering Sify network and Telemundo channel apps.

Higher adoption of smartphones and tablets and increased deployment of 4GLTE technology supporting faster data speed and better streaming have completely altered the concept of TV viewing. There are multiple devices on which the customers can watch their favorite shows and connect to social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

So, to address such issues as well as to promote the concept of Xfinity TV –, an on-demand, Web-based service, – Comcast is gradually launching these TV apps. Moreover, it will also help the company to safeguard its position against low-cost video streaming companies like Hulu and Netflix.

Currently, Comcast Corporation carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).