Starz Joins Comcast Online On Demand Trial

ENGLEWOOD/PHILADELPHIA: Starz Entertainment has joined Comcast’s On Demand Online trial, delivering web access to a range of movies and original series at no extra charge to subscribers of the premium movie service.

The trial will initially make 300 movies and other original programming available to Comcast’s Starz subscribers in standard definition, with HD versions and more content added in coming months. The movie slate will include recent features like Hancock, Vantage Point, Wall-E, Pineapple Express and High School Musical 3: Senior Year, plus original series like Crash, Head Case and Party Down.

The titles will often appear online as soon as they premiere on the standard Comcast VOD service and before they air on the linear channels. The content will be initially accessible on Comcast.net and Fancast.com.

“At Starz our goal is to allow subscribers to watch our programming whenever and wherever they want,” said Bill Myers, the president and COO of Starz Entertainment. “We are delighted to join with Comcast in this trial of Comcast On Demand Online. Comcast, with its existing base of millions of Starz subscribers, robust plant and strong commitment to on demand will be a terrific partner to help explore the new world of Internet video distribution.”

Matt Bond, the executive VP of content acquisition for Comcast, added: “The addition of Starz premium content to On Demand Online’s quickly growing lineup demonstrates the programming industry’s desire to meet consumers’ increasing demand for content online.”

Last month, Time Warner and Comcast unveiled a set of principles, “TV Everywhere,” to serve as a framework for the deployment of online television content across the industry in a way that is consumer friendly, pro-competitive and at no additional cost to subscribers.

Time Warner is making a host of Turner Broadcasting content available to Comcast’s trial, which begins with some 5,000 customers in the coming weeks.