Details revealed on Comcast streaming video portal

More Details About Comcast's New 'OnDemand Online' [Silicon Alley Insider]

On Monday, I wrote about the plans that some cable operators have for online video portals, similar to Hulu and TV.com. Silicon Alley Insider has published details about Comcast's forthcoming video portal, which will be called OnDemand Online. Comcast's portal will be similar to Hulu, but will have a completely different content focus. While Hulu provides shows from NBC and Fox, OnDemand Online will feature original cable network programming that isn't available on Hulu.

OnDemand Online will provide free content to Comcast's cable subscribers, but the possibility exists that there will be premium content that requires a fee. In several articles about the concept of cable companies developing online video portals, there has been mention of efforts to bring premium streaming content from networks like HBO and Showtime.

Comcast's OnDemand Online will only be available to users in Comcast's geographic service area, but will be accessible from non-Comcast broadband connections. And, according to this article, there are no plans yet to stream live television (like Slingbox) from Comcast's online portal.

Cable operators are quickly embracing the concept of television and Internet convergence and the popularity of streaming video portals. Other cable operators can easily adopt the strategy and I wouldn't be surprised of some join forces to share in the development of such products. 

Sometimes I lean back in my chair and marvel at the speed at which everything is changing.  Then I snap out of it and get back to work for fear of getting left behind!