Benzinga | Oct 19, 2021 04:51PM EDT

Comcast Forays Streaming Arena With Smart TV Launch

* Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:CMCSA) collaborated with the Chinese manufacturer Hisense Home Appliances to launch XClass TV, intensifying rivalry with Roku Inc (NASDAQ:ROKU) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN).

* The new TV prices are $298 for a 43-inch model and $348 for a 50-inch.

* The sets go on sale this week in select Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) stores.

* Smart TVs have become famous for making it easier to watch services like Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX), Bloomberg reports. Roku and Amazon sell streaming devices that connect to TV sets.

* The smart TV marks the cable provider's first product offer directly to consumers beyond its territories, including Philadelphia, Houston, and Chicago, inviting competition with Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (OTC:SSNLF) and VIZIO Holding Corp (NYSE:VZIO).

* The report added that Smart TVs could drive Comcast's advertising business with greater visibility into people's viewing habits. It could also provide a distribution boost to the company's streaming service, Peacock.

* When customers buy an XClass TV, they get Peacock Premium, which costs $4.99 a month, free for a year.

* Price Action: CMCSA shares closed higher by 1.92% at $54.24 on Tuesday.