Comcast is deploying its X1 video platform into the hospitality market, making the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center the first to launch the new service.
When the venue opens this winter, all 219 guest rooms will be equipped with the X1 Voice Remote, the main transom for connecting users to the advanced video system.
“Today’s luxury travelers want customized, personal experiences with fantastic and intuitive amenities. X1 is simple and user-friendly, allowing guests to navigate and discover the programs they want to watch,” said Ben Shank, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, in a statement. “With the voice remote, finding a channel, show or movie is now as easy as the click of a button and a simple voice command. We believe X1 will help elevate our guests’ in-room experience and create a truly world-class visit.”
Comcast made the announcement Monday at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference in Houston.
"Comcast has the potential to disrupt the $3 billion United States business TV market with X1 for hospitality," added Greg Ireland, multiscreen video analyst at IDC. "Products and solutions that have generated excellent results on the residential side can help businesses, particularly in the hospitality industry, gain an edge in attracting new and returning consumers.”
RELATED: Comcast’s new Philadelphia tower $67M over budget, SEC filing says
Comcast’s new Philly skyscraper will be the tallest in the Center City region, with a Four Seasons Hotel occupying the top four floors.
In April, a regulatory filing by the company overseeing construction of the new Comcast Technology Center revealed that the project is $67 million over budget and behind schedule.
Liberty Property Trust, which owns 20% of the 60-story building, released that information in an 8-K filing with the Securities Exchange Commission.
The filing doesn’t necessarily mark the project as a disaster. The overage amounts to just around 4.5% of the project cost, and the building was originally scheduled to open late last year. Developers are now targeting this summer.