Comcast's online video platform, thePlatform, which has been a keystone for the MSO's foray into over-the-top video distribution, supporting Comcast's Xfinity initiative, is rumored to be for sale and, according to one report, a possible buyer may be KIT Digital, which has been on an acquisition spree over the past several months.
ThePlatform, a Comcast subsidiary, was acquired in 2006 and has been a leader in helping pay-TV operators establish an online video presence. It also just recently was chosen by Australian pay-TV operator Telstra as the central video management system for its BigPond TV service.
Comcast Tuesday afternoon told FierceOnlineVideo that it would not comment on rumors or speculation.
A source familiar with the situation, meanwhile, said the MSO was not planning to sell thePlatform to KIT digital and said no discussions were being held with KIT. "There may be interest in thePlatform in the marketplace," said the source. "But it's not actively on the market."
In January, KIT acquired OVP Kyte, as well as Kwego and KickApps for $77.2 million. That deal, said KIT Digital Chairman and CEO Kaeil Isaza Tuzman, "supports the company's aim to deliver end-to-end solutions covering each major aspect of Internet Protocol video management for our three primary client verticals: network operators, content distributors and general corporate enterprises."
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