The Comcast/ NBC Universal Merger: Addressing The Addressable

[Commentary] Since the turn of the 21st Century, of all of the cable operators Comcast has been the most prolific in deploying video on demand platforms, whether they be cable network linear extensions, original branded propositions, automotive, real estate and retail classified-link-to-video destinations and the disable-ization of commercial fast forwarding functionality in broadcast network VOD offerings in a few markets. In the future, Oscar imagines the new entity will make even more top quality content available through on demand venues, both traditional and TV everywhere-like authentication peppered with technological extensions. Last week Comcast announced a shop-by-remote function, in partnership with HSN, that would be available in 10+ million homes early next year augmenting the 8 million Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) enabled homes currently in the field. Nary a Canoe Request for Interaction product mention. So unless Comcast mandates its networks (and NBCU siblings) to support Canoe product roll-outs, Oscar doesn't expect in the near future that one of the noticeable benefits of the Comcast-NBCU merger will be in the iTV/ addressable realm or not, at least, through Canoe Ventures white labels - if history be judge of repetition.