In a surprise move, Comcast is adding Netflix to set-top boxes

Embracing the popularity of streaming platform Netflix, cable giant Comcast will include access to Netflix on its X1 home cable platform.
Netflix is the figurehead of the cord-cutting movement, driven largely by millenials who rely on services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and others instead of traditional cable. In the past, Comcast and Netflix have been at loggerheads around the issue of net neutrality with Netflix accusing Comcast of intentionally throttling throughput speeds to customers using Netflix.
Although the financials details of the arrangement have not been public, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings issued a joint statement to Recode, which broke the story.
“Comcast and Netflix have reached an agreement to incorporate Netflix into X1, providing seamless access to the great content offered by both companies,” the statement read. “We have much work to do before the service will be available to consumers later this year. We’ll provide more details at that time.”
X1 is the name of the Comcast platform – essentially a new generation of set-top boxes – which is touted as “seamlessly merg[ing] entertainment with the rest of your life.” According to the company, X1 features include a search feature that accessing live TV, on demand and your digital video recorder and does away with the scrolling guide; improved DVR functionality designed to enable recording of five shows at once and 500 gigabytes of storage; instead of a physical controller, X1 can take directions from users’ voices; a sports app providing real-time scores, stats and other information; and integration with social media applications.