THE CABLE PIPELINE

It seems to me that Comcast is heading down the trail of Wal-Mart bliss, if you take a closer look at recent events. What could a cable giant with revenues mostly generated from Digital Cable have in common with Wal-Mart? Well, it could happen if the operator continues to move in a concerted direction that positions itself as one stop shopping, “Have it all done in one place. Save your time. Save your money “, experience for customers.

Comcast’s current offerings include Broadband Internet, Digital Video, HD, VOD, Telephony, Cable Advertising and has recently acquired Clearwire to offer Wi-Fi, and is now about to acquire NBC Universal to garner a big stake in content for your online experience. What else does it need to become the largest cable operator where consumers can get everything in a home technology experience they need at, (one stop)?  

Keep in mind that to be like Wal-Mart, Comcast would have to offer a substantial reason for consumers to not migrate to Netflix, Apple iTunes/Apple TV, and Boxee, which would be price. It has been clear for a long time that offering a bundled package is a consumer friendly endeavor. Just contemplate what Wal-Mart has accomplished by offering an “economies of scale” price to its customers. They became so large and successful; it garnered them a public relations “black eye”.

Sufficed to say, if Comcast is serious about stopping migration away from its current services, then it should consider a bundled package, including all the popular content and applications, while using the “economies of scale” that made Wal-Mart a success, to offer a price and service package that no one else can emulate.

It will then truly become a Wal-Mart experience.

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