US business web hosting provider and Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Comcast is to provide streaming services for Internet media company Netflix. The agreement covers several years and sees the company - recognized as the largest ISP in the United States - provide a service that will stream Netflix’s video content more quickly and more efficiently to its 44 million subscribers.
Financial aspects of the deal were not released, although it was confirmed Netflix would pay Comcast for direct network connection. The deal comes in the immediate wake of Comcast’s recent confirmation it would buy Time Warner Cable for $45 billion.
Comcast will avoid third-party providers and stream videos directly to end users, but the company has suggested the deal does not include any "preferential network treatment".
A Comcast statement suggested, "The companies have established a more direct connection between Netflix and Comcast, similar to other networks, that's already delivering an even better user experience to consumers, while also allowing for future growth in Netflix traffic."
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