This post XFINITY Summer Hotlist is brought to you by Comcast; all opinion are my own.
I recently spoke with Todd Gold, the Executive Editor at XFINITY®. He’s a bestselling author who’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in entertainment and he’s an award-winning journalist. After stints at Us and People magazine, he now focuses on Xfinity.com/TV and the related apps and websites as well as the XFINITY® Facebook strategy and brand awareness.
The XFINITY Summer Hotlist: What’s Sizzling from Coast to Coast
Gold and his team of editors work to create the curated content offered as part of the X1 Entertainment Operating System® . But this summer they’ve gone beyond that.They’ve created the XFINITY SUMMER HOTLIST: WHAT’S SIZZLING FROM COAST TO COAST summer event. It’s list of 100 of summer’s hottest movies and TV shows to watch – what’s popular, boredom relievers, shows with a human connection, veg out fare, and more – that will get you through until the fall season.
The summer hotlist includes 26 curated collections in categories like, “Red Hot Right Now,” “Make Me Laugh,” “Freak Me Out,” and “Across the Pond.” These 250+ titles were chosen to match your mood at the moment or help you change it.
The lists were created using Nielsen ratings, insights from the curation team, and fan favorites. It breaks down what’s popular across the US as well as local favorites.
What Does the XFINITY Summer Hotlist Say About Us?
The first thing Gold notices are the similarities across the list. He believes that television is our common language. We all watch Game of Thrones, The Bachelor, and so on. Having that commonality allows us to connect across the country, but he also recognizes the regional nuances because every region has a unique personality. That’s where the human curators have a chance to show off the variety of content.
In San Francisco viewers love Odd Mom Out. Denver, Boston, and Portland favor True Detective, but it Atlanta, the must-see show is Braxton Family Values. But what’s popular in Seattle? Gold sees Seattle as smart, hip, educated, cultured, and creative, so the top 10 list shows its personality is mainstream with the touch of satire. So it’s no surprise that Silicon Valley, a witty show about a startup in the tech industry is found there. He’s also not surprised that Odd Mom Out makes a showing on the top 10 shows for its smart and satirical look at married life, being a mom, and status symbols. He sees it as a perfect match for Seattle as is the controversial Married at First Sight. It plays to the educated side of Seattle and the “what if” questions surrounding two complete strangers marrying.
Gold recommended a few up and coming shows for Seattle that feature smart, quirky, and offbeat storylines. His first choice is Mr. Robot. It’s got the suspense and sharp writing of Wayward Pines with the social commentary of Silicon Valley. He also recommends Fox’s new UnREAL, a fictional look behind the scenes of reality TV.
Human Editors Intersect with Computer Algorithms to Provide the Best Experience
XFINITY On Demand™ provides a human curated list of predictable and reliable choices including top shows. Their Top 100 Shows list is updated every week and provided to subscribers, but they also create curated collections by top experts in the field to give viewers a fun and easy way to discover new content.
The XFINITY® curation team is comprised of a handful of expert editors in movies, TV, music, and kids who are mostly located Philadelphia. The editors combine their knowledge and experience with algorithmic recommendations to create the lists that help personalize the On Demand™ experience. Editors provide curated collections and show recommendations that are supplemented with personalized menus based on what you’ve watched and your saved favorites.
What makes the XFINITY On Demand™ experience different is the real authoritative voices the editors provide beyond what an algorithm can create. Real curated content can bring the immediacy of the buzz going on in social media, in the news, and by word-of-mouth; things an algorithm can’t mimic. These human curators provide passion and a vision that leads to a more well-rounded experience with more viewing value – a true entertainment experience.
Human Curated Lists To Help with “Choice Trauma”
There’s more television than ever available, and that can lead to “Choice Trauma.” I think we’ve all experienced the moment when we say to ourselves, “There’s nothing on TV.” While a shortage of programs may have been possible in the 70’s when rabbit ears brought in just 3-5 channels, and programming ceased at 2 am; it’s nearly impossible now in our 24/7 instant access environment. What we likely mean is, “I can’t find anything worth my time to watch on TV.” That’s where the editor curated lists come in. They’re designed as if XFINITY® is the best friend who knows everything about the top shows and what you want to watch.
We’re No Longer Chained to the TV
How we consume television is changing, and Gold and his team recognizes that and make program selections around it. The Consumer Electronics Association recently reported that almost 46% of TV households now watch on a notebook, netbook, or laptop. While 43% use their smartphone to watch video. Those numbers have risen over the last year, and they’re not likely to go down.
Now people are watching TV when then want and where they want. Some may save up a few episodes of their favorite show and set aside a night to enjoy them all at once. Others prefer a sampler evening – new episodes of several of their favorite shows. Others are binge watchers who forgo an entire season to watch it in its entirety during a vacation or weekend.
XFINITY On Demand™ – Made for the New Way We Watch TV
Want to see where your favorite shows landed on the top 100 list? Go straight to your XFINITY On Demand™ or XFINITY TV Go on July 13th and you’ll find the hottest shows of the summer plus 26 human curated collections for every taste. You’ll be able to travel the world without leaving your sofa, or watch what everyone else is watching so you’ll be plugged in when you head to work.
XFINITY On Demand™ and XFINITY TV Go is available on multiple platforms – computer, tablet, smartphone and TV. Take your entertainment programs with you when you travel or wherever you go. Keep up when it’s convenient for you and break free from the scheduled programs.
Most subscribers have the new On Demand™ boxes with the image-driven interface as shown above. If you’re like me and still have the old menu-driven box, call your local Comcast office to find out about replacing it with the updated model. You’ll love all the new features including the curated lists.
Find Out More about XFINITY
Find out more about the XFINITY SUMMER HOTLIST: WHAT’S SIZZLING FROM COAST TO COAST and more. Follow @comcast on Twitter for additional news and updates or visit www.comcast.com/X1 for more details.
Photo Credit: comcast.com
I’ve never heard of Xfinity but it sounds great! I LOVE the fact that they have human curated choice — that’s awesome.
I love the ability to take my shows anywhere! It really helps keep my kids entertained!
I love being able to watch my shows, where ever I am. But I had no clue that these shows where on the hotlist. I have watched Aquarius, but that is it. May have to check the rest out.
Those all are great shows! XFINITY looks like a great thing to have!
Love the idea of not being chained to the TV. I am out all the time! I have a hard time picking shows. I have to DVR some of these shows! They are all great shows!
I love that I can take my Xfinity wherever I go. I am worried for Seattle that The Bachelorette is their #2 VOD show.
You and me both! Horrified 🙂
I have heard great things about Game of Thrones. I have to give it another chance to see how it goes.
I thought I was the only person on the planet who hasn’t seen it!
I am so surprised they use real people! That is so refreshing!
I’m wasn’t familiar with Xfinity until now. I’m excited to learn more! Thanks so much!!
We love AGT and we are looking forward to the return of Last Comic Standing this summer, too!
I’ve not see the Last Comic Standing – sounds like fun!
I definitely suffer from “choice trauma” from time to time. What a great way to help people find something they’re likely to enjoy watching 🙂
Almost daily here! I have all the streaming services and I’ll still spend way too much time trying to find something to watch. I tried a few of his suggestions and found a few new shows I love!
I’m actually surprised – but in a good way – that XFINITY uses real people to help curate the selections. I would think that it wold cost way too much for the human side. I think it’s awesome!
I was surprised – I figured it was advertising dollars that chose the top films/tv!
That is so cool! I never knew that they used humans and their technology to curate selections. No wonder it works so well!
I agree! Just the other day I joked that Neflix doesn’t get me…every single thing it suggested you couldn’t pay me to watch!
I love my XFINITY service and how it learns what I like to watch. I think it was genius to couple their technology with humans to help really get it spot on.