Comcast launches $18 streaming TV service, but only for its own broadband customers

Comcast launches $18 streaming TV service, but only for its own broadband customers

7 years ago
Anonymous $wKBR2uNMvM

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/27/15095464/comcast-xfinity-instant-tv-stream-abc-cbs-fox-nbc

Comcast is beginning to roll out a streaming TV service across its entire US footprint, confirming reports from earlier in the year by Reuters and Variety. Previously known as Xfinity Stream (and described in detail here), the broadband-based TV offering is being rebranded Xfinity Instant TV for its expansion to all Comcast markets, which will be completed within the next couple weeks according to Variety.

Aimed at cable TV holdouts, Instant TV gives you a so-called “skinny bundle” of live TV including roughly a dozen channels (including the big four broadcast networks plus PBS, C-SPAN, and others) for $18 per month on top of your monthly Comcast internet bill. No set-top box is required to use it, but you’ve got to be a Comcast broadband customer for eligibility. Comcast’s early tests of Instant TV included HBO as part of the basic package, but that’s no longer the case; now getting HBO will tack an extra $15 onto your bill. That’s unfortunate, as including HBO at no extra cost would’ve been fairly disruptive — but also probably bad for Comcast’s cable business.

Comcast launches $18 streaming TV service, but only for its own broadband customers

Sep 27, 2017, 4:39pm UTC
https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/27/15095464/comcast-xfinity-instant-tv-stream-abc-cbs-fox-nbc >Comcast is beginning to roll out a streaming TV service across its entire US footprint, confirming reports from earlier in the year by Reuters and Variety. Previously known as Xfinity Stream (and described in detail here), the broadband-based TV offering is being rebranded Xfinity Instant TV for its expansion to all Comcast markets, which will be completed within the next couple weeks according to Variety. >Aimed at cable TV holdouts, Instant TV gives you a so-called “skinny bundle” of live TV including roughly a dozen channels (including the big four broadcast networks plus PBS, C-SPAN, and others) for $18 per month on top of your monthly Comcast internet bill. No set-top box is required to use it, but you’ve got to be a Comcast broadband customer for eligibility. Comcast’s early tests of Instant TV included HBO as part of the basic package, but that’s no longer the case; now getting HBO will tack an extra $15 onto your bill. That’s unfortunate, as including HBO at no extra cost would’ve been fairly disruptive — but also probably bad for Comcast’s cable business.