Xfinity internet customers are in for a new thing with the upcoming launch of a new streaming cable TV service courtesy of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA). The service whose customers will pay a monthly fee of $15 will expose them to a series of networks and on various devices the likes of a tablet, laptop, and smartphone. The fee, however, will go hand in hand with their internet bill.
Boston will be the first city where the service dubbed as “stream” will be launched and will take effect end of the summer. Chicago and Seattle will be next towards the end of the year. So far Comcast sounds very optimistic about stream with its strongest desire being able to meet the needs of Xfinity Internet customers across the U.S market by 2016.
Among the networks, the subscribers will be able to access include HBO, Fox, and NBC. However, the streaming will only take effect inside the customer’s homes. Demand movies will also be able to access the service as well as cloud DVR that lets users stream recorded shows.
Comcast’s executive vice president, Matthew Strauss says that the Company is doing anything possible to make its way of targeting products more surgical. Its primary target is the younger customers whose interest is more on watching TV but without the TV need.
Meanwhile, Stream may sound similar to over-the-top services the likes of Sling but there are radical differences between the two. Whereas Stream subscribers will only be able to access HBO network cable, Sling allows access to other cable networks like ESPN.
On the other hand, Xfinity Internet customers will only use the Stream on their home Wi-Fi, unlike the Sling users who will be able to watch TV from anywhere. Nevertheless, this limitation of Xfinity Internet customers has raised eyebrows of how the neutral net is.
The service is going to be IP based as reported by a Comcast’s representative. While at this, it is said that talks between Comcast and Apple held last year broke down. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) had approached Apple to produce a set box that would be used on priority internet traffic. However, Apple said that Comcast was only interested in the development of its technology.
