Xfinity TV Partner app for Roku, Samsung
April 21, 2016
By Colin Mann
Cable MSO Comcast is partnering with Roku in a move that will continue to expand the range of retail devices Comcast’s customers can use to access their Xfinity TV service without the need for a set-top box. Later this year, Xfinity TV customers will be able to enjoy their cable subscription in the home via the new Xfinity TV Partner app designed specifically for Roku TVs and Roku streaming players.
“Roku is one of the largest providers of streaming TV devices and an innovative pioneer in the space, and we are thrilled to provide Xfinity TV customers with access to their subscription across Roku devices,” said Mark Hess, Senior Vice President, Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Business and Industry Affairs, Comcast Cable. “We want to give our customers the ability to watch what they want, when and where they want, and we will continue to explore new partnerships to bring Xfinity TV content and user experience to even more retail devices.”
The Xfinity TV Partner app for Roku devices will provide customers with access to their live and on demand programming, including local broadcast, cable and premium networks, Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) channels, as well as their cloud DVR recordings.
“Roku customers enjoy the ability to access their pay TV subscription using their Roku player or Roku TV without the need to lease a set-top box. These types of channels are very popular on Roku and offer a lot of convenience to our customers,” said Steve Shannon, GM of Content at Roku. “Comcast is one of the most popular pay TV operators in the U.S. and since many Roku customers are also Xfinity subscribers we believe the new Xfinity channel will be very popular when it launches this fall.”
In addition to the new Xfinity TV Partner app for Roku, Comcast recently launched its broader Xfinity TV Partner Program which enables Xfinity TV customers to receive their Xfinity TV cable service on connected TVs and other IP-enabled third-party devices.
Samsung Electronics has become the first smart TV manufacturer to sign up for the programme, meaning that Comcast customers will soon be able to access their Xfinity TV cable service in the home via the Xfinity TV Partner app on 2016 Samsung Smart TVs.
“Comcast has long partnered with Samsung to bring our customers advanced, high-quality entertainment viewing experiences, and we are thrilled to have them on board to help launch this exciting programme,” noted Hess. “We remain committed to giving our customers more choice in how, when and where they access their subscription, and the Xfinity TV Partner Program enables us to efficiently and effectively expand the range of devices our customers can utilise to do that.”
“Samsung is excited to collaborate with Comcast in new and innovative ways to deliver content into the homes of our customers,” said Won Jin Lee, Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is focused on delivering the highest quality experience to our consumers while providing them with a variety of choices to access their favourite content. This year, with our new Smart TV interface, it’s easier than ever for Comcast subscribers to find and enjoy their favourite TV shows, movies and on demand services.”