Comcast introduces own $15 ‘cord-cutting’ service
July 13, 2015
By Colin Mann
Comcast has responded to the threat of cord-cutting by announcing the beta test of Stream, a new streaming cable service for its own Xfinity Internet customers that it says furthers the cable MSO’s goal of providing TV choices for everyone.
In a Blog Post, Matt Strauss, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Video Services for Comcast Cable in TV, notes that the way we watch TV has become more personal than ever, and that as this diversity in preferences continues to grow, Comcast has added new features and offerings to try and meet the needs of everyone who loves TV. “We’ve created skinny bundles like Internet Plus and developed services that cater to students, like Xfinity on Campus. And today, we’re announcing a beta test of a new streaming cable service that furthers our goal to provide TV choices for everyone It’s unlike anything we’ve ever offered: no extra device or additional equipment required…or even a TV. And it’s called Stream,” he says.
“With Stream, Xfinity Internet customers can watch live TV from about a dozen networks – including all the major broadcast nets and HBO – on laptops, tablets and phones in their home. It includes thousands of on demand movies and shows to watch home or away and even comes with access to TV Everywhere and a cloud DVR so you can record all your favourites and watch them later,” he advises.
Stream will be available to Comcast’s Xfinity Internet customers for $15 (€13.52) per month and will first launch in Boston at the end of the summer. “We’ll take it to Chicago and Seattle next, with plans to make it available everywhere in our footprint by early 2016,” he confirms.
“We want to make ordering Stream as easy as buying a song online. And make tuning in to a show as simple as opening an email,” he says, adding that it’s an “exciting” time to be a TV fan, with more quality content than ever and seemingly limitless ways to keep up with all the shows and movies people are talking about. “We’ll continue to experiment by creating offerings like Stream, so that users can choose the service that works best for them. So if you love TV and spend most of your time with the screen in your lap as opposed to the one on the wall, Stream may just be the thing for you,” he suggests.