Comcast is now rolling out a new streaming TV service around the US, confirming reports from earlier this year by Reuters and Variety. Known as Xfinity Instant TV (formally Xfinity Stream), the broadband-based TV is set to be released to all Comcast markets. According to Variety, this rollout will be completed within the next few weeks.
Xfinity Instant TV is aimed towards those that aren’t really interested in getting traditional cable service. Known as a “skinny bundle” that offers live TV including about dizen channels, this service will run you $18 per month on top of what you pay for your Comcast internet bill.
There is no need for a set-top box to use this service. All you have to do is be a Comcast broadband customer in order to take advantage of this new service. Early testing of this service included HBO as part of the basic package, but that is no longer the case. If you want HBO with your Xfinity Instant TV service, you will need to hash our an extra $15 onto your bill. This doesn’t seem to be a good look for Comcast. If they were to include HBO for free in their package, it would have been quite the competitive offering in today’s market.
Like all internet-based TV services such as Sling TV and PlatStation Vue, Xfinity TV offers several tier packages to choose from. The basic package will run you $18 per month, and can add CNBC, CNN, ESPN, Fox News, and MSNBC for an additional $30 per month, known as a “sports and news” add-on. In addition, there’s also a $15 entertainment bundle that Comcast is offering that includes AMC, Comedy Central, USA, A&E, TBS, TNT, Discovery, and Food Network. Lastly, the company is offering a “kids and family” package that includes Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, MTV, and TLC for an additional $10 to your bill.
You are able to use Xfinity Instant TV service on mobile device of your desktop browser, or even watch on-demand shows with TV Everywhere apps like WatchABC and HBO Go. If you’re wondering about any DVR service, we’ve got an answer for you. The company is offering a cloud DVR feature, which will record up to two programs simultaneously and holds “up to 20 hours of HD programming.”
To breakdown and give you a clear view of what Comcast is offering in their service, the basic package will run you $18 per month for the service. Here’s a full list of channel add-ons you can get:
- HBO ($15 / month)
- Starz ($12 / month)
- Kids and Family ($10 / month) — Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, MTV, National Geographic Channel, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, NickToons, Universal Kids, TeenNick and TLC.
- Entertainment ($15 / month) — A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, E!, Food Network, FX, FXX, Hallmark Channel, HISTORY, HGTV, Lifetime, OWN, Syfy, TBS, TNT, TV One, USA and VH1.
- Sports and News ($30 / month) — CNBC, CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPNU, Fox Business, Fox News, Fox Sports 1, Golf Channel, MSNBC, NBC Sports, NFL Network and Regional Sports Networks based on markets.
