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Comcast Unveils $5-a-Month Streaming Service Xfinity Flex (cnet.com)

Posted by msmash on from the more-options dept.

Comcast announced a $5-a-month streaming video service Thursday called Xfinity Flex, an offering that aggregates on-demand video from your subscriptions like Netflix Amazon Prime Video and HBO, as well as offering free ad-supported shows to watch and options to rent and buy programming. From a report: It essentially replicates some of the features of a cable service but delivers over the internet rather than... well, cable. But it won't have live channels or DVR, and it won't let you watch a live-TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Sling TV, keeping Flex squarely in the realm of on-demand viewing that's less threatening to Comcast's traditional -- and lucrative -- cable TV packages. Instead, Flex will have built-in ways to upgrade to live TV from Comcast. Xfinity Flex comes with a 4K and HDR-ready wireless set-top box with an X1 voice remote, Engadget adds. It's scheduled to launch March 26th, and will be available to customers who have Comcast internet.

10 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. It's not "$5 a month". by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Quoting from the story: "Xfinity Flex will run $5 a month on top of a Comcast customer's cost for internet service."

  2. $5 to "Aggregate" my other 3rd party services? LOL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hahaha Uhm no. $5 to "aggregate" my streaming services? LOL. I "aggregated" them by putting all those apps into the same folder on my iPad. There, saved $5/mo. Wow, Idiots.

  3. Probably not just $5. by mattb47 · · Score: 2

    I'd bet they charge $8/month for that streaming box, and that you can only rent it, not buy it.

    Still -- maybe? I have Comcast for internet only. It might work for me.

  4. I actually like the idea by sunking2 · · Score: 2

    I wouldn't pay an extra $5 for it though. I thought this was initially what the xbox one guide was supposed to be but it never seemed to happen. Would love it if this was enough to push them to finally implement it.

  5. Also known as Chromecast or Roku by Doogie+Howser · · Score: 2

    Basically, Comcast will rent you a Roku box? Brilliant...

  6. I prefer the old classic by IWantMoreSpamPlease · · Score: 2

    'torrenting...still free

    (/h or /s, you decide)

    --
    So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
  7. Re:$5 to "Aggregate" my other 3rd party services? by lactose99 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Roku does this for free anyway (well, free monthly, once you get one of their inexpensive streaming boxes)

    --
    Fully licensed blockchain psychiatrist
  8. Re:Yeah fuck that by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 3, Informative

    Fuck Comcast.

    That's an extra $10/month.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  9. $5/mo to RENT a streaming box + remote by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    $5/mo to RENT a streaming box + remote how long before it's $7-$10/mo and if you don't return the box you will be billed $250.

  10. Better to run a VPN server by timholman · · Score: 2

    Back when I had service from Comcast (before switching to AT&T Fiber and DirecTV Now), customers were allowed to stream channels to a mobile device within your home network, but not outside of it.

    I quickly solved that problem by installing a VPN server on my home network and using that to watch TV while on the road. No doubt many others did the same. This $5 / month fee is effectively a surcharge by Comcast for the computer illiterate.