In an attempt to convince consumers to not leave behind cable TV subscriptions in favor of Internet-based content, Comcast has rolled out its on-demand, Internet-based service nationwide.
As part of its TV Everywhere service, Fancast XFINITY TV is available exclusively to Comcast subscribers only. Comcast’s subscriber base continues to be threatened by Hulu, Joost, and similar online video sites — but agreeing to share content with partners could help it better compete with free services.
TV Everywhere is available to Comcast subscribers who have both the company’s cable Internet services and digital cable. Subscribers must log into a secure site that has custom authentication to ensure the person viewing movies, TV shows, and other video clips truly is a Comcast subscriber.
Comcast currently has 30 cable TV network partners offering content on Fancast.com, with online video still an extremely fragmented market. Major channels such as ABC and NBC have their own media available online, with video clips from popular shows available on the cable provider site and network sites — often times confusing consumers as to where to go for content.
The TV conglomerate plans to take over 51% of NBC Universal, as the company continues to retool its entertainment services. Hulu, a popular online movie destination, may begin to charge monthly subscriptions for service.
I’ve openly criticized Comcast in the past, but I applaud the company, which is the No. 1 cable company in the U.S., for creating a service like TV Everywhere. Over the summer, 5,000 Comcast subscribers tested the service, and now Comcast customers from around the country can test it.
I haven’t tried it out yet, but look forward to giving it a shot.
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4 Comments
Internet TV should allow channels to directly air over the internet, increasing their viewer base and eliminating the need for a distributer.
I would think cable companies would want to shy away from the internet, because people would be able to find what they want to watch for free (from legal services no less), why would they pay for comcast?
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