Comcast is moving further away from its traditional cable TV business with a new offer for a free Xfinity Flex media player with its internet-only subscriptions. The Flex box was launched earlier this year at USD 5 per month and gives customers access to a wide range of OTT services and apps as well as free content.
In addition to video content, the Flex box is designed to act as a home hub - helping customers control their Wi-Fi network, Xfinity Mobile subscriptions and connected home systems such as security alarms and cameras. It also comes with the Xfinity voice-controlled remote control. Internet-only customers get the first Flex box free and can rent a second box for USD 5 per month.
Comcast already has more internet than cable TV subscribers and is the largest ISP in the US. In addition to its Xfinity cable service, it offers the X1 IPTV service as a subscription option.
The free Flex box offers over 10,000 free on-demand movies and TV shows, grouped in the 'Free to me' section on the box. In addition, customers can access channels such as ESPN3, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Xumo, Cheddar, YouTube and Sky News, VoD libraries for direct purchases and subscriptions to services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, Showtime, Epix and Sling International. Comcast will also soon offer access to Hulu on the box, and its upcoming streaming service Peacock, and the option to upgrade to its subscription X1 and Xfinity TV services.
More streaming than pay-TV
Comcast's offer represents a challenge to independent media box sellers, such as Roku, which have helped consumers access their streaming services on the big screen. The same day as the cable operator's announcement, Roku released a study on 'cord cutters', suggesting that streaming TV users could outnumber pay-TV subscribers within five years in the US.
The research found that two million Americans have ‘cut the cord’ so far in 2019, after 3.5 million cancelled their pay-TV subscription already in 2018. The company predicts as man as 60 million people could rely on streaming apps only within five years, with no use of traditional cable or satellite services. Of those surveyed for the Roku study, 74 percent said streaming is more convenient than pay-TV services and 89 percent reported that using a streaming device was very easy.
