Comcast Launches On-Demand Streaming on its Xfinity TV App for iPad

Submitted by tracyswedlow on February 4, 2011 - 1:52am

--Says App Has Been Downloaded over 1 Million Times Since its Mid-November Launch

Comcast announced Wednesday that its Xfinity TV App for iPad, which it launched last November (see the article published on itvt.com, December 9th) and which also serves as a TV guide, a remote control and a remote DVR management tool, now supports on-demand streaming of TV shows and movies at home and on-the-go (note: while only WiFi is currently supported, 3G support is slated to launch later this year). The new "play now" feature--plans for which the company announced at CES last month (see the article published on itvt.com, January 6th)--is available as part of an updated version (1.1.1) of the app, which is available for free to Comcast Xfinity TV customers. According to Comcast, since its launch in mid-November, the app has been downloaded over a million times.

The app now allows Xfinity subscribers to access on-demand programming from TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and BBC America at no extra charge; and--if they also subscribe to those services--from HBO, Showtime, Starz, Encore, Cinemax and MoviePlex. The approximately 3,000 hours of programming available through the app include episodes of HBO's "True Blood" (every episode from all three seasons), "Boardwalk Empire" and "Big Love"; of Showtime's "Dexter," "Weeds" and "Californication" (every episode from the first three seasons, as well as new episodes from season four); and of Starz's "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" (season one) and "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" (prequel). The programming line-up also includes such movies as "Alice in Wonderland, 2012," "The Hangover," "G-Force," "Monsters vs. Aliens," "An Education," and "The Blind Side." Comcast says that it plans to bring "thousands" more programming choices to the iPad in the weeks and months ahead.

Comcast previously announced that future releases of the app will support live streaming of TV channels; include access to social networking sites so that customers can share what they're watching with their friends in real time; and offer a 'MyTV' feature that will allow customers to send and receive personal recommendations with friends on what to watch. The MSO also plans to bring the app to Android-powered devices. "The Xfinity TV app with video streaming is part of our ongoing effort to deliver great entertainment experiences for our customers on all screens and devices," Matt Strauss, SVP and general manager of Comcast Interactive Media, said in a prepared statement. "We have an aggressive development plan to introduce even more features in the coming months that enable customers to more richly watch, control, and personalize their entertainment."

North America

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 9, 2011 - 7:17am.

Having the iPad work as a remote is nice, as far as the online content isn't that what Hulu is for? Don't get me wrong this is a big step in a good direction, just not sure it stands up to what else is out there. As an employee/customer of DISH Network I know about their DISH Remote Access app. It's brilliant, works on IOS or Android devices, smart phones AND tablets. I actually was watching Real Time with Bill Maher on my iPhone on my way to work yesterday. I had it recorded and just never got to it. Not to mention if I chose I could of watched live TV as well. It just makes more sense to me, all of these shows with the online content are available on the internet anyway. You don't have an option to watch shows that are on HBO if you don't subscribe to it with Comcast.