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Comcast has formally announced their version of TV Everywhere is now online. Fancast XFINITY TV “is available to any Comcast customer with a digital cable and Internet subscription.” There is no additional charge for the service.
Comcast customers can access the service after logging in through Comcast.net or Fancast.com with their account username and password. Once “authenticated” as a confirmed Comcast cable subscriber, customers can watch approximately 2,000 hours of programming from more than 30 cable networks, including premium channels HBO, Cinemax, and Starz. A demonstration showed Comcast had complete seasons of series like The Sopranos and Big Love.
Some programmers are exploring whether Nielsen can count online viewing as part of its ratings measurements.
Initially, Comcast will restrict access to customers who are confirmed digital cable and broadband customers, but will extend the service to those who only subscribe to Comcast cable programming in approximately six months once security and authentication issues have been resolved, according to company officials.
The service should be accessible by subscribers on-the-go through mobile broadband or other connections, as long as customers log in. Access is not allowed outside of the United States for copyright clearance reasons.
Customers should be aware any video accessed by the service counts against Comcast’s 250GB monthly usage limit. Advertising on the service also counts. Unlike Hulu which typically provides just one advertisement for every break, Comcast’s program partners have tested full commercial loads, up to seven minutes worth in a 30-minute program. That’s 14 ads to sit through, each eating into your usage allowance. Comcast says programmers are individually testing different amounts of advertising to learn how viewers react. The prevailing view is that online viewers are less tolerant of advertising than typical television viewers.
Other stories of interest:
- Comcast-NBC Deal: Hulu’s Free Online Video Days Could Be Numbered
- Rogers Introduces ‘On Demand Online,’ But Effectively Rations Your Use With Usage Caps
- CBS: The ‘Hulu Holdout’ Joins TV Everywhere Comcast Trial
- Joost Sold to Online Ad Firm Adconion
- TV Everywhere Update: Networks Likely to Launch On Demand Online Video
Umm, wouldn’t *not* counting viewing against your usage cap (which by the way is a soft cap…you only get the call if you push maybe 500+ GB over the connection like a few of my friends did) be a violation of net neutrality? Can’t have it both ways, as much as I dislike the “pay once, then pay again” premise of Comcast’s new online VoD startup.
Just another reason for them to get rid of the stupid cap, regardless of how large they may think it is! If I were a Comcast customer, I would call them and tell them I couldn’t use their service because I can’t afford to ration that much of my internet for their commercials, and dual income service.
Versus pays the NHL over 70 million a season so you get to pay for it with a Comcast usage cap.
Comcast upgraded my town to XFINITY last week, this is what happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg9hRZ-3heE