Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

Rapid TV News

Comcast Stream: Where’s the value prop?

The service is being compared to DISH Network's $20-a-month Sling TV, which is a skinny TV package with about 20 cable networks in its core package.

"This service is part of a larger trend of pay-TV providers trying to come to terms with the new world of video service competition," says Brett Sappington, director of research at Parks Associates. "In offering access to a small set of linear channels, Comcast's new service is similar to Dish Network's Sling TV. Unlike Sling TV, however, Stream will only be available to Xfinity internet customers and not to the general public. Bell Canada's CraveTV is an example of another OTT video service from an operator that is only available to current pay-TV or broadband subscribers."

However, Stream is mostly focused on offering broadcast network access — a differentiator in the OTT world when paired with an array of cable nets. As it is, the service is basically replicating what people can get over-the-air for free with an antennae, only accessible via Web and mobile. And, it’s not true OTT, because to access it requires that the customer also be an Xfinity broadband subscriber.

From the article "Comcast Stream: Where’s the value prop?" by Michelle Clancy.

Previously In The News

US pay-TV subscribers embrace cloud DVR

More than 45% of US pay-TV subscribers are interested in cloud DVR technology, according to research from Parks Associates. In particular, consumers are interested in unlimited storage space an...

More than half of Americans subscribe to OTT

It would appear that over-the-top (OTT) has truly crossed the proverbial chasm in the US with 55% of broadband households subscribing to such services according to research from Parks Associates....

Half of pay-TV subs with HBO OTT would cut the cord

HBO's prospects for picking up a new audience with a standalone streaming service are looking pretty good: about 17% of US broadband households are likely to subscribe to an over-the-top (OTT) vide...

US online pay-TV households set to double

“In 2017, 14% of non-pay-TV households were planning to subscribe to a service in the next 12 months, a notable increase from 2015 and 2016,” said Parks Associates senior director of research Brett...