Comcast launches finances cable streaming service NOW TV for $20 a month

Comcast is seeking to entice its web clients to enroll in a brand new streaming plan — its streaming plan, in reality.

In a press launch, the corporate introduced NOW TV, a brand new half-cable, half-streaming service that’s accessible to Comcast web clients. The service consists of “40+ stay channels from A&E, AMC, Hallmark, and Warner Bros. Discovery, plus 20+ built-in FAST channels from NBC, Sky, and Xumo Play.” It additionally features a subscription to Peacock’s premium plan.

Dave Watson, President and CEO of Comcast Cable, mentioned in an announcement that “with content material and connectivity on the core of our firm, we’re uniquely positioned to construct and ship streaming leisure choices in contrast to anything on the market at the moment.”

NOW TV is a superb instance of how our firm brings collectively its collective video experiences, modern expertise, and superior broadband service to ship a number of the greatest leisure into one reasonably priced streaming bundle.”

The corporate says that the service shall be launching “within the coming weeks” and accessible for patrons that pay for its web service. It should value $20 per thirty days and Comcast says that clients can enroll and cancel at any time — there’s no contract that it’s going to lock clients into. That’s good since actually, no different streaming service has contracts.

That is an fascinating transfer for Comcast. It looks as if it’s taking a number of the hottest items of cable, bundling it with Peacock (which it owns), and hoping that its web clients need only a piece of cable and are keen to pay a bit bit to get it. Peacock is certainly the carrot they’re dangling to entice clients to be like “Oh man, Peacock Premium is included? That’s not a lot more money then for some stay TV.”

That’s actually a strong technique. Whereas I haven’t missed stay TV in any respect, it might get individuals who miss cable to seize a bit little bit of it once more. It is also an effective way for the corporate to maintain a few of that cable cash rolling as clients proceed to maneuver away from it and in the direction of streaming providers. Good transfer, Comcast.

The corporate introduced the streaming service on the identical day that Warner Bros. Discovery formally launched Max, its HBO Max and Discovery Plus hybrid.