Comcast takes aim at Netflix, Hulu Plus with new Streampix VOD service

By Andrew Couts Published February 21, 2012

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cable giant Comcast announced today the launch of its new video streaming service, Streampix. While Streampix takes direct aim at competing services like Netflix and Hulu Plus, the service will only be available to Comcast cable subscribers.

The $5-per-month service gives subscribers access to all 75,000 TV shows and movies that are currently available on Comcast’s Xfinity On Demand, XfinityTV.com, and through the Xfinity TV app. (Streampix will also be included for “free” as a package option.) Comcast says it also has plans to release versions of Streampix for the Xbox 360 and Android-powered mobile devices.

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Comcast’s Streampix launch partners include Disney-ABC, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Cookie Jar Entertainment. This provides Streampix with a number of TV series, and movies. According to the press release, Streampix selections include:

TV
“30 Rock”
“Grey’s Anatomy”
“Heroes”
“Lost”
“Married…with Children”
“The Office”
“Ugly Betty”
“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”

Movies
Analyze That
Brokeback Mountain
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ocean’s Eleven
Stuart Little
When Harry Met Sally
The Big Lebowski

Kids’ programming
“Inspector Gadget”
“Paddington Bear”
“Strawberry Shortcake”
“The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”
“Wizards of Waverly Place”

While Streampix is, on its own, cheaper than either Netflix or Hulu Plus (both of which cost about $8 a month for streaming services), we can’t see Streampix stealing away customers — mostly because you have to already pay for cable to have access to Streampix. That said, it’s possible that someone who has Comcast cable service may choose Streampix rather than sign up for Netflix, but we don’t see too many people canceling their Netflix service just because Streampix is now available.

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Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…

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