Comcast has launched a beta version of its Xfinity Stream app that will let Samsung smart TV owners use their Comcast pay TV subscription without leasing a set-top box.
Samsung was the first “partner” announced back in April 2016 for the Xfinity TV Partner Program, which uses open standard technologies to provide access to Xfinity TV content and program guides on smart TVs and other IP-enabled devices obtained at retail.
With the app, Comcast-subscribing Samsung smart TV users can watch live, on demand and DVR programming, as well as local broadcast and public educational and governmental channels, all delivered over Comcast’s managed network.
Related: Comcast Launches ‘Xfinity TV Partner Program'
“In its beta format, the Xfinity Stream app for Samsung smart TVs will give customers the ability to download, use and explore the app while Comcast continues to test, improve, enhance and refine the experience to ensure it works smoothly,” said Mike Gatzke, VP of video subscription services for Comcast Cable, on a company blog post.
The Xfinity Stream app is already available for a range of Roku devices, is expected to reach Sony and LG smart TVs by the end of of the year. Also by the end of 2018, Comcast expects to have the app enabled on two-thirds of U.S. smart TVs.
“Smart TVs are absolutely part of our strategy and our vision,” Comcast’s Xfinity Services chief Matthew Strauss told Fast Company in July. “When you look at the video landscape today, there are more choices than have ever been available before at the touch of a remote. It’s a good time to be alive if you like television.”
Xfinity Stream is already available for iOS and Android.
