Comcast Opens Flex to Modems and Gateways Purchased at Retail

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Comcast has further opened availability of its Xfinity Flex streaming device to broadband subscribers who have purchased their own modems and gateways at retail.

The disclosure was made in a Comcast post on the DSL Reports message board and first reported by Light Reading.

Last month, numerous tech blogs took Comcast to task, asserting that the supposedly “free” Flex streaming video service actually costs $13 a month, once CPE lease pricing was considered.

Related: Comcast Makes Xfinity Flex Streaming Box and Voice Remote Free to Internet Only Customers

Xfinity Flex users are given at no cost an Xi6 streaming client, a 4K-capable device which is compatible with apps for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, YouTube, ESPN3, Epic and Showtime. Comcast said Hulu compatibility is coming soon, and the device can play music via Pandora, iHeartRadio and XITE. There’s also news via NPR One and Cheddar News.

Comcast has licensed a version of Flex to Cox Communications, which also licenses a white label version of Comcast’s X1 video platform, from which Flex is derived.

Charter Communications also said that it’s kicking the tires on Flex. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!