Comcast and Roku have jointly announced that beta testing of the new Xfinity TV app has begun on select Roku devices in the U.S.
Previously, Comcast’s multiscreen video app has only been available on iOS and Android mobile devices. This is the first time that the app, which allows customers to experience their full cable package without using a proprietary Comcast set-top, has been available on a connected TV device.
“Featuring an immersive guide with rich graphics, imagery, personalized recommendations and detailed information for tens of thousands of movies and TV shows, the app will allow Xfinity TV customers to watch live and on demand programming, including local broadcast and public educational and governmental channels, as well as their cloud DVR recordings, delivered over Comcast’s secure private managed network, on Roku devices in the home,” said Andrew Ferrone, VP of pay-TV for Roku, in a joint statement.
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The app can be downloaded from the Roku Channel Store. Initially, however, the Xfinity TV beta app will only run on newer model Roku devices.
Comcast said it will officially launch the Xfinity TV app later this year.
Ironically, Comcast made this announcement as the FCC officially killed former agency Commissioner Tom Wheeler’s proposal to require pay-TV operators to distill their services in multiscreen apps that could work on a wide variety of third-party devices.
Meanwhile, all the way back in April of last year, Comcast announced that it had partnered with Roku to launch an Xfinity TV app for connected devices.
"Roku is one of the largest providers of streaming TV devices and an innovative pioneer in the space, and we are thrilled to provide Xfinity TV customers with access to their subscription across Roku devices," said Mark Hess, senior VP at Comcast Cable at the time. "We want to give our customers the ability to watch what they want, when and where they want, and we will continue to explore new partnerships to bring Xfinity TV content and user experience to even more retail devices."