The No. 1 pay-TV operator is finally going to let users of the top OTT device stream the leading premium channels.
According to an FCC document just unearthed by Re/code, Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Roku quietly reached an agreement in late November that will let the MSO's subscribers stream HBO Go and Showtime Anytime on their Roku devices.
The disclosure came as HBO announced the availability of its Go app for Amazon Fire TV devices, as well. However, according to Multichannel News, HBO Go access on Fire TV is not supported by Comcast or Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR).
A Comcast spokesperson told Multichannel that the company is in talks with Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and hopes to have a deal for HBO Go signed "very soon."
Separately, Roku announced the launch of a new "barker" channel Monday, intended to help users sort out a burgeoning array of more than 1,800 channels.
According to a company blog post, the Roku Recommends Channel will sort out "hidden gems" within the Roku Channel Store.
For more:
- read this FCC filing
- read this Re/code story
- read this Multichannel News story
- read this Roku blog post
Related links:
Parks: Roku leads the streaming video device market
Report: 10% of U.S. broadband homes purchased a streaming device in 2014
About 19% of U.S. TV viewers own one of the three top OTT devices
Amazon jumps into streaming stick segment with Fire TV dongle, buys Rooftop Media
User behavior shifts as Netflix use on consoles declines, streaming device use rises
Roku reaches 10 million in U.S. sales ... but who is No. 1 in OTT?
Chromecast usage dips, sales flatten out, report says