YouTube TV, Google’s virtual MVPD, is making its debut on Comcast Xfinity Flex, the cable operator’s streaming device and platform for broadband-only subscribers.
The service—which joins other vMVPDs including Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV on Flex—is also available on Comcast’s newly released XClass smart TVs. New and existing YouTube TV customers can access the service on Flex by saying “YouTube TV” into the Xfinity Voice Remote or by clicking on the app.
“The launch of YouTube TV on Flex is another example of how we surround our broadband service with value, giving our customers access to all their preferred content and subscriptions on one device powered by our award-winning entertainment and voice platform,” said Colin Petrie-Norris, senior vice president of Consumer Entertainment at Xfinity, in a statement.
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The launch comes during a relatively busy week for YouTube TV. On Monday, the service kicked off a new partnership with Frontier Communications, which is offering its customers YouTube TV for $10 off per month for 12 months, bringing the cost down to $54.99.
“This partnership with YouTube TV gives our customers the opportunity to cut the cord and still watch the live and on-demand content they love,” said John Harrobin, executive vice president of consumer at Frontier, in a statement. “Customers can now enjoy our fiber-optic broadband service plus YouTube TV for the best price available in the market.”
On Wednesday, Google and Roku reached terms for a new distribution agreement, ending a lengthy battle over carriage terms and ensuring that YouTube and YouTube TV will continue to be available to new and existing Roku users.
Roku’s 56 million monthly active users make it a crucial access point for all streaming services but Flex could also provide a boost for YouTube TV’s subscriber base, which is estimated to be around 4 million. As of mid-May, Comcast had deployed 3.5 million Flex devices. Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson said at a MoffettNathanson investor conference that about half of the customers with Flex devices were regular active users of the platform.