Comcast Streampix, No Threat To Netflix

[admin]

Comcast has announced the launch of a streaming media service called Xfinity Streampix that’s positioned to compete directly with Netflix. Streampix will be priced at just $5 per-month compared to Netflix’s $8 service – borrowing a page from the book of Microsoftian tactics, many Comcast customers will get Streampix for free when bundled with other services. While armchair analysts predict a Netflix demise, its stock has declined for the past two days on news that it has a new heavy-hitting competitor. But we’ll boldly predict Netflix isn’t going anywhere anytime soon and here’s why…

Discuss "Comcast Streampix, No Threat To Netflix" here. Read the article.

 

[smurphy522]

"Comcast on the other hand will bill its customers about 70-percent of the cost of Netflix for only about one-fifth the content"

Well, historically speaking on rates that Comcast charges that figure seems like a bargain!

 

[jinjuku]

If Comcast was offering this to the public at large at a 30% discount that would be one thing. But they are simply adding this on as another premium channel to their service. Still goes locally over their cable. Just like all their other Content. The amount of viewing that users will do off network is probably in a 1-2% range.

I'm on Insight how do I get their service for $5/Month? Will they bring out a plug-in for Windows Media Center like Netflix?

 

[scott911]

Streampix isn’t essentially Comcast’s on-demand video through the Internet

"is" right?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Netflix are the only ones doing something what resembles disruptive for cable TV... The rest of players simple don't have the resources to do so...

Now, if Google would able to really get a foot inside the big content game (so far hugely unsuccessful) - This would be grand. With recent FCC filing and interest to stream TV over it's 1Gig fiber network it's hope inspiring that Google is moving in right direction after it's Google TV failure.

That said - Does anyone still remember who Vonage are? Big Cable simply killed them by offering same service in the "bundle", Streampix might a weak first attempt, but i'm sure it will (and similar offering from other cable providers) expand to further damage Netflix

 

[bootman]

If Comcast was offering this to the public at large at a 30% discount that would be one thing. But they are simply adding this on as another premium channel to their service. Still goes locally over their cable. Just like all their other Content. The amount of viewing that users will do off network is probably in a 1-2% range.

The offering this service to non-Comcast customers is the next step.
The pricing however will be a little higher than 5 but less than 8.

As far as available content, that too is going to grow.
Comcast now has access to the entire Disney library, along with all of its Universal content.

This is only a baby step.

 

[jinjuku]

That said - Does anyone still remember who Vonage are? Big Cable simply killed them by offering same service in the "bundle", Streampix might a weak first attempt, but i'm sure it will (and similar offering from other cable providers) expand to further damage Netflix

I'm sure when you call Vonage at 1-800-980-1455 they are going to be surprised to hear they are out of business.

 

[j_garcia]

Comcast would have to give me a REALLY good deal to come back. NOT a fan of Comcast at all any longer. The news is saying Comcast is offering this to compete with Netflix, but the way I see it is it really it is to compete with Dish now that they own Blockbuster.

Netflix already offers a $4.99 plan, however that plan is severely limited.

Vonage has HEAVY TV ad presence, so I am guessing they are still doing OK.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm sure when you call Vonage at 1-800-980-1455 they are going to be surprised to hear they are out of business.

checkout NYSE:VG for 1 year.... just saying - it's a matter of time. Will they loose ALL the biz to cable - no, but they'll remain a niche
I mentioned Vonage because the reason they still in biz since they are the biggest 3rd party consumer level Voip provider

Countless Voip providers are already gone

 

[Adam]

Comcast would have to give me a REALLY good deal to come back. NOT a fan of Comcast at all any longer.

Word. I hate cable companies in general, but I was going to give Comcast a try when I moved into my house in 2000. The cable was originally on when I moved in, but then got disconnected after the previous owner's contract ended the next month. I called them up to order service, and the kid on the phone (who was clearly eating during the call) told me that I had to be home for the install because the technician had to come into my house. I explained that I already knew that it worked perfectly on my TV because I had been watching it the week before, explained that the technician couldn't reach the wall jack unless I moved my entire entertainment center, explained my work schedule, and asked if they could just turn it on. He laughed. I hung up and have never again even considered ordering service from them.

There's a lesson in there - if you are the only person from your company that someone interacts with, then that experience is potentially how they will view your entire company.

 

[Wayde Robson]

Streampix isn’t essentially Comcast’s on-demand video through the Internet

"is" right?

yeah, good catch, my mistake.

 

[bootman]

Word. I hate cable companies in general, but I was going to give Comcast a try when I moved into my house in 2000. The cable was originally on when I moved in, but then got disconnected after the previous owner's contract ended the next month. I called them up to order service, and the kid on the phone (who was clearly eating during the call) told me that I had to be home for the install because the technician had to come into my house. I explained that I already knew that it worked perfectly on my TV because I had been watching it the week before, explained that the technician couldn't reach the wall jack unless I moved my entire entertainment center, explained my work schedule, and asked if they could just turn it on. He laughed. I hung up and have never again even considered ordering service from them.

There's a lesson in there - if you are the only person from your company that someone interacts with, then that experience is potentially how they will view your entire company.

The kid's attitude was bad, I agree 100% but if you were not there to verify your identity at the time of install, what would stop me for getting service in your name and getting it for free?

 

[j_garcia]

Word. I hate cable companies in general, but I was going to give Comcast a try when I moved into my house in 2000. The cable was originally on when I moved in, but then got disconnected after the previous owner's contract ended the next month. I called them up to order service, and the kid on the phone (who was clearly eating during the call) told me that I had to be home for the install because the technician had to come into my house. I explained that I already knew that it worked perfectly on my TV because I had been watching it the week before, explained that the technician couldn't reach the wall jack unless I moved my entire entertainment center, explained my work schedule, and asked if they could just turn it on. He laughed. I hung up and have never again even considered ordering service from them.

There's a lesson in there - if you are the only person from your company that someone interacts with, then that experience is potentially how they will view your entire company.

Kind of an unusual situation. They don't actually need to install anything in your case, but they probably could work something out to make it work. If they can turn on and off my phone and internet, then they can turn on/off my cable without having to come out. I had the same thing in the current house - cable was still on when we moved in. Had to have them come out though because I wanted it in a different room than the one where the previous people had it installed.

When I had Comcast I told them Dish is offering me MORE services: HD, two room DVR, and more channels for less than what I am paying you for basic service. What are you going to do to keep me as a customer? "Well, we can offer you a package identical to that." Except that it was going be over twice the price....I cancelled my service.

 

[shadoedove]

my experience with Streampix

Unless you receive Xfinity Streampix free with your current Comcast package, I wouldn't bother ordering it separately.

We have both Streampix and Netflix and Netflix wins hands down for content variety and quantity.

Even watching 2 hours a night of episodes of Lost on Streampix, it was pulled from the options menu before we could get through the 4th season. My mother had never seen Lost and we started watching it again with her. Needless to say, she was not impressed with Streampix.

 

[netflixisaweful]

Netflix is Aweful

I recently ran into an issue with Netflix displaying an advertisement that prevented me from playing movies in full screen. I contacted Netflix customer support. The representative sounded as if she did not care about her job or the customer's calling in. I received 5 different answers as to the reason why I was having this problem. Naturally, I got upset and foul language slipped from my tongue. The representative quickly got defensive and offered to cancel my account. Being a customer service rep for several years I was baffled, and explained to her that she has only escalated my frustration. I advanced my call to the supervisor, who intern showed absolutely zero concern for my dilemma and continued on about how Netflix does not care if I cancel my account or stay with them. My call was not to cancel my account; it was about resolving the issues of not being able to view their streaming videos in full-screen... The end result is me cancelling my account and now going to every review site I can find to express the fact that this company ultimately does not care about their users at all.
I can comfortably say, that Netflix is the anti-customer experience in entertainment.

 

[RudeX]

Signed up to try netflix for 30 days and I canceled after a week. I couldn't find anything worth watching. I do have Amazon Prime (unlimited streaming included) mainly for the two day free shipping but there nothing to watch there either.

 

[AndresCB]

Streampix sucks but not because of content

Streampix has the best content out there. But the interface and software is super glitchy for starters. And then, OMG! there are is so much advertising. And if you have to resume because the page got hung up, then you got to the same freaking ads before going back to where you were at. These people don't know what they are doing with these service. They dont want it to succeed. NO service is worth my time like this. A shame because they do have good TV shows. BUt of course, they are Comcast, home of Xfinity horrible customer experience guarantee.