Comcast has finally taken the wraps off of Instant TV, the company's new streaming video skinny bundle. According to the company's website, the service includes a lineup of local broadcast networks, a video on demand library and a cloud DVR with 20 hours of storage for $20 per month (plus taxes and fees, which vary by region). Technically a paid beta launch, Comcast says the service will be rolling out to the company's internet-only customers over the next two weeks. Users can check out a free thirty-day trial if they're looking to kick the wheels of the new service.
According to the
Instant TV FAQ, users can also add the following channel packages on to their lineup:
• Kids and Family ($10 per month) - Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Freeform, MTV, National Geographic Channel, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, NickToons, Universal Kids, TeenNick and TLC.
• Entertainment ($15 per month) - A&E, AMC, Animal Planet, BET, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, E!, Food Network, FX, FXX, Hallmark Channel, HISTORY, HGTV, Lifetime, OWN, Syfy, TBS, TNT, TV One, USA and VH1.
• Sports and News ($30 per month) - CNBC, CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN News, ESPNU, Fox Business, Fox News, Fox Sports 1, Golf Channel, MSNBC, NBC Sports, NFL Network and Regional Sports Networks based on markets.
Traditionally, companies like Comcast haven't tried very hard to provide or promote these cheaper, less expensive alternatives, for fear of cannibalizing higher-priced legacy cable customers looking to downgrade to save money. But as cord cutting has accelerated, many cable providers realize they don't have much of a choice -- and actually need to respond to the customer demand for less expensive, more flexible programming options.
Still, it's likely there's some hidden caveats included to try and prevent customers from downgrading to this less expensive option. If you're able to sign up for this service, let us know what they are in the comment section below.
The service won't count against Comcast usage caps, giving it a notable market advantage over competing services. Comcast insists this isn't a net neutrality violation because the service runs over a managed IP network -- and not the open internet (albeit with net neutrality rules on the chopping block, even disengenuous distinctions like this may soon be irrelevant).
Comcast's
FAQ has additional detail for those interested.