SVOD Services Lineup
Comcast® has made available the subscription VOD service, CuriosityStream™ into its set-top box VOD platform and MSOs Xfinity® Stream app and portal. Th service is added to its subscription VOD service that customers can access for an additional fee of $5.99 per month. This marks one of the best cable deals of the year, as it will enable Comcast® subscriber’s access to the wide range of documentaries and informative programming offered by CuriosityStream™. It is the first time that CuriosityStream™ is engaged with a distribution deal with an MVPD.
Started in 2015, CuriosityStream™ is a standalone OTT service that has eventually expanded into other notable distribution platforms like Amazon Channels and VRV. CuriosityStream™ has stated that it will roll out its service through the platform in HD resolution. The SVOD service, however, expressed optimism for the next year as they plan to offer their contents in 4K resolution currently available in their library. Besides, the SVOD service is not delivered through OTT to the subscriber within the distribution agreement with Comcast®.
Due to this, CuriosityStream™ does not fall under the internet usage policies put forward by Comcast®. The recently concluded deals with Comcast® and VRV have resulted in an increase in their subscriber base although the service has not released the official numbers. The service is available under its direct-to-customer OTT subscription plans as CuriosityStream’s Premium tier consisting of both 4K and HD for $11.99 per month. The Standard and Basic tier is available for $5.99 and $2.99 per month
Set-Top Box VOD Platform
Subscribers of Comcast® pay TV can easily access the service through voice control by saying “curiositystream” in their X1 voice remote or through the Xfinity® app/portal. Besides, the legacy and new X1 set-top boxes of Comcast® would also have this SVOD service. According to CuriosityStream™, its service will include more than 1700 files and series in the next year. It is currently offering popular shows like David Attenborough’s Life On Earth, Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places, Prescription: Nutrition, and Deep Time History.
Chief distribution officer for CuriosityStream™, Clint Stinchcomb said, “Joining Xfinity® On Demand’s strong lineup marks an exciting day for CuriosityStream™. We’ve designed our service to make it as easy as possible for subscribers to find the content they most like, in the interests they are the most passionate. That’s what this collaboration is all about. The innovative X1 platform harnesses technology to seamlessly deliver what viewers want, when they want it, changing the way people experience TV.”
Comcast® has also added relatively new services to its SVOD platform such as FitFusion for $6.99 per month and TumbleBooksTV available for $4.99 per month. Recently, it has also integrated many of the OTT services like YouTube, Netflix, and Pandora in its popular X1 platform.
