Audio Video News

Comcast has introduced a streaming service called Fancast Xfinity TV. It will feature shows previously unavailable online.

The operation was originally named Comcast On Demand Online. Beta testing began over the summer. Initially only Concast video and internet subscribers will be to access Xfinity TV through the fancast.com and comcast.com sites. However, Comcast says it plans eventually to offer the service through other ISPs.

Though other major cable operators have similar plans for subscriber-only online video services, Comcast is the first to launch one. Xfinity TV will feature 27 networks including A&E, AMC, Discovery Channel, History, TLC, and TNT, some of which are not available on rival Hulu. Comcast cable TV customers who subscribe to premium channels will be able to access that material with both new and old shows.

The news comes just as Comcast, the largest cable operator in the U.S., has swallowed up NBC Universal. Critics of the deal have suggested that Comcast might use NBC Universal's network and cable TV channels for exclusives or charge exorbitant rates to rivals for carrying them.

See Comcast blog.