Comcast’s beta launch of an Xfinity app for Roku streaming devices Tuesday was a notable move for the cable company. But when the app officially launches, it’ll come with a new item on the bill for users.
Comcast plans to charge an additional fee for Roku users who use its app, according to a report from Variety. The cable company is expected to levy its fee by considering the Roku as a secondary platform for its cable services. As Variety notes, Comcast currently charges $9.95 per month for additional devices, but offers a $2.50 credit for users who already have equipment like a TiVo set-top box.
For subscribers, the Xfinity app allows you to directly watch live and on-demand programming along with DVR recordings that are pulled from the cloud. Beta users will also need to be connected to an Xfinity home network, but Comcast hopes to expand support to subscribers on other broadband carriers. While the beta version of the application can’t be used as a standalone broadcast option and needs to be paired with Comcast hardware, the full version of the application can be used as a primary viewing device.
Current Roku devices that support the beta are the Ultra, Premiere, Express, Roku TVs in the 5000 and 6000 range, streaming sticks, Roku 4, Roku 3 and Roku 2. Comcast expects to expand support to additional Roku devices leading up to the app’s launch.
For Comcast, the move to streaming devices like Rokus are a notable push to bring its services onto third-party platforms and appeal to nontraditional cable users. It also comes days after the Federal Communications Commission shuttered plans to allow alternative cable set-top boxes like Comcast’s app for Roku devices for consumers.