Xfinity customers will soon have more options to access their cable TV service without a set-top box thanks to a new developer program that Comcast launched today. The program will allow manufacturers to integrate the new Xfinity TV Partner app into smart TVs, streaming sticks and other devices.
The app will launch first on select Samsung TVs and Roku devices, and will offer access to the Xfinity TV guide, live and on demand programming, and DVR recordings stored in the cloud. It's built with HTML5, though Comcast says it will be willing to adapt it for manufacturers whose devices don't support that standard.
Comcast's existing Xfinity TV apps have already been downloaded 23 million times, according to Senior Vice President Mark Hess. He said that the new developer app will help Comcast meet the demand for streaming TV, and is the company's answer to the FCC's recently-proposed plan that would allow third parties to sell alternatives to TV providers' set-top boxes.
"In light of the success of the apps-based model in the marketplace, the far-reaching government technical mandate being currently proposed by the FCC is unnecessary," Hess wrote in a blog post. "The FCC's proposed set-top box mandate threatens to undermine this highly-dynamic marketplace, create substantial costs and consumer harms, and will take years to develop -- only to be likely outdated by the time it reaches the marketplace – all in an effort to achieve what apps are already delivering for consumers."
It's unclear if the Xfinity partner app will offer the full traditional viewing experience offered by set-top boxes, though. Comcast's announcement was vague as to the exact content offerings, mentioning only "live and on demand programming, including local broadcast, cable and premium networks." Spokespeople for the FCC and Comcast did not immediately respond to requests for comment.