The Big News: Comcast is waiving the $5/month fee for it’s Xfinity Flex streaming box for existing broadband-only subscribers.
Why this matters: This allows Comcast to own the “last mile” of the video relationship with broadband-only customers. This is a game that they have been forfeiting to Roku and Amazon, until now.
Interesting: Comcast’s Giveaway Is Exactly What Steve Jobs Feared
How they will make money (beyond broadband):
1) Referral fees for streaming service sign-ups
2) Reselling a share of the ad inventory
Share of streaming video time, according to Samsung:
1) Ad-free (SVOD) – 60%
2) Ad-supported (AVOD) – 40%
Flashback: Comcast Debuts ‘Xfinity Instant TV’ Skinny Bundle for Broadband-Only Users
More #1: Targeted TV Advertising Is Taking Off
More #2: Is Comcast Competing With Roku?
More #3: Who’s who in advanced TV? How Netflix, Hulu, Roku, NBCU and others are shaping how we watch
Video: The Future of TV is Ad-Funded
