Comcast Launches XFinity TV with Video Bundle | Forbes

In his regular column for Forbes, Nelson F. Granados, PhD, assesses the launch of Comcast's XFinity Instant TV service. Dr. Granados is an Associate Professor of Information Systems and Director of the Center for Applied Research at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, and Co-Director of the Institute of Entertainment, Media, and Culture at Pepperdine University.

According to Dr. Granados, Xfinity Instant TV is aimed at "cord cutters" who have cancelled cable service and "cord nevers" who have never had cable TV, but do have Comcast internet service. At $18/month, Xfinity Instant TV is offering this audience what is essentially a trial of a TV bundle, "which could be a stepping stone to a larger, more traditional TV bundle," says Laura Martin, senior equity analyst at Needham for entertainment and internet. Framed this way, Dr Granados says Instant TV could do well as a value-added offering, but with consumers somewhat confused about what streaming "skinny bundles" are, Comcast and fellow competitors must have a solid plan for the launch of a full streaming version of products.