• by Wayne Friedman , October 5, 2023

Putting it on a path to compete with Roku, Amazon Fire TV and others in the growing streaming TV world, Comcast Corp./Charter Communications is offering a new streaming set-top device, Xumo Stream Box.

The device, priced at $60, can access most major subscription streaming apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, Max, Peacock, Tubi, and Pluto TV, among “hundreds” of other built-in apps.

Additionally, it will also allow access to those legacy pay TV companies streaming branded services -- Spectrum TV app (from Charter) and Xfinity Stream app (from Comcast). The device will be powered by a new service technology from Comcast, the ‘Entertainment Operating System’ (OS).

The product claims to offer quick access to on-demand or streaming content, as well as “seamless” discovery of new programming. 

Xumo has been around since 2011 -- as a free ad-supported streaming television service, and as an advertising video on demand (AVOD) service, Xumo Play.

Comcast bought Xumo in February 2020. In April 2022, Comcast said it would contribute Xumo to a joint venture with Charter. 

Earlier this year, it announced Xumo would have its own branded TV sets, Xumo TV -- smart TV sets made by Hisense and Element.

This is a similar move to what Roku and Amazon have done in the past -- first, with their own co-branded smart TV sets (with existing TV manufacturers). More recently, both have separately started up solely branded Roku and Amazon TV sets. 

To boost new consumers, Xumo will give one Xumo Stream Box to new Spectrum TV customers free for one year. Existing Spectrum internet and TV customers can obtain the device via "purchase or for a service fee."

The companies plan to offer Xumo Stream Box to Xfinity Internet homes soon.