Following an extensive trial period, Comcast said it has moved forward on the commercial launch of “Xfinity On Campus,” a multiscreen, IP-based video service that is tailored for college students and accessible on Web browsers and select tablets and smartphones. Comcast is using the authenticated service, which is powered by Comcast’s cloud-based X1 platform, to make a pay-TV connection with tech-savvy, on-the-go college students, a group that is accustomed to consuming video on mobile devices and to be among those likely to have cut the cord or have not previously subscribed to a pay-TV service.
Comcast today formally announced a new service that will let college students at seven universities stream live TV and video on-demand programming across their personal laptops, smartphones, and tablets while connected to campus Wi-Fi. Dubbed Xfinity On Campus, the service is included as part of each student’s room and board fees — which means it’s also only available to those residing in on-campus housing. The whole effort is squarely aimed at millennials who are spending more and more time watching their favorite shows and movies away from a TV set. Comcast wants to get these younger college viewers — many of whom are perfectly content living in a world of Netflix, Hulu Plus, and shared HBO Go logins — hooked on cable in hopes that ultimately they’ll become paying customers once they’ve graduated. 80 live channels are bundled in, and Comcast says it’s checked off every major broadcast network along with favorites like AMC, FX, Comedy Central, and ESPN. Assuming they weren’t already “borrowing” a family member’s HBO Go credentials, students will also have the option of paying a bit extra for HBO, Showtime, and Starz.