comcastx1

By: Nick Gambino

If you turned on your Xfinity X1 set-top-box this morning and saw a little message notifying you that you can now use Netflix, it’s not a “hoax”, you’re not the only one. It seems a beta app was pushed out to a number of customers over the past month and now we’re seeing the rollout of a full integration.

Both companies released a statement to TheWrap, “Comcast and Netflix have reached an agreement to incorporate Netflix into X1, providing seamless access to the great content offered by both companies.”

“We have 85,000 shows on demand on Comcast X1, plus all of what Netflix offers,” Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO, said earlier. “We’ve integrated them all together in the on-demand section.”
Netflix AppNow of course you still need to sign up and pay for Netflix, no getting out of that one, but you won’t have to switch devices to, let’s say, your Xbox One or Apple TV to watch Orange is the New Black or Luke Cage.

The Xfinity X1 platform offers current seasons of shows like Scandal and with Netflix you can watch earlier seasons, allowing for full show access from one device. No more Hulu ads for you.

This move is a bit surprising as Comcast and Netflix haven’t always had the friendliest of relationships. Earlier this year Comcast added fees to customers who went over a certain data limit seemingly because they’re streaming from apps like Netflix.

While back in 2014 Netflix openly opposed Comcast’s acquisition of Time Warner Cable essentially arguing that one company shouldn’t have so much power over internet usage.

Well apparently they realized it was in both their best interests to start playing nice as millions of Xfinity X1 customers will soon have access to the red and white (or is it black? I can’t keep up with these logo changes) streaming platform.

If you’re an Xfinity X1 user and don’t see the app then you’ll just have to wait until you see a notification when you turn your box on. As soon as you have access they’ll let you know. Expect it within the next month or so.

Are you excited about Netflix coming to Xfinity’s X1 platform? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Gambino is a regular script writer and tech beat reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.