Jumping into a growing list of competitors offering a product mostly focused on TV sports and/or news content, Comcast has launched a new hybrid video package -- Sports & News TV.
The $70-a-month package from the legacy pay TV provider offers more than 50 broadcast, cable news and sports channels, a subscription to NBCU’s streamer Peacock, and access to more than 100 free streaming channels for those who bundle it with Comcast’s Xfinity internet service.
Analysts believe what will eventually remain of legacy, live linear TV will be live programming with a focus on sports and news.
The Comcast package includes news channels such as CNN, Fox, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo and Univision, and sports channels ESPN, FS1 (Fox Sports 1), Golf Channel and others.
Sports & News will include every local broadcast channel including ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo and Univision.
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Consumers can add more content including Comcast's' ‘More Sports & Entertainment’ package, which includes NFL RedZone, MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network for $9.95. For an additional $15 they can add premium streamers, via the Xfinity StreamSaver package, which includes Netflix and Apple TV+.
This comes as legacy pay TV providers -- and other media companies look to figure out new products that offer lower priced "skinnier" bundles -- particularly ones that offer sports.
Recently, Walt Disney, Fox Corp, and Warner Bros. abandoned their Venu Sports, after a lawsuit was filed by virtual pay TV provider Fubo TV.
Fubo and other pay TV providers, such as DirecTV warned that sports-focused services from major media content producing companies violate antitrust laws.
A week ago, DirecTV launched a skinny sports-focused TV network package called MySports, for $69.99 a month. A $49.99 promotional offer is available first the three months.
The streaming package of 40 sports and broadcast TV channels will initially be offered in 24 markets -- including major markets in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco-Oakland.
Sports TV channels will include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, TruTV and USA Network.