Can you watch Live TV on Xfinity Stream?
Xfinity Stream: Can You Watch Live TV?
Xfinity Stream is Comcast’s TV streaming application that enables high speed internet subscribers to watch live television programs, catch up on shows on demand, or even access recordings saved in the cloud using multiple gadgets. Xfinity Stream is an application where you can watch most of the television channels you would normally find on cable without a cable subscription. But what about live TV? The ability to watch news, sporting events, and other programs as they are being aired using Xfinity Stream?
Yes, Xfinity Stream does offer live television, but it is a more limited experience than a complete cable package.
Here’s what you need to know about streaming live TV with Xfinity Stream:
Which Devices Support Live Streaming Of TV?
To stream live content on Xfinity Stream, you'll need to use one of the following supported devices:To stream live content on Xfinity Stream, you'll need to use one of the following supported devices:
- Streaming experiences on the Xfinity Stream app for Roku devices
- xfinity stream application for mobile phones using iOS and android.
- Xfinity Flex 4K streaming box The app and streaming platform are optimized for the Xfinity Flex 4K streaming box for your streaming needs.
- With compatible web browsers on the computer, there is an Xfinity Stream Portal.
This, however, is not possible because streaming live programming is not yet offered for Xfinity TV Packages Stream for Xbox or the stand-alone app for Smart TVs. It also has limitations in terms of compatibility with mobile devices only and not the ability to cast from mobile devices such as phone or tablets.
What Channels Are Available?
Compared to other cable packages that are offered by Xfinity, there are far more limited channels offered by Xfinity Flex. Nonetheless, you will obtain significant broadcast stations of ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS among others. There is also something of an acceptable range of what would be considered mainstream cable television, however, the availability of such channels is dependent on your area.
Here are some of the live cable channels that you can expect to find with Xfinity Stream including ESPN, FX, TBS, TNT, USA, Bravo, and E!. For example, all of the following networks are included in the cable subscription: Hallmark Channel, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, and many others. Local affiliate feed for the national channels are provided in the following wherever available.
But as a side note, not all the channels available on Xfinity Stream are available if you were to subscribe to a complete Xfinity TV subscription plan. Most evidently, many programs and services are missing, especially in the sports, news, and premium channel categories. Consequently, some networks like NFL Network, regional sports networks, CNBC, Fox News, HBO, Showtime, and Starz are excluded.
Is watching local sports and news possible?
In some of the designated market areas (DMAs), there are regional sports networks that have the rights to MLB, NBA, NHL teams in the Xfinity Stream. This enables fans to view live games as they are being played in cases where the live stream option is available.
Only for news, instead of CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC which are not available, you can watch the live streams of your local affiliate news stations if available in your area. This includes the major network affiliates for the ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox networks as well. Is it so that you can be in touch with the latest happening in your locality including weather, news and events.
However, in many regions regional sports and even local news channels are not visible because of limitations of programming. It is also important to note that the list of channels in the live channel can be significantly different between locations due to individual channel contracts.
Xfinity Stream: Does It Offer DVR Functionality?
One particular strength of Xfinity Stream is that it provides its subscribers with cloud DVR service without any additional cost. Cloud DVR allows you to store up to 20 hours of programming from your supported live channels to watch at any time on-demand.
Although the cloud DVR feature does not directly record content from streaming services, it operates like a set-top DVR to set recordings for the programs or movies that will be aired live on the streaming services. Whenever you’re ready, it can be accessed from the available recordings section of the Xfinity Stream app for viewing.
However, due to licensing, the possibility of recording may not be available for all programs that are aired. Inability to record the content will occur if it’s attempted to be recorded. And as a streaming DVR, the user can not record more than one program simultaneously or watch a show while recording another one.
Is the live TV streaming restricted?
Yes, Xfinity Stream offers the capability to watch live TV though with far fewer options compared to regular cable. Such live streams traditionally cover national broadcast networks and frequently viewed cable stations. It is usually applied to cable/satellite premium, top-tier news, regional sports networks, and numerous local channels.
The total amount of live channels which are available for viewing at a given time can also differ significantly depending on your location and the existing programming package deals with that market. And DVR functionality more or less limited compared to a set-top cable box DVR though is quite handy.
While Xfinity Stream lets you watch live and recorded shows you might otherwise get through a cable package, it is not a direct replacement service for pay TV. Those households that seek maximum channel discretion or a particular regional sports/news package may have to turn to other streaming options.
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