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Tech Report: Comcast Set To Launch Netflix Competitor

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Comcast is taking on Netflix as the telecommunications giant is set to introduce its own video subscription service.

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid said the service called Xfinity Streampix will launch later this week.

"It's going to launch on Thursday and is going to be available to Comcast customers. It will be free for those that have their high-end bundle of services," said Magid. "If you don't, you'll have to pay $5 a month extra for this service. It's going to have 75,000 movies and TV shows available. Not first-run movies and usually not this season's shows, but it will have some older titles for us."

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid:

Netflix streaming currently costs $8 per month.

Magid said that Comcast may have an advantage because they already reach so many customers.

"I think the strategy they're going to have is when you're at home, you'll access it through the On Demand area of your cable system," said Magid. "But when you're traveling, that's when you'll get it on your iPad, your phone or your computer. So it gives you the ability to peer into your cable services from outside the home."

Magid said it will be limited because for now, Comcast has initial agreements with Walt Disney, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. and NBC Universal.

You can hear Larry Magid's Tech Report Monday through Friday at 3:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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