Comcast is doing their part to ensure that customers have both entertainment and educational content during time spent at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company announced they have made the on-demand catalogs from a series of premium networks and SVOD services available for their Xfinity X1 and Flex customers. Networks and services include Showtime, Epix, CuriosityStream, History Vault, Grokker Yoga Fitness and Wellbeing, The Reading Corner and DogTV.
“This is an unprecedented time and we want to be there for our customers to help make the time they’re spending at home easier with free previews from our network, studio and streaming partners,” said Rebecca Heap, SVP of video and entertainment.
To access the previews, customers can simply say “Free” into their Xfinity Voice remotes and are immediately able to browse through subscription programs being offered. Previews are available for either 30, 60 or 90 days, spanning kids educational content, fitness, TV and movies.
Comcast joins other companies in providing free entertainment to customers during this crisis. Just yesterday, WWE announced they’re unlocking their streaming service, WWE Network, and offering the vast library — including all past WrestleManias — for free.
Fans will get access to other major events such as every Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series as well as every NXT TakeOver and NXT UK TakeOver. Originals such as the “WWE 24” docu-series, “Broken Skull Sessions” with (Stone Cold) Steve Austin, “WWE Ruthless Aggression,” as well as its 20-episode predecessor “The Monday Night War,” are also available.
Amazon Prime Video also dropped their paywall on kids content. The streamer gave free access to content that was previously exclusive to Prime Video customers, including Amazon original series “Just Add Magic,” “Pete the Cat” and “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Select seasons of PBS Kids shows such as “Arthur,” “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Odd Squad” and “Wild Kratts” are also available, and in Europe, third-party content includes “Peppa Pig” and “Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom.”
Beyond free entertainment, Comcast has also taken other measures to assist the public during this time. The company has opened Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country to anyone who needs them for free (including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers). They have also paused data plans, created a COVID-19 news destination on X1 and Flex, and made their Internet Essentials program free for new families for the first 60 days of enrollment.