X

Comcast to launch OnDemand Online to select audiences

Comcast is working on a new online service tentatively called "OnDemand Online" that will be available to audiences living in Comcast TV zones by the end of 2009.

Dong Ngo SF Labs Manager, Editor / Reviews
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
Dong Ngo
2 min read

If you haven't gotten over the 250GB per month cap that Comcast instated last October, you now have another reason to be unhappy about it. Other than that caveat, the following is good news.

According to BusinessInsider, Comcast announced Friday that it's going to offer a new online service, tentatively called "OnDemand Online" that will be available by the end of this year. The service is similar to Hulu, with one major difference when it comes to content: while Hulu offers mostly TV shows from broadcast networks, Comcast's OnDemand Online will offer content from cable networks, most of which haven't been offered online yet.

Most of the content on Comcast's OnDemand Online will be available for free to Comcast subscribers, but the company doesn't rule out the possibility of pay-per-view items.

However, even if all the content is available for free, chances are you might not be able to enjoy them, as Comcast doesn't exempt streaming from OnDemand Online from its 250GB per month ration.

If you are a single and light user, this is unlikely to be a problem. However, if you share your connection with a bunch of hardcore content streamers, you will very possibly run out of gigabytes before the end of a month.

On the other hand, some of us probably won't be able to take advantage of the service at all, as it will only be available to people who live in Comcast TV areas. It will not be available to people who can't subscribe to Comcast or don't live in a Comcast zone.

You are not, however, required to use an Internet connection via Comcast service to use the new OnDemand Online.