Discovery+ Heads to Xfinity Flex, X1 in Distribution Deal

Discovery Inc.’s streamer Discovery+ is heading to Xfinity Flex and X1. Beginning today, the streaming service will be available on Xfinity Flex devices. In the coming weeks, the service will also become available to consumers using X1 devices if they pay $4.99 a month to watch with ads, or $6.99 a month for an ad-free experience. Top line The deal could considerably increase Discovery+’s footprint in the U.S. The unscripted streaming service only debuted in January and is currently looking to grow its subscriber base. Comcast, the biggest pay TV provider in the U.S., had nearly 20 million subscribers in the last quarter. Discovery Inc. hasn’t released subscription numbers for Discovery+ yet, but said in February that it had more than 11 million total subscribers across all of its services, including its smaller SVOD services MotorTrend and Food Network Kitchen. (The deal will also make those smaller subscription services available on Flex on X1.) “As the definitive streaming destination for real-life storytelling, Discovery+ serves fans with an unparalleled entertainment experience and a truly differentiated offering,” Gabriel Sauerhoff, Discovery’s svp, digital distribution and commercial partnerships, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with our valued partner Comcast to provide their customers with direct and easy access to discovery+ and other applications across their industry-leading entertainment platforms–Xfinity Flex, and soon X1.” Between the lines Discovery+’s expansion to Xfinity Flex and X1 is just the latest instance of media rivals teaming up to increase scale and win over consumers. Comcast is no stranger to striking streaming partnerships; just last week, the company struck a deal with Disney+ to bring the family-focused streaming service to Xfinity Flex and X1 devices. (Already, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix and Paramount+ are available on Flex and X1.) It’s also the latest instance of Discovery+ looking to follow in Disney+’s footsteps, especially when it comes to widespread distribution deals that represent direct-to-consumer streamers’ best bet at winning over consumers with more streaming choices than ever. Bottom line Even though Comcast owns rival streaming service Peacock, the company has no problem striking deals with other streaming services to keep customers in its own viewing ecosystem. “The launch of discovery+ on Xfinity Flex, and very soon on X1, gives our customers access to more of the best entertainment from one of the newest streaming services on the market,” Rebecca Heap, svp, video and entertainment, Comcast Cable, said in a statement. “Whether a super-fan or new to their content, X1 and Flex make it easy for customers to enjoy all the great programming discovery+ has available.” Streaming With the Enemy: How Connected TV Rivals Learned to Work Together