Comcast recently announced a new streaming service bundle package for their TV and Internet customers. “StreamSaver” is the name of the new service and includes Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+. They are currently offering the package for $15/month. There is a second tier that includes Comcast/Xfinity’s service called “Xfinity Now” (or generally referred to simply as “NOW”) for a total of $30/month which includes the three streaming services mentioned previously and over 40 basic cable channels available through streaming only.
The StreamSaver is advertised as saving 30% or nearly $100 annually. Let’s break that down to see if there is actual value. Peacock is offered currently in two tiers, for $5.99 (soon to be $7.99) and $11.99. The lower cost tier is the one included with StreamSaver and has an abundance of ads. Similarly, the tier of Netflix service included is the current $6.99 tier, which also has ads, limits to being watchable on only two screens at once, and does not allow for full 4K HD streaming or spatial audio. Finally, for Apple TV+, there is only a single option, which individually would cost you $9.99/month. Here are those totals again:
- Peacock: $5.99 (with ads)
- Netflix: $6.99 (with ads, and with no 4K streams)
- Apple TV+: $9.99
- Total: $22.97
So compared to the $15 price for StreamSaver, you could be saving close $8 per month.
Let’s talk about some caveats. First, this bundle is only available to Comcast subscribers, so if you do not have their service or live outside of their service footprint, you cannot get it. Secondly, the $5.99 tier of Peacock is free for Comcast customers who subscribe to their higher tier internet packages, so those savings are null and void. Finally, the lower tiered services may be unattractive to those who do not want to watch ads or prefer their content in 4K. To add here, if the NOW part of the package seemed to pique your interest, please know that the local channels are not included. That means no ABC, CBS, NBC, etc. That means no local news, no network television shows, and no football on Sundays.
So is the StreamSaver really a saver for streamers? For most, no. The biggest problem is Comcast service is not available to everyone. Secondly, if you are a Comcast/Xfinity customer and enjoy high quality video without ads, then this bundle does not work for you, either. Finally, the money saving aspect is mostly true, unless you already get Peacock for free, then you are only saving about $1 per month.
Then who is the perfect customer? If you’re a Comcast customer who does not have any of these services currently and are fine with 1080p video and lots of ads, then StreamSaver is a perfect fit.