Comcast Betas Aggressively Uninteresting New Streaming Service

Confirming several years worth of rumors, Comcast has announced the company is introducing a new streaming video service called "Stream." According to the Comcast announcement, the new service will launch first as a beta in Boston at the end of the summer, before moving to Chicago and Seattle before the end of the year. Comcast then hopes to deploy the service to its entire footprint sometime in early 2016.

The $15 a month service will let users stream content from HBO, Fox, NBC, and other networks on laptops, tablets, and phones -- but only inside the home.

Comcast's previous streaming effort, Streampix, was shuttered after the company admitted that few users were interested. That service was a $5 add on, only available to customers with existing Comcast TV service.

This service is a $15 add on, only available to customers with Comcast Xfinity broadband service. Cable operators walk a fine line between offering a service that can keep customers from cutting the cord, and offering a disruptive, compelling service that actually encourages customers to go streaming only.

Given the limited channel lineup (many channels, like ESPN and AMC are missing), the price point, the fact you can't stream to your television, and can't stream beyond your Wi-Fi network -- Comcast's solved that dilemma by apparently offering a streaming service that's almost painfully uninteresting.

Interested users can sign up here to be notified by Comcast of broader availability.