Now three major cable providers in the US will be offering a new alternative to what we would call traditional cable TV boxes. Also known as set-top boxes, because they used to sit on top of our big old heavy as a boulder cube TVs. For years the boxes were the one and only way to receive and decode cable TV signals, but with Internet delivery modernizing the way we receive TV companies are adjusting and offering new options to customers. Spectrum Customers were the first to chance to start using the new option. Charter explained the new offering saying;
“The Xumo Stream Box is the primary video device Spectrum will be providing to customers going forward. It delivers a next-generation entertainment experience that is integrated with the customer’s cable TV services on a level not seen on other platforms. Traditional set-top boxes will remain available to customers who request one.”
Charter, Mediacom Communications, and Comcast customers can soon be rid of the clunky devices. This means that signing up for cable TV will no longer require a box with multiple cords and plugs. In its place will be the new XUMO box.
“Mediacom’s decision to partner with Xumo further validates the unique value proposition we can offer to operators looking to maintain an entertainment-centric
What is a Xumo Box?
The Xumo box is just another streaming device like other on the market (Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast or Apple TV.) It is called a Xumo Box because the company behind it, Comcast, owns one of the free streaming pioneers. That company is Xumo. It started as an app for multiple platforms as an ad-supported streaming platform with a wide range of free on-demand and curated content. This app can still be found on multiple platforms under its new name “Xumo Play”. The Xumo box on the other hand is a proprietary streaming box running a new streaming operating system designed to deliver Spectrum and Xfinity live TV packages identicle to the packages received via cable boxes, while also providing a gateway to other mainstream streaming options like Netflix.
Why the new device with so many others on the market?
The option allows the providers to continue to deliver what customers might call traditional cable while also giving them the convenience of streaming services all from one place. By making its own box it also avoids future conflicts about cariaige fees and advertising issues that have led to apps like YouTube TV, Fox owned streaming apps and others being shuttered while issues are worked out. With a Xumo box Spectrum and Xfinity customers will not be at risk of losing their primary TV provider while cooperate giants argue it out.
New Box Will Require Internet
If customers want to use the Xumo box they will have to be Internet customers as well. While I am sure many people who get TV services bundle the Internet with it, it is possible to get one without the other. This move will coninue to point customers towards high speed Internet.
- Leading with live: Upon startup, Xtream Internet customers will see live video from Xumo Play, the device’s primary video service app. Additionally, the built-in channel guide makes browsing through Xumo Play’s 300+ channels a seamless part of the experience.
Features of the Xumo Box include:
- Hundreds of built-in apps: Xumo Stream Box comes with the ability to access hundreds of subscription-based and ad-supported streaming apps, including Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Peacock, Pluto, Prime Video, Tubi, Xumo Play and more.
- Seamless browsing: A curated, content-forward viewing experience that blends AI-driven personalization and human-led editorial recommendations to help customers find something to watch without having to jump in and out of apps.
- Universal voice search: Emmy-award winning voice technology allows customers to discover content quickly from available apps and services with a simple voice command into the remote.
- Favorite lists for every member of the household: With My List, customers can create multiple lists of their favorite shows and movies – regardless of where that content resides or how it’s delivered (live or on-demand) – giving every member of the family a personalized destination to quickly jump into what they want to watch next.
