Charter Communications and Comcast have announced a significant change for Spectrum cable customers. The companies are phasing out traditional cable boxes in favor of the Xumo Stream Box, a new streaming device. This move is part of their strategy to simplify streaming and integrate live TV with top apps.
Starting January 30, Spectrum’s cable box rental fee will increase to $12.50 per month, up from $10.99. In contrast, the Xumo Stream Box will only cost $5 per month or $60 for an outright purchase. This change is expected to incentivize Spectrum customers to make the switch to Xumo.
Furthermore, new Spectrum customers will no longer have the option of using a cable box and will be required to opt for the Xumo Stream Box. This development follows Charter’s recent announcement that Spectrum TV Select customers now have access to Disney Plus ad-supported content for free.
The Xumo Stream Box, powered by Comcast’s Entertainment Operating System, utilizes the Spectrum TV app and connects to televisions via an HDMI cord. In addition to traditional channel browsing, the device offers hundreds of built-in apps and access to popular streaming services such as Netflix and Max.
This transition signifies a broader industry trend towards streaming and a shift away from traditional cable boxes. With the rising popularity of streaming services, Charter and Comcast’s decision to streamline their offerings reflects the evolving preferences of consumers in the entertainment landscape.
