NBCUniversal’s Ad-Supported Xumo Streaming TV Service Launches in Canada

Several sources are reporting today that Xumo has officially launched in Canada in partnership with cable provider Rogers. Here's the run-down of the reports: 

(Image credit: Comcast)

Source: https://www.thestreamingadvisor.com/can-you-get-xumo-in-canada-yes-on-new-app-with-rogers/

Reported by: Ryan Downey of The Streaming Advisor:

XUMO, the ad-supported streaming TV company owned by Comcast, today announced it has launched a customized XUMO app on the Ignite Entertainment platform, available on both Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream services. The launch marks the first international expansion for the XUMO app bringing it to one of Canada’s biggest providers. The app offers over 100 free, diverse channels, including live news, fan-favorite TV shows, sports, specialty lifestyle programming, tens of thousands of free movies, and more.

“The launch of the XUMO app on Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream is an important milestone in our growing app portfolio,” noted Chris Hall, Senior Vice President, Product at XUMO. “Canadian viewers will now have access to even more free programming directly from Rogers, and it will be seamlessly integrated within the experience to make search and discovery easy.”

“We are committed to bringing together the best content available to deliver the ultimate entertainment experience for our customers,” said Myrianne Collin, Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Communications. “With the integration of XUMO, we are expanding our content library and elevating Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream as the destination of entertainment, giving more choice and unparalleled access to the most integrated free content of any other major provider in Canada.”

Highlights of the channels available within the app include Radio Canada, CBC News, XUMO Free Movies, ABC News Live, The Johnny Carson Show, Free Action Movies, America’s Test Kitchen, beIN Sports Xtra, batteryPop and more.

With the most integrated search and discovery across live TV, sports and the best streaming services, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream with the award-winning Voice Remote revolutionizes entertainment by creating a one-stop shop to access series, movies and more across genres and platforms. This innovation takes the XUMO viewing experience to the next level and gives customers more choice to discover new favourites. To get started, customers can say “XUMO” into the Voice Remote or through the app section.

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Source: https://www.mediaplaynews.com/nbcuniversals-ad-supported-xumo-streaming-tv-service-launches-in-canada/

Reported by: Erik Gruenwedel of Media Play News:

NBCUniversal June 2 announced that its ad-supported streaming TV service Xumo has launched in Canada on the Ignite Entertainment platform, available on both Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream services — the first international expansion for the Xumo app.

“The launch of the Xumo app on Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream is an important milestone in our growing app portfolio,” Chris Hall, SVP, Product at Xumo, said in a statement.

Channels available within the app include Radio Canada, CBC News, XUMO Free Movies, ABC News Live, The Johnny Carson Show, Free Action Movies, America’s Test Kitchen, beIN Sports Xtra, batteryPop and more.

“With the integration of Xumo, we are expanding our content library and elevating Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream as the destination of entertainment, giving more choice and unparalleled access to the most integrated free content of any other major provider in Canada,” added Myrianne Collin, Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers Communications.

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Source: https://www.nexttv.com/news/comcast-conducts-xumos-first-intl-expansion-via-canadian-cable-company-rogers

Reported by: Daniel Frankel of Next TV:

Comcast paid $100 million for Xumo in February 2020, amid the shopping bonanza for ad-supported streaming services that occurred a few years back.

But unlike Paramount's Global's $340 million purchase of Pluto TV and Fox's $440 million Tubi buy, we haven't heard much --nay, anything at all -- about international expansion for Xumo.

That is, until now. Sort of.

Comcast has struck a deal with Rogers Communications to put a customized version of the Xumo app on the Canadian cable operator's Comcast-designed Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream video systems.

Rogers still has more than 2 million TV/video subscribers, and the cable operator's Ignite TV is based on Comcast's X1 platform.

Xumo offers more than 200 digital channels of free, including Radio Canada, CBC News, Xumo Free Movies, ABC News Live, The Johnny Carson Show, Free Action Movies, America’s Test Kitchen, beIN Sports Xtra, batteryPop.

Comcast said Xumo had 24 million active users back in 2020, but the No. 1 U.S. cable company has been close to the vest about the platform since.

The free-to-consumer service is one of the lynchpins in the video service JV being developed by Comcast and Charter.

“The launch of the Xumo app on Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream is an important milestone in our growing app portfolio,” noted Chris Hall, senior VP of product at Xumo. “Canadian viewers will now have access to even more free programming directly from Rogers, and it will be seamlessly integrated within the experience to make search and discovery easy.”

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