Comcast launches Streampix video service

With the launch this week of Xfinity Streampix, Philadelphia's Comcast Corp. is jumping into an increasingly crowded and competitive market for subscription streaming video services and adding to the pressure on Netflix Inc.

Comcast said Tuesday that Streampix would be included in many Xfinity packages that include Internet, cable, and telephone services, as well as in certain video/high-speed Internet packages.

Certain other customers can add the service, which offers past full seasons of 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy, and other TV series, plus movies and children's programming, for $4.99 a month.

Comcast said it reached licensing deals with the Disney-ABC Television Group, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, and Cookie Jar Entertainment.

Netflix, facing new rivals in streaming video, said Tuesday it had reached an agreement with Weinstein Co. for rights to stream the Academy Award-nominated movie The Artist and other programming.

Streampix service joined Dish Network Corp.'s Blockbuster Movie Pass in offering a subscription service to their pay-TV customers. Other streaming players include Time Warner Inc.'s HBO unit, online retailer Amazon.com, and Hulu L.L.C.

Verizon Communications is teaming up with Coinstar Inc's Redbox DVD rental kiosk business for a joint streaming and DVD service that will be available to anyone in the United States with a broadband-Internet connection.