When Microsoft added HBO Go and Comcast Xfinity to the Xbox Live platform, subscribers who used Comcast's Xfinity service initially rejoiced.
Soon, however, their joy turned to ashes - no, a Comcast Xfinity customer could not log in and use HBO Go.
Fortunately, that's changed. Microsoft said Friday that Xfinity customers will now be able to use HBO Go next week. To access HBO GO on Xbox LIVE, customers can use the same username and password that they use for Xfinity TV on Xbox, Comcast said in a blog post.
However, Xbox users must also subscribe to the Xbox Live Gold service as well. They also must subscribe to HBO as part of their Xfinity TV subscription, Comcast said in a FAQ.
Somewhat ironically, users must also have signed up with Comcast's Xfinity cable service to use the Comcast Xfinity app. But they do not need to have Xfinity Internet service to use the HBO Go app.
Comcast on Monday noted in a blog post that customers who subscribe to Xfinity TV for Xbox will not be subject to the carrier's 250GB monthly data cap, which at least one group has criticized as a violation of net neutrality laws.
But that's not the case for HBO Go, "because the video is being delivered over the public Internet," Comcast said. "All broadband data that travels over the public Internet on our Xfinity Internet service counts against a customer's data usage threshold, regardless of the source. For example, all Internet-based video streaming and download services, including XfinityTV.com, the Xfinity TV app and nbc.com, are included in the calculation of monthly usage."
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