Comcast Launches TVplanner

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There was a fair bit of conversation at the recent Cable IPTV conference around how Comcast is approaching competition from online video services. Part of the approach involves having its own online video destination, (see news about the upcoming launch of Fancast), and the other part involves using the Internet to push subscribers to cable TV services. The launch of Comcast’s TVplanner definitely falls under that second category.

The functionality is simple (and non-revolutionary) and therefore extremely easy to use. Plug in your zip code, select your television service and voila! Up comes your TV guide. Next Comcast will undoubtedly add a feature for programming your DVR to record the shows you find. Off the Internet you go and back on to the cable TV network.

8 thoughts on “Comcast Launches TVplanner”

  1. When I visit Comcast.com and put in my zip they have no channel lineup at all. When I visit TVplanner.Comcast.com and put in my zip, it appears to be the Tribune data… Comcast moved and added several channels on 5/15 and these updates are not reflected. :/

  2. Tell me why this capability is not within their DVR.

    This is just stupid that for a real Search you have to go on the Computer and then set your DVR.

    Comcast has no clue. Just look at TiVo and FiOS 2.0. Now that is how to do Search.

    Wake up Comcast!

  3. Being able to program a DVR across the net is an obvious feature that should be included. Of course, others have enabled this ability already (networked TiVo’s) and with a Sling box both control and program viewing is possible.

  5. Just pay $800 for the Tivo box plus an extra monthly subscription. If enough people we’re willing to do that then the service would exist.

  7. Believe me, if you think that’s bad……

    Comcast recently re-released TVPlanner, under the FanCast engine. Same old problem, but now with less functionality! The search engine is even more useless, and the new engine doesn’t allow you to alter your TV listings by favorite channels (if you’re more interested in, say, Cartoon Network, PBS, and Sci-Fi Channel, you now have to scroll all over the place rather than condense the listings.

    That does it. Comcast has lost their complete minds!

  8. Quoth the Reason:
    “Just pay $800 for the Tivo box plus an extra monthly subscription. If enough people we’re willing to do that then the service would exist.”

    Oh sure, we can do that.

    Now where am I going to get $800 plus fees?

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