Rogers Xfinity

[-G-]

Looks like the Rogers Ignite brand is history.  Say hello to Rogers Xfinity.  (That feels REALLY weird to type!)

https://www.rogers.com/support/tv-streaming/what-you-need-to-know-about-rogers-xfinity

My Ignite TV and HomeConnect iOS apps updated to ones with the new branding.  I was really hoping to see the new Rogers Xfinity Stream (TV app) on Apple TV (and other streaming platforms) but, sadly, that was not the case.

[Rick303]

I don't think you are missing anything - the word Marketing says it all.

Apps have a new splash screen but under the hood, nothing has changed. Modems / gateways haven't changed.

Rogers already had license / rights for Xfinity from Comcast but they would like you to believe they are spending more ( from their 526 Million $ quarterly profit ) but they are not.  Trying to justify the STB price increase I guess.

[wayner92]

Another reason to make this change - perhaps Rogers has to pay extra for remotes that have a "ROGERS" button rather than an "xfinity" button.  Economies of scale, increase profit margins.

[-G-]

For the last 5+ years, our TV experience has been pretty stagnant, and there actually could be some significant changes coming that would justify a rebrand of Ignite TV.  More intelligence and personalization, per-user profiles, better picture quality, a faster encoding pipeline, etc.  Supposedly, those are some of the things that the next generation Entertainment OS will offer.  They are hoping to bring a new/fresh experience to discovering and consuming content on TV.

[57]

Just as an FYI, @-G- provided the following information a few months back for those interested in knowing more about what the future may hold:

https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Ignite-TV/What-exactly-is-Entertainment-OS-and-how-is-it-diffe...

[-G-]

Just went to https://www.xfinity.com/ and saw this:

The "Shop Rogers Xfinity" button just takes you to https://www.rogers.com/ 

I'm still not sure what to make of Rogers adopting the Xfinity branding.  I don't see signs of any other Comcast syndication partners doing so.  I wonder what other news we may be seeing in the near future about the Rogers/Comcast relationship deepening even further.

[-G-]

Here's the first "new" piece of hardware introduced since the Xfinity rebrand: https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Rogers-Xfinity-TV/Easy-set-up-guide-how-to-set-up-and-install-...

The set-top box is still an XiOne but should now be running Entertainment OS.

In the US market, there are different versions of the XiOne circulating, some with faster, updated hardware.  No way to tell what version/variant we are getting.

Note the new XR100 remote, what they call the Rogers Xfinity Voice Remote.  (Also note that it appears to have Rogers branding, not "Xfinity".)

While this is STB is for the Rogers Streaming service, it looks like they are also in the middle of updating the Xfinity TV support page, so we may yet see new hardware for Xfinity TV.

[Chuttt]

I’m sorry but for one more time if anyone from Roger’s is listening, what we need is an app on Apple TV box, Fire sticks, Google TV etc. I rather pay a few more $ on the monthly than having yet another set top box to manage. It’s about the experience. What part of this they don’t understand ?!?!

[-G-]

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@Chuttt wrote:
I’m sorry but for one more time if anyone from Roger’s is listening, what we need is an app on Apple TV box, Fire sticks, Google TV etc. I rather pay a few more $ on the monthly than having yet another set top box to manage. It’s about the experience. What part of this they don’t understand ?!?!

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You also have the option of switching to Comwave, a Rogers-owned TPIA, paying less for TV and Internet, and being able to watch TV on a Fire TV streaming device.

Only Rogers can say why they still are not offering the Ignite TV app on Apple TV, or on any other streaming platforms.  This is not exclusive to Comcast customers; Videotron's Helix TV app is now available on Apple tvOS and other platforms and smart TVs.

[Chuttt]

Thanks. If I’m gonna switch I’ll switch to Bell Fibe. They just finished installation in our area. I do have a contract with Roger’s that’s not up until Feb 2026. Then again one of my set top boxes will no longer be free by Jan 2025 and it’s $15 per month!

I’m contemplating paying the $20/mth penalty to walk away, that’s how frustrated I am and I’m not the only one.

[-G-]

FYI, Rogers and Comcast released joint Rogers Xfinity press releases today:

Rogers: Rogers Xfinity Suite of Services Now in Canada

Comcast: Rogers to Deploy Comcast’s World-Class Connectivity and Entertainment Products In Canada as Rogers X...

[seadooxp30]

"Rogers is introducing Rogers Xfinity Streaming"

Yes I see that for PC but where is Apple TV app???

[-G-]

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@seadooxp30 wrote:

"Rogers is introducing Rogers Xfinity Streaming"

Yes I see that for PC but where is Apple TV app???

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Maybe we can take this as a sign that it could be coming soon???

When Rogers Ignite TV launched, Comcast had two TV offerings: Xfinity TV, that was watched on a set-top box, and a streaming TV offering, that they called Xfinity Stream, that did not not require a set-top box.  Comcast later launched Xfinity Flex, a streaming service that required a set-top box, which Rogers also did and called Ignite SmartStream, which later became Ignite Streaming.

I did not know what to make of "Rogers Xfinity Stream" app.  The app was formerly called Rogers Ignite TV.  Rogers has renamed "Rogers Ignite TV" to "Rogers Xfinity TV".  But, with the launch of an Rogers Xfinity Stream app, is that a tell that Rogers will eventually be launching a TV service that will not require an Xi6 or XiOne set-top box, with a "Rogers Xfinity Stream" app that will also run on Smart TVs and third-party set-top boxes, that can also be used by Rogers Xfinity TV customers???

Circling back a bit, Comcast Xfinity TV customers use the "Xfinity Stream" app to access their TV service on third-party devices, so Rogers' use of the "Rogers Xfinity Stream"  name for their app is consistent with Comcast's naming.  Where Rogers' Xfinity TV offering goes from here remains to be seen.

[Chuttt]

Thanks -G-.  Yes the naming consistency is encouraging. We're all using Roger's "Xfinity Stream" to access TV service from our phone, iPad and it's also working in all Macs that using Apple Silicon. I have them all installed and working. 

However, the fact that Comcast's Xfinity Stream has an Apple TV tvOS app for so long and Roger's does not have an equivalent is very curious and disappointing. I can not really think of ANY reason other than keep the Set Top Box revenue flowing.... there's no technical difficulties here. I can even hack the Comcast version in Google TV to get it working for Roger's TV. Just can't do it on Apple TV.

[seadooxp30]

I hope so 😀

so I just tested Rogers Xfinity stream app on my iPhone and there is airplay on the top right.

it works… better than nothing I guess

also airplay from iPhone to my Apple TV 4K show better quality than using Rogers x1 TV box…

[-G-]

FYI, here's the next new Rogers Xfinity product release: Storm-Ready WiFi

https://about.rogers.com/news-ideas/rogers-xfinity-introduces-storm-ready-wifi/