Comcast’s “Free” Streaming Box Will Cost You $13/Month

By Brian Keaney · Oct 30, 2019 2 min read

Hidden Fees

The “free” streaming box that costs $13 a month

Comcast pitched Xfinity Flex as a free streaming box for internet-only customers — but the fine print ties it to a $13/month modem and router rental.

Is anything really free these days? If you’re being offered a service or product for free, you should ask yourself, what’s the catch? In the case of Comcast’s most recent offering, consumers quickly realized that, like in life, nothing at Comcast is free.

1 What Comcast Promised With Xfinity Flex

Last month, to compete in the streaming video market, Comcast announced, with great fanfare that it will make Xfinity Flex available to internet-only customers for free. Comcast customers can buy and rent shows and movies directly through the box which would allow Comcast to control the TV-watching experience of its customers who don’t pay for cable. Comcast’s plans to launch its own streaming service at a cost of $10/month next year ties into this because having control over customers streaming box could help generate subscriptions after launch.

2 The $13/Month Catch

However, it was soon discovered that there is, indeed, a catch to this “free” streaming box. In typical corporate giant fashion, Comcast didn’t disclose one important detail: it will give this box to internet-only customers who also rent a modem and router from the company for an additional $13/month.

3 Misleading Claims vs. the Checkout Reality

This is simply not stated in the Comcast announcement on their site. A quick look at Comcast’s Flex site illustrates misleading statements like, “now included with internet”, “bring your streaming together with Flex at no additional cost” and “Enjoy Flex, on us.” But the checkout process says something very different: as part of signing up, a customer must “select our xFi Gateway modem + router at checkout.” So, in fact, customers are paying a $13/month rental fee.

Pressed on this further by The Verge, Comcast responded that this cost would be dropped, the box would be offered entirely for free and that customers can use their own router and modem. However, they have not done so yet.

4 Why Hidden Provider Fees Keep Happening

Misleading statements by wireless, internet and cable providers are nothing new. Consumers often pay much more than what is advertised by their service companies. Chances are, your monthly bills are full of hidden fees and charges that you never knew existed. Send your bills to Billshark and we will negotiate your rate so that you never have to overpay again.

Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts
Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comcast’s Xfinity Flex streaming box actually free?

Not entirely. Comcast announced Xfinity Flex as free for internet-only customers, but the box is given only to customers who also rent a modem and router from Comcast for an additional $13 per month. So while the box itself carries no separate charge, getting it requires paying that rental fee.

How much does the Xfinity Flex “free” box really cost?

Customers end up paying $13 per month. To sign up for the free Flex box, a customer must select the xFi Gateway modem and router at checkout, which carries a $13 monthly rental fee that Comcast did not disclose in its announcement.

What misleading statements did Comcast make about Flex?

Comcast’s Flex site used phrases like “now included with internet,” “bring your streaming together with Flex at no additional cost” and “Enjoy Flex, on us.” The checkout process told a different story, requiring customers to select the xFi Gateway modem and router, which adds the $13 monthly fee.

Did Comcast say it would remove the $13/month fee?

Yes. When pressed by The Verge, Comcast responded that the cost would be dropped, the box would be offered entirely for free, and that customers could use their own router and modem. However, according to the article, Comcast had not done so yet.

How can Billshark help with hidden cable and internet fees?

Misleading statements by wireless, internet and cable providers are common, and consumers often pay more than advertised. Your monthly bills may be full of hidden fees you never knew existed. You can send your bills to Billshark, and Billshark will negotiate your rate so you never have to overpay again.

Save on the Bills You Just Read About

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

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Article summary.

Article: Comcast’s “Free” Streaming Box Will Cost You $13/Month.

Topic: Comcast's free Xfinity Flex streaming box hides a $13/month modem.

Section: Table of Contents.

Section: 1 What Comcast Promised With Xfinity Flex.

Section: 2 The $13/Month Catch.

Section: 3 Misleading Claims vs.

Section: 4 Why Hidden Provider Fees Keep Happening.

Easy notes.

This page covers comcast's "free" streaming box will cost.
Read one short part at a time.
Start with the main point.
Take one clear step next.
Use the short list first.
Use the short headings in order.

Article details.

Comcast pitched Xfinity Flex as a free streaming box for internet-only customers — but the fine.

Is anything really free these days? If you’re being offered a service or product for free.

Last month, to compete in the streaming video market, Comcast announced, with great fanfare.

However, it was soon discovered that there is, indeed, a catch to this “free” streaming box.

This is simply not stated in the Comcast announcement on their site. A quick look.

Pressed on this further by The Verge , Comcast responded that this cost would be dropped.

Misleading statements by wireless, internet and cable providers are nothing new. Consumers often pay much more.

Not entirely. Comcast announced Xfinity Flex as free for internet-only customers, but the box is given.

Customers end up paying $13 per month. To sign up for the free Flex box.

Comcast’s Flex site used phrases like “now included with internet,” “bring your streaming together with Flex.

Yes. When pressed by The Verge, Comcast responded that the cost would be dropped, the box.

Misleading statements by wireless, internet and cable providers are common, and consumers often pay more.

This Billshark blog page focuses on comcast's free xfinity flex streaming box hides a $13/month modem.

Readers can use Billshark articles to compare service costs, understand billing trends, and discover practical ways.

Each blog page is part of Billshark's larger money-saving library, which includes provider comparisons, cancellation guides.

These articles are designed to help readers make better decisions about subscriptions, telecom services, recurring monthly.

Quick takeaways.

Section: Frequently Asked Questions.
Section: Is Comcast’s Xfinity Flex streaming box actually free?.
Section: How much does the Xfinity Flex “free” box really cost?.
Section: What misleading statements did Comcast make about Flex?.
Section: Did Comcast say it would remove the $13/month fee?.
Section: How can Billshark help with hidden cable and internet fees?.
Section: Stream Movies & Shows: Easy Tips & Best Apps.
Section: Consumer Rights Under Threat: Mega-Corporations Win.
Section: Consider These 4 Tips Before Switching to Streaming.
Detail: Comcast pitched Xfinity Flex as a free streaming box for internet-only customers —.
Detail: Is anything really free these days?.
Detail: Last month.
Detail: However, it was soon discovered that there is, indeed, a catch to this “free” streaming box.
Detail: This is simply not stated in the Comcast announcement on their site.
Detail: Pressed on this further by The Verge .
Detail: Misleading statements by wireless, internet and cable providers are nothing new.
Detail: Not entirely.
Detail: Customers end up paying $13 per month.
Detail: Comcast’s Flex site used phrases like “now included with internet,” “bring your streaming together with Flex.
Detail: Yes.
Detail: Misleading statements by wireless.
Detail: Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.
Detail: Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.
Key point: Comcasts Free Streaming Box Will Cost You 13 Month.
Key point: What Comcast Promised With Xfinity Flex.
Key point: The $13/Month Catch.
Key point: Misleading Claims vs.
Key point: Why Hidden Provider Fees Keep Happening.
Related: Blog - All Categories.
Related: Industry News.

Questions and answers.

Is Comcast's Xfinity Flex streaming box actually free?

Not entirely.

Comcast announced Xfinity Flex as free for internet-only customers, but the box is given only.

So while the box itself carries no separate charge, getting it requires paying that rental fee.

How much does the Xfinity Flex "free" box really cost?

Customers end up paying $13 per month.

To sign up for the free Flex box, a customer must select the xFi Gateway modem.

What misleading statements did Comcast make about Flex?

Comcast's Flex site used phrases like "now included with internet," "bring your streaming together with Flex.

Did Comcast say it would remove the $13/month fee?

Yes. When pressed by The Verge, Comcast responded that the cost would be dropped, the box.

However, according to the article, Comcast had not done so yet.

How can Billshark help with hidden cable and internet fees?

Misleading statements by wireless, internet and cable providers are common, and consumers often pay more.

Your monthly bills may be full of hidden fees you never knew existed.

You can send your bills to Billshark, and Billshark will negotiate your rate so you never.

Comcast’s “Free” Streaming Box Will Cost You $13/Month

1 What Comcast Promised With Xfinity Flex

2 The $13/Month Catch

3 Misleading Claims vs. the Checkout Reality

4 Why Hidden Provider Fees Keep Happening

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comcast’s Xfinity Flex streaming box actually free?

How much does the Xfinity Flex “free” box really cost?

What misleading statements did Comcast make about Flex?

Did Comcast say it would remove the $13/month fee?

How can Billshark help with hidden cable and internet fees?

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