Comcast Customers Won't Need Cable Box With Upcoming Apps

Comcast Customers Won't Need Cable Box With Upcoming Apps
Comcast says later this year you won't need a cable box to watch cable as the company follows its rivals in offering TV-watching apps.

The announcement has interesting timing. It comes as the federal government works on new rules that would force the TV industry to let tech companies - say, TiVo or Google - sell cable boxes, too. Consumers typically pay cable companies extra fees for these boxes, and the cable industry is opposed to the effort. The industry says apps that companies are rolling out show that the Federal Communications Commission doesn't need to act.

Comcast is going to launch an app on the streaming-TV gadget Roku that takes the place of a cable box. Time Warner Cable and Charter, which is buying Time Warner Cable, also have Roku apps that sub for cable boxes. Time Warner Cable's is only available in and near New York City. Comcast is also working on a cable-TV app for Samsung smart TVs.