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Comcast knows its younger audience prefers streaming their favorite programming and decided to come out with an OTT service of its own. The new service, called Stream, will make its first appearance in Boston by the end of the summer and will be available everywhere by the beginning of 2016. Xfinity customers can access the service for $15 a month.

Matt Strauss, executive vice president and general manager for Comcast Cable video services, said in a company blog post that the way people are watching television these days is becoming more personal. Strauss said the company decided to release a new cable streaming service to provide more TV choices for all of its customers.

"With Stream, Xfinity Internet customers can watch live TV from about a dozen networks - including all the major broadcast nets and HBO - on laptops, tablets and phones in their home," Strauss said. 'It includes thousands of on demand movies and shows to watch home or away and even comes with access to TV Everywhere and a cloud DVR so you can record all your favorites and watch them later."

"With Stream, Xfinity Internet customers can watch live TV from about a dozen networks."

The one thing different about Comcast's new OTT service is that it won't be delivered through an Internet connection. According to Multichannel News, Comcast customers can access Stream over the company's managed IP network.

Xfinity subscribers won't have to call the company to get a technician to install the new service. All they have to do is go online and download the Xfinity TV app to get access to Stream.

Phillip Swann, CEO of TV Predictions, Inc., said Comcast's decision to come out with an OTT service "should not come as a surprise." He said the company implied it was coming out with a service like this in the last year, but hesitated because it hoped to merge with Time Warner Cable. Now that the merger has failed, Comcast can follow through with its launch and compete with other streaming providers like Netflix, Hulu, Dish and Amazon.