Comcast, Netflix reach agreement on smoother streaming

Netflix has reached an agreement with cable and internet giant Comcast so that the US video-streaming service's programming can be viewed more smoothly, the two announced Sunday. The companies "have established a more direct connection between Netflix and Comcast, similar to other networks, that's already delivering an even better user experience to consumers," their statement said. The financial details of the deal -- in which Netflix will pay Comcast -- were not disclosed. A Netflix spokesperson told AFP that the agreement would help restore optimum streaming for some American Comcast broadband subscribers who had difficulty viewing Netflix's programming. Until now, Netflix and its heavy traffic flow reached Comcast's network via bandwidth intermediaries, sometimes resulting in non-fluid streaming. The agreement comes 10 days after Comcast unveiled plans to swallow rival Time Warner Cable in a $45.2 billion mega-deal that triggered debate on the creation of a cable-Internet behemoth. The planned merger was seen by analysts as Comcast positioning itself to fend off threats from streaming video services like Netflix, Amazon and HBO, which can offer an alternative to cable.