Cable channels and streaming services offer a bevy of niche outlets, with more and more cropping up daily. The benefit of this is that viewers are able to pinpoint a very specific genre they want to explore and stream away. Comet, a free sci-fi channel available through both cable subscription and streaming, offers science fiction fans a fun place to unplug, binge, and maybe even discover some new classic treasures—without changing the channel. Here we take a look at a few of the things that Comet has to offer.
What is Comet?
Comet advertises itself as a free sci-fi channel, which means while it is available through cable, you don’t need a cable subscription to watch it. The content is specifically focused on science fiction, ranging from cult classic movies to popular television favorites, as well as supernatural and horror programming.
Why Comet is Cool
Unlike binging other science fiction-themed channels, Comet is primarily science fiction programming, with some horror classics mixed in. During the day the line up includes a rotation of camp horror and sci-fi movies, including Carrie, Bubba Ho-Tep, and The Terminator. Sprinkled in there are campy favorite B-movie horror classics (who doesn’t love a little Boris Karloff?). A full list of movies currently in rotation is available on CometTV.com.
Evening and night times find the channel airing syndicated runs of popular science fiction television shows Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Babylon 5, and both the 1964 and 1998 runs of The Outer Limits. This selection is honestly not unique to the service, with all these shows available through some combination of Hulu or Amazon Prime (or both). However, the network is constantly expanding and changing its lineup, previously featuring Bryan Fuller favorite Dead Like Me and Stargate Universe, so it’s worth checking in from time to time on what’s new.
Owned and operated by subsidiaries of the Sinclair-Broadcast Group and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the content is largely skewed to MGM and United Artists properties.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Comet’s site is its blog, which posts nearly daily with a bevy of stories about the sci-fi scene. Sometimes just quotes from around the web or new trailers, it is a great place to find a filtered stream of all the latest news and production rumors in science fiction entertainment.
But It’s Not for Everyone
Comet has a very niche programming, which can be fun, but is still a live-streaming channel only—with commercials. Whether you are streaming online, through a device, or still have the cable cord, you get the same option. With most cable channels moving to an on-demand model on their websites and apps, Comet feels a bit stuck in the past, making it a bit limited compared to how most people watch television today.
How to watch Comet
Comet’s live broadcast can be viewed online at CometTV.com/Watch-Live. In addition, the service has apps for Roku and iTunes/IOS. It can also be accessed via the STIRR app on Amazon Fire and Android, or through subscriptions with YouTube, PlayStation Vue, and Dish, as well as cable alternative service Sling TV.
