Q. I read about Comcast’s Watchathon which has a bunch of channels for free like HBO and Showtime. My question is can you record a show on HBO or Showtime and watch it later after the Watchathon is over? — Kevin, hometown withheld.

Kevin, before I answer your question, let me explain what the Watchathon is for our readers who are not familiar with it.

Comcast is now holding its 7th annual ‘Watchathon’ event, which means programming from more than 70 channels is available for free on demand. The participating channels this year include A&E, ABC, Acorn TV, Adult Swim, AMC Premiere, BET, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, EPIX, FOX, Hallmark Movies Now, HBO, HGTV, HISTORY Vault, Lifetime Movie Club, Paramount Network, Showtime, TBS, TLC, TNT, truTV, True Royalty TV, Urban Movie Channel and VH1.

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Select shows from those channels, and streaming services, will be free on the Xfinity On Demand menu from April 8 through April 14.

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Comcast says Xfinity Internet-only subscribers can watch shows for free as well from channels such as HBO, Showtime and Acorn TV. The shows will be available on the Xfinity Stream app and the Xfinity Stream web page.

Now to your question: I’m sorry, but as you may have already noted, the programming is on demand, not live. Unlike some free previews, such as those offered by DIRECTV and Dish, to name a few, Comcast is not making available the actual channel, just some of its On Demand programming.

So, consequently, you can’t record it.

But you can watch it until the Watchathon is over. After that, it will be gone unless you subscribe to that particular channel.

Kevin, hope that helps. Happy Viewing!

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— Phillip Swann