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How Comcast plans to take over the world; NBC jumps Super Bowl ad prices 15% [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:30:55 +0000

Every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup. Get an email subscription for our weekly Comcast roundup or other news updates.

Verizon Wireless-Comcast Deal Meets Political Resistance [Wall Street Journal]
Police: Man Posing As Comcast Technician Takes Cable Box [WUSA] — In Maryland
Wall Street Reflects on Comcast-NBCUniversal Ahead of Deal’s First Anniversary [Hollywood Reporter]
Comcast CEO looking to expand global reach [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Comcast Signs Multiyear Extension With Amdocs [Multichannel News] – “Vendor Also Cites Strong Performance in Europe, Emerging Markets”

MIGHT INTEREST

NBC Channels Marilyn Monroe in Super Bowl Ads to Aid Network [Bloomberg] — “Comcast Corp.’s NBC, the last-place network for seven straight years, will use this weekend’s Super Bowl broadcast to promote a prime-time lineup being remade by entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt.”
NBC’s price for Super Bowl ads not shocking to advertisers [Philadelphia Business journal] — “NBC is charging 17 percent more for a 30-second Super Bowl ad this Sunday than Fox charged when it had the game last year, Forbes reports.”
Verizon’s wireless, marketing deal with cable firms to be considered at Senate hearing [Post Tech: Washington Post]
Internet Essentials Progress Report [Comcast Voices]
Marin Telecom Agency Battles Comcast Over Fees [MillValley Patch]
Comcast SportsNet series taps into hatred of Phila. sports fans [Philadelphia Business Journal]
Comcast-Spectacor leader Luukko makes Billboard power rankings [Philadelphia Business Journal] — Peter Luukko
Comcast reveals social TV strategy that rewards subscribers in patent application [FierceCable]

GIVE A GLANCE

The Weather Channel Replaces Its Chief [Media Decoder: New York Times] — NBC Universal co-owns with Bain Capital
In a Departure, USA Network Plans a Washington Political Drama [Media Decoder: New York Times]
Comcast Names Amy Lynch as Area Vice President of Comcast California’s Southwest Bay Area [PR Newswire]
Comcast’s Split-Personality Problem [Daily News]
Comcast plans to expand eligibility for reduced-price Internet [York Dispatch]
Comcast Takes Home Security To Mile-High City [Multichannel News] — “‘Xfinity Home’ Service Provides 24-Hour Monitoring, Home Automation Features”
Comcast going all digital, expanding basic [KeysNet] — “Digital television will soon come to even basic-service cable subscribers of Comcast Corp. in the Florida Keys.”
Comcast’s Xfinity Celebrates Black History Month With Special Entertainment Choices Across Screens and Devices [BlackNews]

Comcast sales reps to sell in Verizon stores, Bloomberg takes swing at NBC merger [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:11 +0000

If Comcast can’t make it in the wireless biz, who can? [Gigaom]
New in Your Wireless Store: The Cable Guy [Media Decoder: New York Times] — “A pending $3.6 billion transfer of spectrum between cable companies and Verizon Wireless will give Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, a presence in select Verizon retail locations. Comcast salesmen will offer Verizon customers special offers on cellphones and other deals if they sign up for Comcast’s Xfinity service.”
Bloomberg jabs at Comcast on anniversary of NBC deal approval [LA Times: Company Town]
Verizon, Comcast Send Marketing Deals to FCC in Airwaves Review [Bloomberg]
VIDEO: Comcast Xfinity Commercials Interrupt Giants Vs. 49ers Game (UPDATED) [Half Smokes] — in D.C. market

Comcast’s Web-Slinging Set-Top Visits the FCC [Light Reading Cable]
Comcast patents technology for recommending alternative TV programming to subscribers [FierceCable]
Sprint, DirecTV ask FCC for Verizon cable deal info [Reuters via Yahoo Finance]
Comcast & the FCC: Is the secret in their logos? [Philly Tech News] — Noting similarities in their logos
Comcast Challenges FCC’s Decision on Tennis Channel Complaint [Broadcasting and Cable] — “Cable operator asks commission to reverse the ALJ’s finding that it had discriminated against the channel”
As Seacrest Makes Deals, a Potential Role on ‘Today’ Still Looms [Media Decoder: New York Times] — More on the Ryan Seacrest negotiations with Comcast
Comcast Spotlight exec heads to Viamedia [CED] –”Independent cable rep firm Viamedia announced that it has hired Brad Henderson as director of national sales.”
This Major Catalyst Will Cause Time Warner To Outperform Comcast [TWXNews]
Comcast Center says Thanks Gary [DC Sports Blog: Washington Post]
Comcast flipping digital switch [The Post and Courier]
Comcast Names Amy Lynch as Area Vice President of Comcast California’s Southwest Bay Area [PR Newswire: Sacramento Bee]
Activists, Comcast tangle over accessiblity of low-income program [NewsWorks]
Green Your Home with Xfinity Home Security [Comcast Voices] — Still pushing into security systems, seen as a related growth market

Comcast is the fastest broadband provider in U.S., joins marketing forces with Verizon [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:30:51 +0000

Comcast is the fastest broadband provider in the U.S. [Gigaom]
Comcast Leads $5M Round In Subscription Service For Kids Activities Kiwi Crate [Tech Crunch] — “Kiwi Crate, a subscription service for kids activities, has raised $5 million in new funding led by Comcast Ventures with existing investors First Round Capital” and others.
Comcast, Verizon launch joint marketing effort [Herald Net] — “Consumers can sign up for Verizon wireless products through Comcast, or add Comcast’s home Internet, television or telephone service through Verizon. The new joint service is being rolled out initially only in Seattle and Portland.” Says Fierce Cable, Comcast “is pursuing a strategy similar to its satellite TV and telco rivals.”
Comcast raising cable rates twice in 10-month period [Boston Globe] — in Boston
Comcast, Verizon launch joint marketing effort [Sentinel and Enterprise] — In rural Massachusetts, Comcast is being asked to extend broadband service beyond its contract
Clarifying Comcast’s Spectrum Position [Comcast Voices] — Says Philly Tech News “Comcast EVP David Cohen tries to walk back Vice Chairman Michael Angelakis’ comment at a Citi conference early this month that “[w]e never really intended to build that spectrum”.”

What move from Comcast may come in conflict with its support of SOPA? [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:53 +0000

DEFINITE READS

Disney, Comcast And Why TV Everywhere Alone Is Not Enough [paidContent]
Comcast-Disney Pact Signals More Deals Aimed at Fighting Netflix [Bloomberg]
Comcast, AstraZeneca in coalition to control health benefits spending [Philadelphia Business Journal]
Comcast Completes DNSSEC Deployment [Comcast Voices] — “I am pleased to announce that Comcast, the largest ISP in the U.S., is the first large ISP in the North America to have fully implemented Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC),” which precipitated the end of its domain helper program. Then TechDirt does the important deed of tying this to its support of SOPA.

MIGHT BE INTERESTING

AnyPlay Brings Live TV to the Tablet [Comcast Voices] — Read more from CNet here.
Comcast’s new set-top streams live TV to DLNA devices [Gigaom]
Comcast CFO: NBCUniversal Must Address Profit Drop at Film Studio [Hollywood Reporter]
Comcast lights up AnyPlay for in-home live TV iPad streaming, Xoom support ‘coming soon’ [Engadget]
Universal Sports Transitions From Multicast Distribution, Inking Deals with Six Providers [Multichannel News] — “Comcast’s NBC Sports Group owns a minority stake in Universal Sports,” says Philly Tech News.
Today’s Cable Guy, Upgraded and Better-Dressed [New York Times] — “The cable guy is becoming sleeker and more sophisticated, just like the televisions and computers he installs. “
Comcast, Others Beware: Traditional TV Viewing Plummeting, Says Survey [V2M] — “An annual survey from Accenture found that the percentage of consumers watching broadcast or cable television in a typical week on the boob tube has plummeted from 71 percent in 2009 to just 48 percent last year. “

GIVE A GLANCE

Dish Network Reaches Deal to Distribute Univision Programming [Media Decoder: New York Times] — Noting that Dish competitor Comcast has amped up its Spanish-language programming through its Telemundo subsidiary
Comcast Cable hires multicultural services manager [Philadelphia Business Journal] — “Comcast Cable said Thursday that Ruben Mendiola has joined it as vice president and general manager of multicultural services.”
Winter Classic 2012 Ratings Are The Worst In Event’s History [SB Nation]
Comcast coughs up refunds, revelations of service fee [WTOP] — In Montgomery County, Maryland
Philly Tech News: 2011 Highlights [Philly Tech News] — Highlighting the Comcast NBC merger finalization and its sale of spectrum to Verizon
CES: Comcast To Speed Up Tru2way Set-Tops With Myriad’s Java Software Swiss Software Developer to Integrate JVM Into MSO’s Device Reference Design Kit [Multichannel News]
Comcast ‘Completes’ Docsis 3.0 Rollout (Light Reading Cable)

Comcast inks another 10-year content deal with Disney, launches NBC sports network [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:30:42 +0000

Every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup. Get anemail subscription for our weekly Comcast roundup or other news updates.

Disney and Comcast Link Up for Another 10 Years [All Things Digital] — “Comcast has re-upped its distribution deal with Disney, which means the country’s largest cable company will continue to pipe programming from ABC, ESPN and other channels into its subscribers’ homes for another 10 years.” More from Broadcasting and Cable and the announcement from the Comcast blog.
Comcast and NBC launch sports network [Inquirer] — “The new outlet will boost programming and distribution of the former Versus. Costs could rise.”
Comcast’s NBC Plans to Build West Coast TV News Headquarters [Bloomberg BusinessWeek]

Comcast Unsurprisingly Kills Internet2Go Wireless [Broadband DSL Reports] — “Not too surprisingly, a Comcast insider tells Broadband Reports that the company will be phasing out their Comcast “Internet2Go” wireless broadband service over the next six months. The move comes on the heel of a new Comcast deal with Verizon to bundle Verizon LTE services, with Comcast saying they’ll start offering the service in four markets early next year.”
Comcast Customer Accuses Company of Bugging Out on Him [Reuters] — More on the Chicago area claims of bug-infested devices being installed
Watch out Comcast, I’ve Got Choices [Business Insider]
Comcast Is Like Sweet Heroin [Philly Post: Phillymag] — About a cable cutter who returned to cable
‘Wonder Women’ Class of 2012 Named By Multichannel News; Dozen Dynamic Female Execs To Be Honored At March 13 Luncheon In New York [Multichannel News] – Includes three Comcast/NBCU execs, says Philly Tech News.
Dozen ‘Women to Watch’ Slated By ‘MCN’ Will Be Celebrated, With ‘Wonder Women’ Class, At March 13 Event [Multichannel News] – Includes execs with Comcast, QVC, Canoe Ventures, says Philly Tech News.
Comcast Doesn’t Need Your Teary Apology [MediaBistro] — New Xfinity advertising campaign takes on the idea of Comcast customers that bail for FiOS but return for original services. See one of the spots below.

Comcast-Spectacor sued for $2M over 76ers sale finder’s fee [ROUNDUP]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:30:24 +0000

Pair sue Comcast-Spectacor over $2M finder’s fee in 76ers sale, say they brought in buyer [Associated Press via Washington Post] - “Two sports executives have sued former Philadelphia 76ers owner Comcast-Spectacor seeking a $2 million finder’s fee over the team’s October sale.”
Cable Providers to Offer ‘HBO Go’ Service [New York Times] — Comcast had offered to its customers earlier in the year, followed now Time Warner Cable and Cablevision
Comcast exec named to bank board: Angelakis to remain at cabler while serving Federal Reserve [Chicago Tribune] — Comcast CFO Michael Angelakis

A Nickname and Dream Come True [Comcast Voices corporate blog] — Essay from a young Comcast Digital Connectors graduate
Equity Research on Netflix Inc. and Comcast Corporation — Internet Subscription Service Providers Dealing With Greater Competition [MarketWatch Press Release]
Subdued Christmas in Center City [Hidden City] — Grading Center City’s Christmas decorations, complimenting the Comcast Center
Urban League receives $20K Comcast grant [Commercial Appeal] — In Memphis
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Electronic Arts, Time Warner Cable, Apple, Comcast and Verizon Communication [Sacremento Bee]
Comcast Donates to Help Youth [The Shopper Online]
Comcast Adds Tengler to Channel Team [Channel Partners] — “Cary Tengler has joined the new channel management team at Comcast Business Class”
What More Same Day as DVD Releases Mean for Xfinity [Comcast Voices corporate blog] — Watch video below.

‘Women work harder:’ Amy Banse Comcast Ventures [ROUNDUP]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:30:52 +0000

F.C.C. Judge Rules for Tennis Channel in Dispute With Comcast [New York Times] — See the comment from the Comcast blog here.
Action United survey cites barriers to Comcast Internet Essentials digital access program [Technically Philly] — More from the Inquirer here.
Comcast CEO to pay $500,000 anti-trust fine [Phillyburbs.com] – “Comcast Corp. chairman and CEO Brian Roberts will pay a $500,000 fine to settle charges that he violated reporting and waiting period requirements before purchasing shares of the Philadelphia cable company.”
Comcast Ventures’ Banse Says Women `Work Harder [Bloomberg] — “Amy Banse, managing director of Comcast Ventures”

Verizon, Comcast, and Time Warner partnering up: the story so far [The Verge] — “Verizon’s spectrum-for-cable deal with Comcast and Time Warner facing government scrutiny” More from Washington Post here.
Sprint Sues Time Warner, Comcast Over Digital Phone Technology [Bloomberg BusinessWeek] — “Sprint Nextel Corp., the third- largest U.S. wireless operator, accused Time Warner Cable Inc., Comcast Corp. and two other cable-TV companies of infringing patents related to transmitting phone calls over digital lines.”
Vevo pitches cable distribution to Comcast, Time Warner Cable [Fierce Cable] — A potential competitor for Viacom’s MTV
To Keep Seacrest, Comcast May Set Its Crown Jewel at His Feet [New York Times]
BBC World News to Be Available Through Comcast [New York Times]
What Philly LIVE! will have [Business Journal] — Comcast-Spectacor gives details on Xfinity Live near the stadiums in South Philadelphia.
Comcast fee would pay for upgrades [Trib Local]

Can Comcast be as mighty as Google? [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:30:40 +0000

Can Comcast Be As Mighty As Google? [Philadelphia magazine] — A profile of NBC President Steve Burke
tweeted:
[PhillyStat Twitter]
Comcast expands IPv6 services into four more states [Network World]
NFL signs TV deals worth billions with Fox, NBC and CBS [LA Times: Company Town'
Demo Day at DreamIt Ventures Features Minority-led Startups Sponsored by Comcast [Comcast blog] — We covered DreamIt Demo Day here
Comcast Ventures Eyeing Startups in the Second Screen Engagement, Social TV Arena [App Market]
Raúl Valentín Joins Comcast As Vice President of Talent Acquisition [Business Wire press release]
Bright House, Comcast, Verizon team up on local ad sales in Tampa [Fierce Cable] — “Bright House Networks is teaming up with rival Verizon to sell local cable advertising in the Tampa, Fla., market.”
MAYOR NUTTER CONGRATULATES HOLMESBURG TIGERS FOR WINNING AYF CHAMPIONSHIP [City of Philadelphia press release] — Comcast donated money toward the Holmesburg Boys Club Tigers in Northeast Philadelphia participating in the American Youth Football championship.
Former Comcast manager starts job at rival [Augusta Chronicle]

Comcast to start selling Verizon mobile in early 2012, described as ‘quadruple play’ [ROUNDUP]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:30:30 +0000

Comcast to start selling Verizon mobile early 2012 [Reuters]
Comcast execs: Verizon deal to bring the ‘quadruple play’ [Digital Trends] — “Late last week, Verizon Wireless signed a deal to purchase 122 spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo, a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, for $3.6 billion. As part of the deal, which awaits approval from the Federal Communications Commission, the Comcast will now be able to sell Verizon Wireless service as part of their communications packages.”
More on Comcast-Verizon deal [Philly Tech News] Good roundup of other voice on the deal, which is being billed as having the potential for as big an impact as any other in the industry.
Comcast CFO: NBC Universal integration continues to go ‘really well’ [Hollywood Reporter] — Says Michael Angelakis 10 months after the deal closed. H/T PTN

How Comcast’s Xfinity has earned nearly 1 million Facebook fans [Lost Remote]
NBC 10 to partner with WHYY in one of four new Comcast pledged local news initiatives [Technically Philly]
Time Warner Cable and Comcast make push into home security [Company Town: Los Angeles Times]
Apple email users in U.S. not receiving Comcast, Roadrunner messages [Apple Insider]
Comcast Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Spanish-Language Center of Excellence [Comcast blog]
Comcast elevates cable systems chief Neil Smit [Company Town: Los Angeles Times] — “Comcast Corp. elevated Neil Smit to chief executive of the company’s revenue engine: Comcast Cable Communications.”
Chamber picks Comcast’s Cohen for William Penn Award [PhillyInc: Inquirer] — The Chamber of Commerce honoring its chairman of the board David L. Cohen.
Dump Comcast! This Cable Company is Providing Better Portfolio Service [Investor Place] — Recommend for purchasing Cablevision instead, arguing that Comcast isn’t getting the better side of the Verizon deal.
Universal Studios Hollywood Plans ‘Harry Potter’ Attractions [Bloomberg]
Pennsylvania Ballet Flash Dance @ Comcast Center [Geekadelphia]

Black employees in Chicago accuse Comcast of discrimination [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:30:37 +0000

Comcast Tangled in Discrimination Suit [BET] — “Several of the company’s black employees in Chicago say that they were required to install defective and insect-infested equipment in customers’ homes. ” More from the Chicago Tribune here. Officially, the company denies the allegations.
Key NBC executive Marc Graboff to leave the network [Company Town: LA Times] — “Marc Graboff, president of NBC’s West Coast business operations and the TV network’s longtime consigliere, is leaving the company” after diminishing role, following Comcast’s takeover.
Q&A: How Comcast is adjusting to our changing TV habits [GeekWire] — “Interview with Tom Blaxland, senior director of product management for Comcast Interactive Media” says Philly Tech News
Comcast gives CFO Angelakis new contract, title [Philadelphia Business Journal] — “Michael J. Angelakis that promotes him from executive vice president and chief financial officer to vice chairman and CFO.”

Comcast goes full-footprint with Dory gateway [CED Magazine]
NBC News announces changes to technology, social media staff [Poynter]
Please Turn On Your Cell Phone: Comcast’s Fandango Embraces Mobile Movie Tickets [Mashable]
‘Tis The Season for Another Comcast Rate Hike
Comcast Rings in New Year With Significant Increases [Broadband Reports]
Comcast Gets Ready for CCAP [Light Reading Cable] — H/T Philly Tech News
Comcast’s metro E service easy as 1, 2, 3 [CED Magazine]
In the Know: Is weather radar broken promise from Comcast? [NaplesNews.com] — People in Southwest Florida want their weather channel back
Watch a Sneak Preview of “The Comcast Holiday Spectacular 2011″ [Comcast blog] — Video below