Comcast Roundup: Sen. Al Franken says ‘hard to trust,’ NBC lobbying continues and More

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 e-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

DEFINITE READS

• The Washington Post reports on Comcast’s bolstered presence in D.C. circles, ahead of regulatory oversight of its deal for NBC.
• The New York Times reports that Democrats in particular have been critical of the NBC deal. Among them, the Washington Post reports that former NBC star and current Senator Al Franken said NBC can’t be trusted. But the Post also reports that Pittsburgh’s mayor, among other local leaders, encouraged their congressional members to support the deal.

Below, why some say the Comcast-NBC deal would ruin Web video, Brian Roberts makes a promise about layoffs and More.

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Comcast Roundup: Comcast knew about Leno’s ratings, NBC deal a “probably” and More

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 e-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

DEFINITE READS

• The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Comcast-Spectacor will buy ticketing company Paciolan, which Ticketmaster has to spin off to win approval from the U.S. Justice Department for its merger with Live Nation.
• Reuters reports that Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the U.S. Senate’s communications and technology subcommittee, said oversight of the Comcast-NBC deal can “probably” be resolved.
• Bloomberg reports that NBC had warned Comcast in November that Jay Leno’s ratings were hurting local stations, a major factor in the controversy surrounding moving Leno and releasing Conan O’Brien. H/T Philly Tech News

After the jump, what Comcast would trade for SportsNet, notes from the State of the Net speech and More.

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Comcast Roundup: Shaq and Ralph Roberts kiss, Warren Buffet and More

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 e-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

Nothing gets us jacked up to welcome the new year more than keeping a watchful eye on corporate giants.

DEFINITE READS

• Minnesota Public Radio devotes air time to Comcast, NBC and their future for TV. H/T Philly Tech News
• The Canadian Press reports that the Comcast-NBC merger will indeed create a big power in sports, but it will take time.

Below, a Comcast executive joins Warren Buffet’s team, delightful video of Shaq and Comcast’s founder and five more.

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Comcast Roundup: Comcast-NBC deal coverage-palooza

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 e-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

And so the fallout begins.

One week after Comcast’s mega-acquisition of a majority stake in NBC Universal, more coverage of the deal happened than this modest roundup could fit. We took the best and most relevant and surely still didn’t get it all.

DEFINITE READS

The New York Times scores the big creation story of the Comcast-NBC deal, which includes note that Comcast investigated buying Facebook. Still, The Business Insider called it subdued.

The New York Times editorial board raises several concerns about the acquisition.

The New York Times reports that how people watch TV on demand is a “critical issue in the landmark deal” that gave Comcast controlling interest in NBC.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Comcast COO Steve Burke is primed to make a union between Comcast and NBC work.

The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that the Comcast-NBC deal will be a boost to the region, though whether it is more economic or psychological is yet to be known.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Comcast will look to refocus Universal Pictures.

Below, find more than three dozen more Comcast stories, and yes, they’re almost all about its proposed purchase of NBC.

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Comcast Roundup: Calling broadband stimulus packages ineligible, Yellow Pages on TV and More

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 e-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

The Inqy’s DiStefano reports that Comcast submitted data yesterday to the federal government suggesting some proposals for broadband stimulus would duplicate its services and effectively subsidize competitors. The Daily Herald adds that the company says that may make those proposals ineligible. Relatedly, a series of Philadelphia proposals for that pot of money came up short.

New York Times media columnist David Carr suggests Comcast’s “likely” bid to buy a majority stake in NBC Universal is foolhardy. If it were to get through, the Inquirer’s Joe DiStefano writes on the undercurrent conversation about whether the federal government would even allow the deal to happen.

After the jump, the latest in net neutrality, video online news and ten other Comcast links to see, including video of Brian Roberts at the Web 2.0 summit.

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[Updated] Comcast Roundup: as much as 80 percent of broadband misadvertised, blog sponsorships and More

Every Thursday morning, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup. Get an e-mail subscription to our Comcast news updates.

Updated 10/1/09 @ 11:36 a.m. Added Item

• As much of eighty percent of actual broadband speeds are slower than advertised, according to the Washington Post.While the news — which came out of far-reaching industry research from the FCC — doesn’t cite Comcast specifically, it’s hard to think of the company’s recent disputes with the FCC over limiting broadband capacity, isn’t it?

• The Inquirer’s Joey DiStefano asks whether Comcast CEO Brian Roberts is a “highest paid worst performer,” among some other regional chief executives who don’t appear to be bringing success with their paychecks.
• Will Bunch at the Daily News reports on Hollywood-based rumors that Comcast is in serious talks to purchase NBC Universal, which, after Bunch gives an inexplicable SNL-toned lede, is being flatly denied by the Center City MSO. It’s tough not to mention the chance to bolster the city’s media world, but let us never forget Comcast’s abortive attempt to buy Disney in 2004. Big ticket take overs like this are awfully rare and rumors are dime a dozen, so take this in stride.

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Comcast Roundup: In bed with Time Warner, Comcast Idol and More

Every Thursday morning, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup.

In Comcast news big enough to get Philebrity’s Joey Sweeney to bite, Comcast has reached a partnership with Time Warner to put content from their Turner Broadcasting online, where Comcast-subscribers can watch, as the Business Journal reported yesterday.

The agreement also included a set of principles for future online distribution of TV shows on a platform they call TV Everywhere, which require viewer authentication. Read those guiding principles here.

In the announcement, Comcast said it will begin testing next month this On Demand Online with 5,000 subscribers. The initial Turner programmaing will include content from TBS and TNT. No word on if you’ll be able to get those old reruns of Walker Texas Ranger.

This model is seen as a direct threat to advertising-supported Web TV streaming sites like Hulu, as Wired reported. Paid Content reports that Comcast got a taste for that model from ESPN360 in its partnership with Disney.

The Inquirer’s Joe Distefano, who offered the news a brief, recently reported on timid speculation about a Comcast merger with Time Warner.

After the jump, someone else has an interview with Brian Roberts, Verizon gets faster, video of Comcast Idol participants, and four other Comcast stories for the faithful.

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Comcast Roundup: CEO eyes paid video streaming, Time Warner deal and More

Every Thursday morning, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said two big things this week.

You’re gonna pay for online viewing of TV content and, yeah, this economy still sucks.

Roberts joined a growing group of cable company executives who are calling for a China Wall around online-streaming cable content, as Media Post News reported. They’re calling it an “era of authentication,” in which you won’t be able to pop in to watch episodes of your favorite gardening shows unless you prove you’re paying customer of HGTV. Time Warner and other top chiefs are mostly seen as on board — only technology and implementation stand in the way. The same obstacles for my jet pack.

Roberts also let us in on a little secret. The decline in consumer spending is still rattling Comcast here in the second quarter, as MarketWatch reported. Others have pointed to other reasons for the struggles, but those problems don’t seem to be disappearing anytime soon. Folks aren’t necessarily ditching their service any quicker, Roberts says, it’s just that no one else is calling up.

As if that wasn’t enough buzz, Roberts got some residual ink about the Time Warner deal from the Philly swoop by Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who said he and Roberts are gal pals.

After the jump, what if Comcast bought TimeWarner, at least somebody cares about hockey and five other Comcast stories the truly faithful would read.

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Comcast’s Brian Roberts 13th highest paid CEO

In a report that was sneakily filed when most of the cable industry’s attention was turned toward The Cable Show industry trade show last week, Comcast revealed that CEO Brian Roberts received $24.7 million in 2008, making him the 13th highest paid CEO in the world.

Hating on CEO pay has, of course, been the thing to do lately, but Roberts’ 2008 salary was below his 2006 take. Roberts agreed to several concessions including axing his “golden coffin” clause that pays his heirs five years of his base pay plus a bonus should he pass away. Roberts also agreed to freeze his pay until 2010.

Still, Comcast cut 3,300 jobs last year while Roberts was making an eight figure salary.

Roberts’ pay package makes him the third highest paid in the entertainment/media sector behind Disney’s Bob Iger (paid $51.1 million) and News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch ($30.1 million).

While Comcast’s stock fell 7.6 percent in 2008, the company outperformed the NASDAQ index, which fell 44 percent.

Comcast CEO gives the Internet a hug at The Cable Show

Brian Roberts (far left) sits on a panel about new media at The Cable Show.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts had the honor of being a panelist at the cable industry trade show in Washington. All of the cable big wigs are slated to attend the event hosted by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, including News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch.

According to reports, Roberts used his time to persuade his colleagues that the Internet is not the enemy and is another avenue for monitization. The cable industry has been abuzz over customers canceling pricey cable packages in favor of getting media via broadband Internet connections. The practice, known as “cord-cutting” in cable-company-speak, has had an impact on cable companies. Many companies are also suffering because of cost-cutting consumers not renewing service to save money, and the Center-City based Comcast is no exception. As covered previously in Technically Philly, the company lost 233,000 cable subscribers last quarter.

Of the five member panel, Roberts was the most supportive of placing video online.
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