Comcast Roundup: Net neutrality DOA until Nov. 3, the future of NBC Sports predicted 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 Sports Business Journal makes five predictions about what will happen when Comcast runs the NBC Sports show. H/T LA Times
• The Washington Post reports that a decision on controversial ‘net neutrality’ rules has been delayed by the FCC until after the November elections.

Below, more angles on the future of online video, how Comcast exists in the news ecosystem and more.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: Al Franken still hates NBC deal, ’30 Rock’ will stay on 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

• Ars Technica reports that Sen. Al Franken, perhaps the most vocal critic of the NBC deal, again voiced his frustration with the proposed deal.
• Broadcasting & Cable reports that Comcast outlined its program access philosophy to regulators of its NBC deal. H/T Philly Tech News
• The Wall Street Journal reports on the last minute bombarding of the FCC by Comcast opponents regarding the NBC deal. [Paywall]

Below, is Hulu headed toward an IPO, a Philly product rollout and more.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: earnings down thanks to NBC

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

In its earnings report, Comcast says it saw a dip in second quarter revenues of 8.6 percent thanks to the rising costs of the Comcast NBC-U merger. The cable giant also said that it expected to gain more subscribers in June and July.

Outgrowing its gigantic skyscraper, Comcast has rented 43,000 square feet at the Bell Atlantic Tower. The company has the space until at least 2012 and is said to be looking for more space.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: Partnership with Blockbuster, net neutrality ‘trap’ 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

• Zatz Not Funny reports on Comcast’s deal with Blockbuster to partner on DVDsbyMail to, you know, send DVDs by mail, and TechDirt wonders why.
• The New York Post reports that the FCC is readying a ‘net neutrality trap’ for Comcast.
• The Inquirer’s Bob Fernandez reports that Comcast has already spent $90 million on lobbying, advertising, lawyers and other costs pushing for approval of their acquisition of NBC.

Below, four months in prison for hacking Comcast, the most expensive rowhome purchase ever and more.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: NBC deal could be done after Thanksgiving, Fanvibe partnership 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

• Bloomberg reports that 11 members of the Congressional Black Caucus called for the FCC to approve the Comcast-NBC deal, noting the company’s commitment to diversity.
• Multichannel News gives a ‘view from the top’ on the NBC deal, including noting that the acquisition could be passed as soon as after Thanksgiving.
• The LA Times reports on the continued effort by Dish and DirecTV to get coverage from Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, after filing a formal request for access last month, a March conclusion to the Versus debate and word of resolving the situation in January.

Read more

David Cohen: Comcast not worried about online video

David Cohen (left) is interview by Supernova Hub organizer Kevin Werbach

According to what David Cohen says, Comcast isn’t worried about the shift to online video.

In fact, he says, the company is welcoming it — enough so that the future of online video has become the dominant conversation surrounding the company’s proposed acquisition of NBC Universal. Regulators are a wreck over what the merger might mean for moving pictures on the web, but Comcast maintains that the deal would stimulate, not stifle, competition.

During his keynote interview at today’s Superniva Hub conference, Comcast’s Executive Vice President answered a wide range of questions about his company’s merger with NBCU and privacy concerns (see our Q and A with him here).

“People often don’t realize how large Comcast is,” said Cohen adding that NBCU will only be 20 percent of Comcast.

But Cohen’s main focus was Xfinity and its role in content creation. Below, hear why Cohen and Comcast aren’t concerned about the shift to online video.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: 2Q earnings call with NBC effect, war brewing with ESPN over Olympics 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

• Marketwatch reports that Comcast announced during its 2Q earnings call, the company announced profit declined by nine percent in pursuit of its NBC Universal acquisition but, as the Philadelphia Business Journal highlighted, they beat revenue projections.
• Read a transcript of the call on the Street here.
• Broadcasting & Cable reports disclosure from Comcast that NBCU conditions will continue to affect the telecommunications company’s cash flow. H/T Philly Tech News

Below, ESPN has new reason to battle, how advertising dollars could be worth $10 billion and more.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: Calls critics of NBC deal ‘self serving,’ @ComcastCares leaves 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

• LA Times reports that Comcast told the FCC that critics of its deal of NBC are ‘self-serving.’
• The New York Post reports that in a court filing Comcast calls itself the fourth largest media company in terms of advertising and affiliate revenue if the NBC deal would go through.
• Variety reports on the filing saying that Comcast portrays its acquisition of NBC as an opportunity to stimulate, not stifle, competition.

Below, the man behind @ComcastCares is leaving, Google bumps its lobbying budget to fight on net neutrality and more.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: Europeans OK NBC deal, saying customer service improved and More

Updated 7/15/10 @ 2:37 p.m.: WiMax product reporting

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 the European Commission has approved the Comcast-NBC Universal deal.
• Broadcasting and Cable reports that at this week’s Comcast-NBC deal public hearing in Chicago the focus turned to the deal’s potential impact on the future of online video. H/T Philly Tech News
• The Washington Post adds to the storyline of online video playing into the Comcast-NBC regulatory process, all after the Inquirer set the table on what the impact of the hearing was meant to be.

Below, get your $16, TV Everywhere is called ‘all hype’ and more.

Read more

Comcast Roundup: Agreement with CBS, ABC and Fox, the Trail Blazers object 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

• Updated  7/9/10 @ 9:04 a.m.: The Los Angeles Times reports that Comcast has promised $20 million in investment capital for minority-owned businesses as a condition of its deal for NBC.
• Los Angeles Times Company Town blog reports that Comcast has reached an agreement with CBS, ABC and Fox stations over its proposed acquisition of NBC, hoping to eas regulatory approval.
• A Forbes blog speculates on why Netflix should be an $82 stock, comparing it with Comcast.
• Visiting Princeton University Law Professor Susan Crawford writes on her blog about a Comcast-NBC deal public filing from NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, who reported the organization fears further consolidation would allow Comcast unfair control for local sports.
• The Huffington Post has a piece on net neutrality and how Comcast inspired one activist for the cause.

Below, net neutrality lobbyists, Comcast works with the Banana Republic on ‘Mad Men’ wear and more.

Read more