Technically Philly » Comcast Roundup

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”.”

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.

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]

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

Comcast to offer free wireless router for new Xfinity customers [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:30:54 +0000

Comcast to offer free wireless gateway [Connected Planet] — With Comcast subscription, more from the company’s blog here.
Comcast shows off its new ‘Barcelona’ HD guide upgrade [Engadget]
iPad, Xoom Get First Crack at Comcast’s AnyPlay [Light Reading Cable]
Comcast content swap in Phila. nets high school sports [Philadelphia Business Journal] — “Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia’s CSNPhilly.com site will provide the Calkins newspaper chain with pro sports coverage in exchange for high school sports coverage from Calkins reporters.”
Comcast: Wait time for service appointments has shrunk from four hours to two [Boston Globe] — “Comcast Corp. said its initiative to shorten the waiting times for most scheduled service appointments to two hours is now in effect in the Greater Boston market.”
Comcast’s GM resigns to become Knology’s GM [Augusta Chronicle] — Abu Khan, “The general manager of Comcast in Augusta has left to become the manager of Knology in Augusta.”
Comcast policy on credits for interrupted service after snowstorm displeases Springfield City Councilor James Ferrera [Mass Live] — Springfield, Mass. “City Councilor James J. Ferrera III told Comcast Cable officials Monday that he disagrees with the company’s policy of requiring customers to call Comcast if they are seeking a refund for interrupted service related to the major snowstorm on Oct. 29. “

Comcast in talks with Zee Entertainment to more than triple distribution of Indian programming [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:30:04 +0000

Zee Holds Talks With Comcast, Time Warner Cable to Triple Presence in U.S. [Bloomberg] — “Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., the Indian media company led by billionaire Subhash Chandra, is in talks with Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. to expand distribution in the U.S. and plans to more than triple the number of homes it reaches in the country next year.”
Comcast’s CIO to Exit in 2011 [Light Reading] — “Chief Information Officer Andrew Baer is set to leave the company by the end of the year,”
Comcast offers Internetservice at reduced cost [Romeo Observer] — Internet Essential rolls out in Michigan
Comcast: ‘Don’t be a dish head’ [Fierce Cable] – new ad campaign debuting
One Great Idea: David L. Cohen: Executive vice president, Comcast [Philly.com] — “His One Great Idea: Ensuring that more Philadelphians have access to the Internet regardless of income” Video below

Comcast, others try to make young consumers TV subscribers with ‘data-first packages’ [ROUNDUP]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:30:21 +0000

The children are our future, and they don’t pay for TV [Gigaom] — Comcast “execs said the company has benefited from a number of marketing programs aimed at college students and recent grads that push data-first packages.”
NBC Struggles for Its Footing [New York Times] — The TODAY Show has seen its ratings falter, along with others at the Comcast owned property
Comcast Posts 4.7% Profit, With Mixed Results From NBCUniversal Acquisition [Media Decoder: New York Times]
NHL Network Selects Comcast Media Center For Network Origination and Transmission Services [Market Watch]
No HBO Go for Roku users on Comcast or DirecTV [Gigaom] — H/T Philly Tech News
Comcast switching from analog to digital [News & Advance]
Drug-Sniffing Dogs at the Comcast Center? [Patch]
Lazarus: NBC Sports Network Changes Will Be ‘Done Well, Not Fast’ [Multichannel News]
Suspect in Fairhaven Comcast holdup sought [SouthCoast] — In Connecticut
Comcast, Ambercrombie And Fitch: 2 Stocks On Sale For No Good Reason [Seeking Alpha]
Comcast Promotes Peter Kiriacoulacos to Executive Vice President of Comcast Cable and Appoints Him Senior Vice President of NBCUniversal [Business Wire]
McGinn Named VP of NBC ‘Multi-Station Local Programming’ [Broadcasting & Cable] — Meredith McGinn

Comcast increased third quarter profits, met with Occupy Philly protestors [Roundup]

Christopher Wink — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:30:40 +0000

Outspent 60:1, Longmont Kicks Comcast’s Assets [Fighting the Next Good Fight] — Oakland-based broadband strategist Craig Settles focuses his eyes on a small city lobbying battle over broadband choice in Longmont, Colo., in which Comcast lost out.
Nine Occupy Philly protesters arrested at Comcast Center [Technically Philly]
Comcast Rises on Cable; Film Helps Time Warner [New York Times] — “Increases in high-speed Internet customers and advertising sales at NBCUniversal’s trove of profitable cable networks helped increase third-quarter profits at the Comcast Corporation, the company said Wednesday. ” More from the Philadelphia Business Journal here and Philly Tech News here.
NBCUniversal to Invest Millions to Enhance Local News at 10 NBC TV Stations [Hollywood Reporter] — This Includes WCAU in Philadelphia.

NBC ownership highlights Comcast’s programming investment risks [LA Times: Company Town]
On the Call: Comcast Execs on New TV Technology [AP via ABC News]
For Comcast, broadband grows fast, video losses slow [Gigaom]
Comcast/NBCU Deal Lawyers: Online Video Competition Was Key Concern Attorneys for Comcast, FCC, Verizon give personal takes on merger conditions and impact on over-the-top services. [Broadcasting & Cable] — H/T Philly Tech News
Comcast Moves NBCU Local’s Shopping Guide To DailyCandy [paidContent]
Comcast CEO: Telemundo Soccer World Cup Rights Deal ‘Should Be Profitable’ [Hollywood Reporter]
Comcast commits to bring more broadband to Innovation District [Mass High Tech]
Comcast cranks up its research labs to quickly create new video products [Denver Post]
Baseball eyes new $1 billion TV contract in off-season [Reuters via Fox News] — Will Comcast be a player, asks Philly Tech News.
Broadcast networks will rake in retransmission fees, report says [LA Times: Company Town] — Comcast’s NBC included
Comcast Partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Goes Beyond School Walls [Comcast blog]
Comcast Lands Emmy Engineering Certificate for Xfinity TV iPad App [Comcast blog]