Comcast Roundup: RightNetwork to be based in Philly, net neutrality affects Comcat stock 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 Associated Press reports that actor Kelsey Grammer is “an investor and public face” of proposed politically-conservative-leaning RightNetwork, which aso has investment from Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider and drew buzz in April for incorrectly being associated with Comcast partnering.

Philly Tech News reports that Red Tettemer is handling the network’s PR and that it will be based in Philadelphia. That has since been confirmed.

Multichannel News reports that Comcast has launched a customer service text-messaging service dubbed “Comcast4U.”

Below, what net neutrality means for Comcast stock, a charitable mood and more.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Comcast Roundup: NBC review stalls, DirecTV and Dish call for CSN and More

DEFINITE READS

• The Hill reports that the FCC has again stopped the ‘time clock’ on the Comcast-NBC acquisition review, asking that NBCU resubmit its filings. H/T Philly Tech News
• DirecTV and Dish Network have filed formal requests for access to Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, after a January court decision compelled Comcast to stop limiting carrying the channel and its exclusive sports programming.

Below, a major move from Hulu, a sports content sharing agreement and more.

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Comcast Roundup: FCC broadband proposal on the move, Oprah in town and more

MUST READ

• The Washington Post reports that today the FCC begins its new strategy for regulating broadband, not long after losing its case for Comcast in a D.C. Circuit Court suggesting the agency doesn’t have the authority to enforce its net neutrality regulations.
• Daily News gossip columnist Dan Gross reports that Oprah Winfrey was at the Comcast Center in undisclosed talks.
• Broadcasting and Cable reports that there is still push back from some in Congress on the proposed advancement of ethnic programming by a merged Comcast-NBC Universal, seeking more diverse TV choices.

WORTH BROWSING

• Philly Tech News reports on Cablevision’s $1.3 billion purchase of cable system Bresnan, of which Comcast owns a third.
• Light Reading reports that Comcast may be preparing to deploy a technology called switched digital video. H/T Philly Tech News

GIVE A GLANCE

• Multichannel News reports that Comcast is moving forward with previously reported plans to shut down the London, Ontario office of interactive TV development firm TVWorks and consolidating work at Radnor, Pa. and Mill Valley, Calif. offices.
• Multichannel News reports that senior vice president and general manager of video and entertainment services Derek Harrar has stepped down.

When there is just too much Comcast news to follow, the Comcast Roundup will be there every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST

Comcast Roundup: Due to battle movie theaters, the man to review NBC and more

Updated 5/21/10 @ 12:08 p.m.: Lobbying as percentage of revenue

DEFINITE READS

The Los Angeles Times profiles Bridget Baker, the NBC executive who negotiates with cable distributors, like Comcast, to secure distribution rights.

The New York Times reports on an FCC ruling supporting a move to allow movie distributors to sell early release feature films via on-demand services, a process that could pit Comcast against movie theaters.

Below, the man who will lead the NBC deal regulation, video interview on the 4G market and more.

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Comcast Roundup: FCC defends right to regulate, new iPad device and More

DEFINITE READS

• Variety editorializes that Comcast has much to learn about the content world that NBC ownership would drag them into, but “is looking better all the time.”
• The Hill reports that nearly the entire Pennsylvania Congressional delegation supports the Comcast-NBC deal.
• The Inquirer’s Joe DiStefano reports on the ‘chaos’ that analysts predict will come from the FCC’s plan to regulate broadband Internet services, plans to defend so-called ‘net neutrality’ policies.
• The Washington Post reports that cable stocks took a beating because of it — and that the FCC has gone on something of a campaign to assert it does still have authority over cable broadband policy despite a recent appeals court that went in Comcast’s favor.
• With all humility, Technically Philly has a lengthy Q&A with Comcast Executive Vice President David L. Cohen on the company’s relationship with Philadelphia and his views on the region.

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Comcast Roundup: How Comcast could be affecting ‘Late Night,’ Skype has beef 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 Silicon Alley Insider suggests established players like Comcast would never have created innovations like Google so the issue of net neutrality and Comcast’s resulting power needs to be taken seriously.� Comcast EVP David Cohen says the company’s battle with the FCC has more to do with the letter of the law.

The Philadelphia Business Journal’s Peter Key says that battle seems to be going Comcast’s way.

The Atlantic Wire reports that Comcast may have a hand in NBC’s surprise decision to switch Conan O’rien for Jay Leno in the coveted late night spot. H/T Philly Tech News

Below Skype has beef, FCC delays and more.

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