Scrapple TV: Marc Brodzik of Woodshop Films wants national ‘pirate TV’ network online [VIDEO]

Woodshop Films founder Marc Brodzik gives direction to Scrapple TV Sports co-anchor 'Hot Carl' during a recent shoot.

The following is a report done in partnership with Temple University’s Philadelphia Neighborhoods Program, the capstone class for the Temple Journalism Department.

A man in a suit and white beard with a deep baritone began to read the news in front of a green screen.

Suddenly, the bright ring of a cell phone broke the silence in the otherwise quiet recording studio. Marc Brodzik, who was standing behind the camera, wearing a faded Tide detergent shirt, shorts and flip-flops, reached into his pocket and with a grin pulled out his phone and shut the ringer off.

“Phones off, bitches.”

It is with that humor and laid backed demeanor that things are run at Brodzik’s Woodshop Films, a local video production company that started its own internet channel, called Scrapple TV, three years ago.

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Comcast to spend $1B to become full Universal Studios owner: Roundup

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 subscri ption for our Comcast news updates.

DEFINITE READS

• Comcast to Buy Blackstone’s Stake in Universal’s Orlando Parks (Exclusive) [The Wrap] — “Comcast is expected to pay between $1 billion to $1.5 billion to become the full owner of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure”
• Ebersol’s Parting Thoughts [Wall Street Journal: The Daily Fix] — Longtime NBC Sports head Dick Ebersol spills upon his abrupt departure.

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What if a tweet cost your nonprofit $18,000 in Comcast funding?: Roundup

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

• Comcast yanks funds for nonprofit after tweet about FCC Baker’s jump [Post Tech: Washington Post] — Seattle nonprofit Reel Grrls tweeted in opposition to the hire of former FCC chair Meredith Attwell Baker, which prompted a Comcast flack to threaten the organization’s funding, a stance that was then reversed by the company. Now the nonprofit has said it had decided to not take any Comcast funding anyway because the instance had ‘raised too many concerns.’ The funding in question was $18,000.
• Dick Ebersol Resigns From NBC Sports [New York Times] — “Dick Ebersol, who had defined NBC’s formidable Olympic presence since the mid-1990s and who was the last of the high-profile TV sports impresarios, resigned abruptly on Thursday after negotiations on a four-year contract collapsed. ” Ebersol profile by LA Times here.
• As New Owner of NBC Universal, Can Comcast Merge the Corporate with the Creative? [Knowledge@Wharton]

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Project Open Voice: Comcast launches project to increase local media, video and other content in Philly, elsewhere

Comcast is launching Project Open Voice, a three-year initiative that fits into its federal mandate to bolster local and minority-themed video content. According to a release: “over the next three years we will create portals for local media online and OnDemand in six communities – Philadelphia PA; Hialeah FL; Houston TX; Peterborough, NH; Fresno, CA; and Medford MA. These communities represent a cross-section of American culture and diversity.”

Pledged features include:

• Content with local relevancy
• Public, Educational and Governmental focuses
• Local sports and entertainment additions
• NBCU and Telemundo programming bolstered

What’s next? “Comcast team members will gather with City and PEG programming representatives shortly to kick off the POV project planning in Philadelphia.”

As part of detailed agreements with the FCC regarding its majority acquisition of NBC Universal, Comcast pledged to bolster its local and minority-themed programming.

Colin Weir: “there’s no startup culture around video” in Philly

This is Exit Interview, a weekly interview series with someone who has left Philadelphia, perhaps for another country or region or even just out of city limits and often taking talent, business and jobs with them. If you or someone you know left Philly for whatever reason, we want to hear from you. Contact us.

In a few weeks, Colin Weir will be gone.

The Toms River, N.J. native video producer is leaving April 19 to work for TWiT.tv in Petaluma, Calif. A Rowan University alumnus, Weir, 25, is leaving a job as a video production specialist for a Center City hospital to chase dreams westward.

Though he wants to stay in Philly, he says there just isn’t a culture around video like Philly is developing in other creative fields. Below, Weir talks about how he sees Philly on his way to the airport.

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“What used to be called ‘reruns’ on television is now called Netflix:” Comcast Roundup

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 subscri ption for our Comcast news updates.

DEFINITE READS

• Comcast CEO Brian Roberts Calls Netflix Streaming Service a Positive [Hollywood Reporter] “What used to be called “reruns” on television is now called Netflix,” he says
• Comcast’s Brian Roberts: The man who loves cable [Company Town: Los Angeles Times] — Brian Roberts was most concerned about transitioning Steve Burke from COO to NBC chief.

MIGHT INTEREST

• Peers or not? Comcast and Level 3 slug it out at FCC’s doorstep [ars technica] H/T PTN
• Comcast, NBC deal opens door for online video [USA Today]
• Cable TV In Pursuit Of Mobility [State of the Art: New York Times] — A funny faux internal Comcast memo on trends in the industry of TV.

Below, a big deal with Samsung, negotiating Manhattan real estate and more.

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Comcast Roundup: Will Comcast support another NBC push for Olympics coverage?

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

• Comcast Deal May Hang on Showing Rivals’ Online Video [BusinessWeek] — Nothing new here, online video has always been the most talked about issue in the merger
• In NBC’s Shadow, Comcast Ponders an Olympic Plunge [New York Times]
• FCC chair to approve Comcast-NBC merger with conditions for program sharing [Post Tech: Washington Post]

Below, discounts to lower income customers, video of ‘Comcast Holiday Hell’ and more.

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Comcast Roundup: FCC approves net neutrality policy and Comcast doesn’t hate it

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

• Regulators’ review of Comcast-NBC deal expected to continue into 2011 [Post Tech: Washington Post] paidContent reports that it’s a given that regulation will continue into 2011.
• FCC Pushes Through Net Neutrality—And Draws Fire From Right And Left [paidContent] — Sometimes the trouble with compromise is that neither side is very much happy.
• FCC Votes on Rules for the Open Internet [Comcast blog] SVP David L. Cohen gives a hesitant seal of approval on net neutrality policy from the FCC, though analysts suggest there is still battle to be had over whether the FCC has the authority to govern open internet policies.
• Comcast asks for limited online video conditions to merger with NBC [Post Tech: Washington Post] — “A senior Comcast executive told the Federal Communication Commission Wednesday that if the agency includes online video among conditions for regulatory approval of the company’s proposed merger with NBC Universal, those provisions should be narrowly tailored. “

MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

• Comcast Responds to Level 3′s FCC Filing [Comcast blog] — The company filed a letter with the FCC regarding their dispute with Level 3.
• 2011 Journalism Predictions [Nieman Journalism Lab] Bob Garfield of Advertising age, with perhaps some measure of hyperbole, suggests that in 2011 Comcast will sell NBC to IAC Chairman Barry Diller.
• African American Leadership Organizations and Comcast/NBC Universal Announce Memorandum of Understanding [Comcast blog] — On bringing in racially diverse blocs of support for the NBC merger.

WORTH NOTING

• 50 more high-def channels from Comcast [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Comcast Roundup: Senate chairman worried, House leader encouraged by NBC deal

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

• Internet issues bog down Comcast-NBC merger [LA Times]
• Comcast Tests Combo Internet-Cable Device [Wall Street Journal] — “Comcast Corp. is testing a new service that knits together television and the Internet, as the U.S. cable giant goes after rivals that threaten to undermine its business.
• Rockefeller Pans Comcast-NBCU Deal [Tech Daily Does: National Journal] — “Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller – the most powerful voice in Congress on telecom policy — told the FCC he’s worried that the $30 billion transaction could have a detrimental impact on consumers and competition.”
• Comcast getting good deal on NBC Universal, research firm Bernstein says [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Below, why Comcast should chase the Olympics, is the end of NBC regulatory approval nearing and more.

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Comcast Roundup: Level 3 price dispute becomes focus, ensnaring NetFlix, 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

• Comcast Puts Tollbooth on Net Video, Says Backbone Provider [Epicenter: Wired] Colorado-based online video streaming service Level 3, which has NetFlix as a primary client, accuses Comcast of charging unfair rates. Comcast says it’s a standard rate negotiation.
• 10 Facts About Peering, Comcast and Level 3 [Comcast blog]
• What The Comcast/Level 3 Fracas Is Really About: Money [Tech Crunch]

More on the Level 3 dispute, another profile of anointed Comcast lead of NBC Universal Stephen Burke and more.

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