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Special Reports

  • NAB 2012: Everything you need to know about broadcasting's biggest tech event of the year.
  • Gearing Up For NAB 2012: The top tech trends and issues.
  • FCC Watch: 18 Topics In 244 Words Or Less: Get briefed on what's happening at broadcasting's favorite regulatory agency by top Washington communications attorneys David Oxenford and Brendan Holland.
  • 2011—Year In Review: Revisit the year’s top developments in business, programming, journalism, technology, regulation and more.
  • Audience Measurement: The state of ratings is examined in three parts: an interview with the head of the Media Ratings Council; the growing presence of Rentrak; and the search for a better local ratings currency.
  • Traffic Reporting: This four-part TVNewsCheck Special Report focuses on what it takes to stay on top of the growing commuter gridlock across the country.
  • Remembering 9/11: TVNewsCheck looks back 10 years after the attacks with a series of five articles.
  • TOP 30 TV STATION GROUPS: Fox Television Stations is No. 1 in the revenue-based rankings, followed by the groups of the other major broadcast networks: CBS, NBC and ABC, with Tribune rounding out the top five.

Industry Calendar

May 2012
Mo
28
Memorial Day
Holiday
June 2012
Mo
11
NAB Education Foundation
Celebration of Service to America Awards
Washington, DC
Tu
Th
12-14
PromaxBDA
The Conference 2012
Los Angeles, CA
Th
Su
14-17
Investigative Reporters & Editors
IRE 2012
Boston, MA
Sa
23
NATAS
Daytime Emmy Awards
Los Angeles, CA

Station Directory

Net Essentials

AP Breaking News

Our Advertisers

Cable Operators Team Up On Wi-Fi Initiative
Los Angeles Times, May 22, 2012, 7:02 AM EDT
Nielsen, Comcast To Test Ratings For Tablets
Advertising Age, May 22, 2012, 6:24 AM EDT
Comcast has reached an agreement with Nielsen to begin testing commercial ratings for viewing that takes place on iPads and mobile devices starting this summer. Link | Add comment
Comcast Rolling Out Skype For TV
Lost Remote, May 16, 2012, 3:09 PM EDT
Comcast announced today that its Skype for TV service just launched in Seattle and Boston, with eight more markets launching by the end of the week. The $9.95/month Xfinity add-on includes an HD camera, Skype adaptor and full-keyboard remote control. Once you're wired up, you can access your Skype contacts — even import from Facebook. Link | Add comment
Comcast Looking To Sell Stake In A&E
Los Angeles Times, May 7, 2012, 7:04 AM EDT
Comcast Corp. has put the wheels in motion to sell the bulk of its small but valuable stake in A&E Television Networks whose holdings include cable channels A&E, History and Lifetime. Link | Add comment
Bloomberg Wins FCC Comcast Complaint
Adweek, May 3, 2012, 6:06 AM EDT
The FCC on Wednesday ordered Comcast to move Bloomberg TV next to other news channels, such as Comcast-owned MSNBC and CNBC, on its cable system news lineups. Link | Comments (1)
Quarterly report
Comcast’s NBC Broadcast TV Rev Up 37%
TVNewsCheck, May 2, 2012, 7:36 AM EDT
Super Bowl drives performance, but even without it, revenues were up almost 18%. Full Story | Add comment
Hulu, Networks To Restrict Free Streaming
New York Post, Apr 30, 2012, 6:43 AM EDT
Hulu, which attracted 31 million unique users in March under a free-for-all model, is taking its first steps to change to a model where viewers will have to prove they are a pay-TV customer to watch their favorite shows, according to sources. In fact, the move by Hulu toward the new model — called authentication because viewers would have to log in with their cable or satellite TV account number — was behind the move last week by Providence Equity Partners to cash out of Hulu after five years, these sources said. Link | Add comment
Comcast Says Bloomberg Lied To FCC
Los Angeles Times, Apr 25, 2012, 7:00 AM EDT
Comcast Corp. has accused Bloomberg LP of lying to the government in the latest twist in the battle between the two media behemoths. Link | Add comment
Bloomberg, Comcast Battle Over Ch. Position
New York Times, Apr 11, 2012, 6:11 AM EDT
Bloomberg says Comcast should include its business news channel in a cable news "neighborhood" on the dial, alongside CNBC and MSNBC. Link | Add comment
OWN Sets New Carriage Deal With Comcast
TVNewsCheck, Apr 2, 2012, 7:49 AM EDT
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Oprah Winfrey's cable channel has struck a distribution deal with Comcast Corp., lifting the number of homes in which the network can be seen, according to people familiar with the situation. Wall Street Journal subscribers can read the story here. | Add comment
Comcast, NBCU Pledge To Hire 1,000 Vets
TVNewsCheck, Mar 28, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT
The initiative is part of “NBC News: Hiring Our Heroes” program in conjunction with The Chamber of Commerce that’s designed to help veterans and military spouses find employment. Full Story | Add comment
Comcast To Start Minority-Owned Channels
Associated Press, Feb 21, 2012, 12:48 PM EST
Comcast will launch four minority-owned networks on its cable TV systems in the next two years, including channels spearheaded by music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and NBA great Magic Johnson. The new channels are part of an agreement reached by Comcast with the FCC and Department of Justice when it was allowed to become majority owner of NBCUniversal. Full Story | Comments (1)
Sean Combs To Start Music Channel
New York Times, Feb 21, 2012, 6:29 AM EST
The channel, called Revolt, will be announced by Combs today, and may start by the end of 2012. Comcas will carry Revolt on some of its cable systems, although the total number of homes is unclear. It is the latest of several challenges to MTV and BET, both owned by Viacom. Link | Add comment
Jessell at Large
A Year Later: Comcast Walked Its NBC Talk
TVNewsCheck, Jan 27, 2012, 3:33 PM EST
When Comcast first announced its plans a year ago to buy NBC Universal from General Electric, the experts felt it was the cable networks, not NBC and its television stations, that Comcast really wanted. There was across-the-board gnashing of teeth about what would happen to NBC. But Comcast executives assured regulators and tried to persuade the experts that that wasn't the case. They really believed in broadcasting, they said. They looked forward to reinvigorating the business and restoring the Peacock's colors. And over the past 12 months, Comcast has shown that it meant everything it said. Full Story | Comments (7)
MBC Gets $2.7 Million From Comcast, NBC
Robert Feder, Jan 27, 2012, 6:57 AM EST
Comcast Ads During NFL Game Draw Flags
Politico, Jan 24, 2012, 7:24 AM EST
Comcast Launches 'AnyPlay' Offering For iPad
MediaPost, Jan 10, 2012, 2:50 PM EST
FCC Judge Sides With Tennis Ch. Over Comcast
Hollywood Reporter, Dec 21, 2011, 5:56 AM EST
Brian Roberts Fined $500K Over Stock
Deadline.com, Dec 16, 2011, 3:20 PM EST
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission made the announcement today. Justice is filing a civil suit against the Comcast chairman, but with the proposed settlement agreement that includes the fine. Officials went after him because this is the third time Roberts failed to report that he had been granted stock above a government-set threshold that required him to make an official disclosure. Link | Add comment
BBC World News To Be Available Through Comcast
New York Times, Dec 14, 2011, 6:13 AM EST
Verizon Teams Up With 3 Cable MSOs
Washington Post, Dec 3, 2011, 9:41 AM EST
Verizon will pay $3.6 billion to Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House Networks to use a swath of cellphone airwaves that the cable giants own but do not use. That would cement Verizon's status as the dominant wireless carrier and give it access to valuable spectrum at a time when its primary rival — AT&T — is struggling to expand its network through a controversial proposed merger with T-Mobile. Link | Comments (2)
Marc Graboff Latest NBCU Exec To Leave
The Wrap, Nov 18, 2011, 8:22 PM EST
The executive, president of West Coast business operations since August 2010, is exiting under "absolutely amicable" terms, according to an NBC spokesman, who said a mutually convenient timetable is being worked out for his departure. He had been at the company since 2000. Link | Add comment
Tennis Channel Gets No Love From Comcast
Los Angeles Times, Nov 9, 2011, 6:32 AM EST
FCC Push To Expand Net Access Gains Help
New York Times, Nov 9, 2011, 6:25 AM EST
The FCC is hoping to close the digital divide by developing cheap high-speed Internet access for low-income households. Today, the commission will announce commitments from most of the big cable companies in the United States to supply access for $9.99 a month to a subset of low-income households. The low introductory price is meant to appeal to new customers who have not had broadband in the past. Link | Add comment
Comcast Exec: NBC Needs Time, Not Money
MediaPost, Nov 9, 2011, 6:10 AM EST
Comcast promised to spend more in program development and other areas to revitalize the NBC network. So far, the spending hasn’t yielded much, but Comcast CFO Michael Angelakis said there is no need to increase the level—  just allow time for NBC entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt to craft hits. Link | Comments (5)
commentary by Brian Steinberg
Does An NBC Turnaround Matter Any More?
Ad Age, Nov 3, 2011, 6:03 AM EDT
By the time Comcast gets things right, broadcast's prime roost won't be the same. Link | Comments (1)
quarterly report
Comcast's NBCU Revenue Up 4.6% In 3Q
Associated Press, Nov 2, 2011, 7:13 AM EDT
The Philadelphia-based company reported net income of $908 million, or 33 cents per share, for the July-September period. That's up from $867 million, or 31 cents per share, a year ago. Full Story | Add comment
NBC Unable to Shake Ratings Slide
Wall Street Journal, Oct 24, 2011, 6:34 AM EDT
NBC has fallen further behind its competitors this fall, heightening the challenge facing its new owner Comcast as it works to mount a turnaround. Link | Add comment
Comcast, Verizon Possible Xbox Partners
Bloomberg, Sep 30, 2011, 8:01 AM EDT
Comcast ITV Ads Score 2.7 Bil Impressions
Multichannel News, Sep 26, 2011, 2:18 PM EDT
Comcast Building iPad Solution
MacRumors, Sep 26, 2011, 9:21 AM EDT
Comcast Board Taps Rodgers To Replace Anstrom
New York Times, Sep 23, 2011, 7:11 AM EDT
Comcast CFO: NBC Needs Turnaround Time
MediaPost, Sep 21, 2011, 8:02 AM EDT
The day after NBC had an uninspiring first night of the season, Comcast CFO Michael Angelakis reiterated that the company believes it will take a while for the fourth-place network to move up the charts. Link | Comments (1)
Comcast: Low-Cost Net For Low-Income Families
Philadelphia Inquirer, Aug 31, 2011, 7:01 AM EDT
DirectTV Wins Round 1 Against Comcast
Advertising Age, Aug 10, 2011, 6:06 AM EDT
A federal judge has denied Comcast's request for a temporary restraining order against DirecTV ads promoting its popular NFL Sunday Ticket package. Link | Add comment
Comcast Sues DirecTV Over NFL Ads
Reuters, Aug 4, 2011, 2:44 PM EDT
Comcast Corp, the largest U.S. cable operator, has sued pay TV rival DirecTV, accusing it of misleading consumers by promising "free" broadcasts of National Football League games. Link | Comments (3)
quarterly report
Comcast Posts Higher 2Q Profit
Associated Press, Aug 3, 2011, 8:11 AM EDT
The cable MSO and owner of NBC today reported that its net income of $1.02 billion, or 37 cents per share, for the April to June period, up 16% from $884 million, or 31 cents per share, a year ago. Its broadcast TV segment revenue rose 18.5%, boosted by its acquisition of the NBC and Telemundo networks and stations. Full Story | Add comment
Pac-12 To Launch National Net, 6 Regionals
Hollywood Reporter, Jul 28, 2011, 5:56 AM EDT
The newly expanded Pac-12 Conference has partnered with cable operators Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks to create a national network and six regional networks. Link | Add comment
New Tech Lets Comcast Slot Ads Into Reruns
Philadelphia Inquirer, Jul 27, 2011, 6:45 AM EDT
Comcast Corp. is moving to earn money off its popular video-on-demand service by "dynamically" inserting advertisements into TV reruns. Link | Add comment
Comcast Expands Carriage Of 8 Hispanic Networks
RTT News, Jul 26, 2011, 3:15 PM EDT
NBC, Comcast Adopt Dynamic Ads For VOD
MediaPost, Jul 26, 2011, 2:57 PM EDT
Moving toward a world of complete TV messaging targeting, Comcast and NBC Universal have adopted dynamic ad insertion for the company's video-on-demand programming. Dynamic ad insertion allows for advertisements to be easily changed at any time. Link | Add comment
SMG, Maxus Win Comcast, NBC Agency Biz
TVNewsCheck, Jul 21, 2011, 3:38 PM EDT
SMG will continue to support Comcast Cable and add the NBCUniversal theme parks to its portfolio. Maxus will support NBCUniversal’s domestic properties, while GroupM's MediaCom will continue to represent the company's media interests outside the U.S. Full Story | Add comment
Comcast-Spectacor In Deal To Sell NBA’s 76ers
Hollywood Reporter, Jul 14, 2011, 6:04 AM EDT
Comcast May Be Fined In Tennis Ch. Dispute
Los Angeles Times, Jul 12, 2011, 6:21 AM EDT
The FCC's Enforcement Bureau is recommending that cable giant Comcast Corp. be sanctioned for unfairly using its market muscle to squeeze the small independent Tennis Channel. Link | Add comment
Comcast Extends Contract For CEO Brian Roberts
Los Angeles Times, Jul 5, 2011, 6:58 AM EDT
NBC Retrans Pays Off For Comcast
MediaPost, Jul 1, 2011, 2:56 PM EDT
NBC should begin receiving retrans payments for its 10-owned stations in 2013, which should have Comcast paying itself handsomely. Comcast delivers the NBC-owned stations into more homes than any other operator. Link | Add comment
Comcast Lets Networks Program Remind Alerts
MediaPost, Jun 20, 2011, 8:26 AM EDT
cable show 2011
Comcast To Link Xfinity To The Cloud
Los Angeles Times, Jun 17, 2011, 6:39 AM EDT
On Thursday at the NCTA conference in Chicago, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts unveiled the latest generation of the Philadelphia cable giant's Xfinity TV system, which includes applications to connect viewers via the cloud to their Facebook page, traffic and weather reports and Pandora Internet radio. Link | Add comment
Comcast Tests Social TV With Facebook
Lost Remote, Jun 14, 2011, 3:31 PM EDT
Comcast will announce at the Cable Show later this week a “next generation TV experience” that it’s currently testing in Augusta, Ga. The system will include interactive apps that are easy to access and enhanced for TV, such as traffic and weather, and social apps such as Facebook that let users share and discover what to watch with their friends. Link | Add comment
Comcast To Offer Subs Skype On Their TVs
New York Times, Jun 14, 2011, 6:18 AM EDT
In the cable television industry's latest extension into home communication, Comcast and Skype announced on Monday that some Comcast customers would soon be able to video chat on their TV sets from the comfort of their living rooms. Link | Comments (1)
Bloomberg Challenges Comcast's Ch. Lineup
Reuters, Jun 13, 2011, 2:45 PM EDT
Bloomberg LP, unhappy with the placement of its financial news channel in Comcast Corp's cable television lineup, filed a complaint with the FCC on Monday, accusing the cable operator of violating a condition of its merger with NBC Universal. Link | Add comment
news analysis
Comcast's Olympics Bet Met With Skepticism
Bloomberg, Jun 10, 2011, 6:17 AM EDT
Comcast Corp. CEO Brian Roberts says NBC Universal's $4.38 billion deal for the television rights for the next four Olympics will be profitable. Some analysts disagree. Link | Add comment
news analysis
Keeping Olympics Was Priority For NBC
Los Angeles Times, Jun 9, 2011, 6:50 AM EDT
Many media observers thought NBC would walk away from the Olympics. After all, it lost $233 million on the 2010 Games and is likely to take a bath on the 2012 Games. But NBC agreed to shell out $4.38 billion to the International Olympic Committee to hold on to the Games through 2020. For all the talk about how the new owner Comcast was going to be tougher when it came to buying sports, there was also a fear of being branded as the people who lost the Olympics and drove another nail into the coffin of NBC. Link | Add comment
Comcast Said To Be In Talks To Sell G4
New York Times, Jun 9, 2011, 6:29 AM EDT
Comcast is in talks to sell a controlling interest in the G4 cable channel to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Ultimate Fighting Championship, which produces popular but sometimes controversial mixed martial arts matches, is known to be seeking an expansion of its television footprint. Link | Add comment
dma 3
Will New Owners Bring New Boss To WMAQ?
Robert Feder, Jun 6, 2011, 6:55 AM EDT
After 13 years at the top of Chicago’s NBC-owned station, is veteran broadcasting executive Larry Wert moving up or out? As ratings and revenues decline at WMAQ 5 and new owner Comcast Corp. takes a hard look at all of its operations, talk of a management shakeup has moved beyond industry gossip. Link | Comments (1)
Bloomberg And Comcast Fighting Again
Los Angeles Times, May 31, 2011, 6:51 AM EDT
The business news giant is accusing Comcast of reneging on a promise it made to the FCC as part of the government agency's approval of its deal to acquire control of General Electric Co.'s NBCUniversal. At issue is where the Bloomberg Television channel is placed on Comcast cable systems. Link | Add comment
Comcast, NBCU Merge Venture Capital Units
Multichannel News, May 27, 2011, 5:52 AM EDT
Comcast has combined its venture capital arm Comcast Interactive Capital with the Peacock Equity Fund — formerly a venture capital affiliate of NBC Universal and General Electric — establishing a new fund called Comcast Ventures. which will be headed by former Comcast Interactive Media President Amy Banse. Link | Add comment
Comcast To Test Tech Overhaul
Wall Street Journal, May 26, 2011, 6:14 AM EDT
The country's largest cable-service provider soon will start testing a new way to deliver its television channels, co-opting the same technology standard that upstart Internet rivals have used to challenge traditional pay-TV business models. Link | Add comment
news analysis
Comcast Made Rare PR Misstep In Baker Hire
Los Angeles Times, May 24, 2011, 7:17 AM EDT
Comcast Corp. was masterful when it pushed its acquisition of NBCUniversal through regulators and lawmakers. That's why Comcast's recent stumble in the hiring of FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker as a lobbyist is so surprising. Did Comcast not think there would be any blowback to hiring a regulator who just four months earlier voted to approve its purchase of control of NBCUniversal? Link | Comments (1)
Comcast Expands TV One Distribution
Multichannel News, May 9, 2011, 3:02 PM EDT
'Anti-Fox' Free Speech TV Wants Spot On Comcast
Denver Post, May 5, 2011, 6:57 AM EDT
earnings call
Comcast To Invest $300M In NBCU This Year
Associated Press, May 4, 2011, 2:49 PM EDT
The company, which bought a controlling interest in NBCUniversal in January, said $200 million will be spent mainly on new NBC shows to fill the 10 p.m. slot where Jay Leno briefly hosted a variety show every weeknight. It was a moneysaving move that was abandoned within months, after local stations complained that low ratings were hurting their 11 p.m. news. Full Story | Add comment
quarterly report
Comcast 1Q Earnings Up 9%, Beat Street
Associated Press, May 3, 2011, 5:20 PM EDT
At NBC Universal, revenue fell because last year's figure was boosted by the Olympics. Excluding the Olympics, revenue rose 5%, helped chiefly by its cable networks, which include Bravo, E! and USA. They saw advertising revenue climb 14%, continuing to recover after the recession. Full Story | Add comment
FCC OKs Sale of NBCU's KWHY Los Angeles
TVNewsCheck, May 3, 2011, 7:23 AM EDT
As a condition of its merger with NBCU last January, Comcast promised to spin off Spanish-language KWHY Los Angeles to a minority-owned buyer. It made good on that promise by agreeing to sell the station to the Hispanic-owned Meruelo Group. With the FCC go-ahead, the parties may now close on the $40 million deal. | Add comment
FEARnet Rolls Out New Programs, Carriage Deals
TVWeek, May 3, 2011, 6:12 AM EDT
Comcast Bolsters Its On-Demand Roster
New York Times, Apr 27, 2011, 2:55 PM EDT
Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, says it now has a selection of TV shows from all four of the major networks, with the addition of prime-time programming from ABC and Fox. While the selection is still incomplete — hit shows like Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory are missing — Comcast boasts that it is the first cable or satellite operator to have on-demand deals with all four networks. Link | Add comment
NBC, Versus Seal New TV Deal With NHL
The Wrap, Apr 19, 2011, 2:07 PM EDT
Comcast and the National Hockey League have announced a new agreement that will give NBC and Versus rights to televise hockey games for the next 10 years at least. Link | Add comment
Comcast Moves Goal Posts For NBC Sports
Wall Street Journal, Apr 15, 2011, 6:11 AM EDT
Less than three months after Comcast Corp. took control of NBCUniversal, NBCU's new CEO, Steve Burke, is angling for sports deals and pushing a big shift in how the entertainment company would use them. Link | Add comment
Roberts' 2010 Compensation Put At $31.1M
Associated Press, Apr 4, 2011, 5:49 AM EDT
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts received a performance-based cash bonus of $10.9 million in 2010, boosting his total compensation package to $31.1 million, a 14% increase over the previous year. Full Story | Add comment
Asian-Themed Mnet In Carriage Deal With Comcast
Multichannel News, Mar 31, 2011, 6:28 AM EDT
NBCUniversal Reading Comcast's Fine Print
Deadline Hollywood, Mar 22, 2011, 8:37 AM EDT
Remember that stock which the new Comcast owners of NBCUniversal gave to employees on the first official takeover day January 27th? Well, turns out you have to remain an employee there until the year 2016 to actually collect those 25 shares. As a source tells me, "Just when you thought Comcast/NBCU was being generous.... Nope. They are basically giving the equivalent of an annual bonus of $125 for five years -- if you can last that long." Link | Comments (1)
NCTA's McSlarrow Joining Comcast
B&C, Mar 10, 2011, 5:56 AM EST
National Cable & Telecommunications Association President Kyle McSlarrow will join Comcast as president, Comcast/NBCU, Washington, beginning next month. McSlarrow announced last fall that he would be leaving the association to seek a job in the industry he had spent the last half a decade promoting in Washington. Link | Add comment
Sinclair, Comcast In Multi-Year Retrans Deal
Mar 3, 2011, 8:52 AM EST
Sinclair Broadcast Group announced today that it has reached an agreement-in-principle with Comcast Corp. for a multiyear agreement for the continued carriage of 36 stations in 22 markets owned and/or operated by Sinclair or to which Sinclair provides sales services. | Add comment
Roberts Wants 'Thoughtful' NBCU Turnaround
Hollywood Reporter, Mar 3, 2011, 6:00 AM EST
Brian Roberts says he is hopeful that the NBC network will start making money over time, but emphasizes that NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt has "a very tough job." Link | Add comment
Cable Ready For Interactive Advertising
MediaPost, Feb 28, 2011, 8:11 AM EST
The country's two leading cable operators are deploying the EBIF technology that propels interactive advertising at a rapid clip. Comcast has 14 million-plus homes where set-top boxes have the technology installed, while Time Warner Cable had EBIF teed up in approximately 5 million set-top boxes at the end of 2010. Link | Add comment
Al-Jazeera Seeks Distribution Deal With Comcast
Philly.com, Feb 25, 2011, 6:34 AM EST
Comcast To Tighten Ebersol's Purse Strings?
Mediaweek, Feb 17, 2011, 5:38 AM EST
Dick Ebersol may be hamstrung in his latest bid to land the media rights to the 2014 and 2016 Olympics, as his new boss at NBC Universal suggested he’s ready to put an end to the Peacock’s free-spending ways. Link | Add comment
Burke On NBCU: First Do No Harm
Multichannel News, Feb 17, 2011, 5:25 AM EST
NBC Universal chief Steve Burke said that with regulatory approvals behind it and the joint venture deal officially closed, his initial focus will be to help the cable networks maintain their leadership position in the industry, while improving its broadcast operations may take a little more time. Link | Comments (4)
Comcast Profit Up, Fueled By Big-Ticket Buys
Reuters, Feb 16, 2011, 8:30 AM EST
Comcast Corp. reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings as it benefited from surging ad sales and signed up customers to higher-priced packages of cable, voice and broadband service. Comcast's upbeat results — its subscriber growth was also ahead of most expectations — came during a quarter in which the company plowed resources into finishing its deal to acquire NBC Universal. Link | Add comment
Comcast, Time Warner Join IPv6 Test Program
CNET, Feb 15, 2011, 7:30 AM EST
Market Share by P.J. Bednarski
Stations Missing Multicast Ad Opportunities
TVNewsCheck, Feb 7, 2011, 6:25 AM EST
The city of Concord, Calif., has banded together with local auto dealers to commit up to $80,000 to a multimedia ad campaign promoting buying cars at home. So who’s getting that money? Not a single TV station. Instead, Comcast Spotlight, which divides the area into 22 mini-markets with targeted advertising. With most TV stations still not sure what to do with multicast channels, it would seem to me that it’s somewhere between plausible and possible to reorient them toward serving a geographic segment of a station’s market.  Full Story | Comments (6)
Ebersol Starts To Reshape Sports At Comcast
New York Times, Feb 3, 2011, 6:27 AM EST
Dick Ebersol, who has run NBC Sports for nearly 22 years, is wasting little time putting his personal stamp on the sports properties of Comcast, which include the Golf Channel and Versus, and 11 regional sports networks. NBC executives with long connections to Ebersol are adding new roles at the Comcast units five days after Comcast took control of NBC Universal. Some Versus officials lost their jobs. Link | Add comment
Comcast, TW Sign Online Streaming Deal
New York Times, Feb 2, 2011, 6:49 AM EST
In a first-of-its-kind deal, Comcast and Time Warner moved forward with their vision of "TV Everywhere," signing a new contract that covers the online streaming of channels like TNT, TBS, CNN and the Cartoon Network. The contract demonstrates that Internet rights for TV shows and channels are becoming increasingly important to distributors as they try to keep up with consumers’ changing habits. Link | Comments (1)
NBCU Chief Burke Resigns As Comcast COO
Reuters, Jan 31, 2011, 2:50 PM EST
NBC Universal's new chief executive, Steve Burke, has resigned as Comcast Corp.'s chief operating officer but will remain an executive vice president of the cable company, according to a regulatory filing today. Burke became NBCU CEO after Comcast's takeover of the company closed on Friday. Link | Comments (2)
Comcast Preps For Thurs. NBC Town Hall Meeting
Los Angeles Times, Jan 25, 2011, 6:52 AM EST
commentary by Brian Steinberg
Peacock Getting New Plumage Yet Again
Advertising Age, Jan 21, 2011, 2:20 PM EST
With the departure of Angela Bromstad, president of NBC's primetime entertainment, it's clear that all bets are off for the network's first fall season under Comcast instead of General Electric. Link | Add comment
Retrains wars
Allbritton, Comcast Complete Retrans Deal
TVNewsCheck, Jan 20, 2011, 6:15 PM EST
The multi-year agreement covers Allbritton’s ABC affiliates in Washington; Harrisburg, Pa.; Lynchburg, Va.; Charleston, S.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to its Washington cable news channel. Full Story | Add comment
Apps Irk Cable Networks
Mediaweek, Jan 10, 2011, 6:19 AM EST
Comcast’s scheme to begin streaming live video content to iPads and other tablets precipitated a flurry of legal correspondence last week, as several cable network groups made it clear that they had not signed off on any such arrangement. Link | Add comment
ces 2011
Pay TV Moves To Adapt To Internet Age
Los Angeles Times, Jan 6, 2011, 6:38 AM EST
Cisco and Comcast unveil new technology meant to keep subscribers in the fold. Link | Add comment
ces 2011
Comcast To Air Live TV on iPads, Tablets
MediaPost, Jan 5, 2011, 2:39 PM EST
Comcast says it plans to offer live television programming on iPads and other computer tablets later this year. For the iPad alone, Comcast says it will provide nearly 3,000 hours of TV content on demand. Link | Add comment
retrans wars
Comcast Girds For Carriage War With Dish
The Wrap, Dec 31, 2010, 7:53 AM EST
Comcast-owned cable channels E! and Style released a statement on Thursday indicating that they could have their signals pulled off of Dish Network after Friday, when their current carriage deal with the satellite service expires. Link | Add comment
Comcast Ponders An Olympic Plunge
New York Times, Dec 29, 2010, 8:19 AM EST
Does Comcast cherish the Olympics with the same fervor as did General Electric, which has paid billions to make NBC the network of the Summer and the Winter Games for a generation? Link | Add comment
Comcast Tests Combo Internet-Cable Device
Wall Street Journal, Dec 14, 2010, 6:30 AM EST
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.  Under the new system, which is being tested in Augusta, Ga., content flows through a set-top box that combines features of the Web with those of a DVR. Link | Add comment
FCC To Hear Tennis Complaint Against Comcast
B&C, Dec 10, 2010, 8:12 AM EST
Writers Seek Labor Contract On Comcast Shows
Los Angeles Times, Dec 9, 2010, 6:36 AM EST
Netflix Partner: Comcast Threatens Online Delivery
New York Times, Nov 30, 2010, 8:34 AM EST
Burke: The Un-Mogul Who's Reinventing TV
Advertising Age, Nov 29, 2010, 8:08 AM EST
Comcast's Steve Burke will decide what you aee and how you'll see it — and change the ad model in the process. Link | Add comment
Comcast-Tennis Ch. Dispute Going To FCC
B&C, Nov 23, 2010, 3:00 PM EST
Comcast confirms that its outside mediation with Tennis Channel to try to resolve a carriage complaint has failed and the dispute will now go before an FCC administrative law judge. Link | Add comment
Brian Williams, Jimmy Fallon Rib Brian Roberts
New York Times, Nov 19, 2010, 6:33 AM EST
Can Robert Greenblatt Save NBC?
Hollywood Reporter, Nov 19, 2010, 6:11 AM EST
It's not clear whether any mortal can save NBC, but if anyone has a shot it might be Robert Greenblatt, who will oversee entertainment programming once NBC Universal's merger with Comcast in completed. Link | Add comment
Comcast Unveils NBCU Management Lineup
Associated Press, Nov 18, 2010, 1:06 PM EST
Former Showtime entertainment president Bob Greenblatt today was named chairman of NBC Entertainment. His appointment suggests that cable operator Comcast Corp., which is seeking approval to buy a controlling stake in NBC, won't be content to let NBC stay in fourth place. It also signals that Comcast will return to investing in new shows in a big way. Full Story | Add comment
Comcast Talks With Govt. On NBC Heat Up
Reuters, Nov 17, 2010, 6:05 AM EST
Talks have intensified in recent days between U.S. regulators and representatives of cable giant Comcast Corp. over its bid to take control of NBC Universal, according to people familiar with the talks. Comcast is pushing to close the deal by year-end, the sources said. Link | Add comment
Comcast Unveils TV-Listing App For iPad Users
Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov 16, 2010, 7:00 AM EST
Comcast: Limit Government's Role In Internet
Los Angeles Times, Nov 16, 2010, 6:55 AM EST
In a speech at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, Comcast EVP David Cohen attempted to make the case to keep the government's role in overseeing the Internet to a minimum. Link | Comments (1)
NBC's Gaspin Resigns, Citing Lack of Role
The Wrap, Nov 15, 2010, 7:35 PM EST
Jeff Gaspin has resigned as chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, a role he has held since July 2009. As reported late last week, the new Comcast plan for NBC Universal television left no major role for Gaspin, and the executive indicated as much in a memo to NBC employees on Monday afternoon. Link | Add comment
Comcast Rolls Out TV App For iPad
MarketWatch, Nov 15, 2010, 12:46 PM EST
Comcast Corp. said today that it will unveil an application for Apple Inc.'s iPad that allows Comcast digital subscribers to watch movies and TV shows on the tablet device, starting next month.The first version of the Xfinity TV app will be available on Apple's iTunes Store this week. Link | Add comment
Comcast: Google, 'TV Everywhere' Don't Mix
Multichannel News, Nov 15, 2010, 6:14 AM EST
Comcast customers can't use a Google TV-based device to access authenticated programming on the MSO's TV Everywhere site — but only because the Internet company's software is not compatible with the operator's video players, according to Comcast. Link | Comments (1)
Uncovering the Comcast-NBCU Exec Lineup
The Wrap, Nov 11, 2010, 7:38 AM EST
As previously reported, the peacock in chief will be Steve Burke, the Comcast COO who will become the chief executive at NBC Universal. The new structure envisions a multipronged hierarchy, with a half-dozen division heads reporting directly to Burke. The current layer of executive leadership in Jeff Zucker is essentially removed. Link | Comments (1)
Comcast Looking To NBCU For Leadership
New York Post, Nov 8, 2010, 6:42 AM EST
Comcast is relying on the ranks of NBC Universal's management to fill top jobs as it prepares to take the wraps off a new post-merger pecking order. Comcast's point man on the integration, COO Steve Burke, has started signing contracts and is expected to unveil a final management structure around Thanksgiving. Link | Add comment
ESPN Suits Up For NHL Rights Brawl
Mediaweek, Nov 8, 2010, 6:01 AM EST
In a move that would serve to kneecap the ambitions of Comcast-NBC Universal, ESPN is poised to take a run at the rights for the National Hockey League. And the battle for the NHL could function as a dry run for ESPN’s pursuit of a far bigger prize: the Olympics. That said, Bristol does not have an open field spread out before it; as the incumbent cable rights holder, Comcast’s Versus has first dibs. Link | Add comment

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Symbol Last Change (%)
Nasdaq 2839.38 -10.74 (-0.38%)
NYSE 7552.36 +11.46 (+0.15%)
S&P 500 1320.68 +1.82 (+0.14%)
Updated 05/24 5:37p ET Quotes delayed at least 20 mins.
Source: Financial Content

Ratings

Overnights, adults 18-49 for May 23, 2012
  • 1.
    6.1/18
  • 2.
    2.6/7
  • 3.
    2.0/6
  • 4.
    1.5/4
  • 5.
    1.4/4
  • 6.
    0.4/1
Source: Nielsen
Reviews
Opinions
Features
  • David Wiegand

    Fans of Sex and the City have finally gotten their wish: Their beloved sex-focused sitcom is back on the air ... sort of. The four women have become four men, of course, and the writing isn't as good. Oh, and the laugh track so annoying, it's offensive. And did I mention that the costumes would be considered fashionable if you were holding a yard sale? Men at Work on TBS is almost quaint, it's so old fashioned. If it had any meat on its bones, you'd be tempted to say it's the sadly ignoble epitome of TV's long-festering emasculated-men syndrome. But it's so much of a big, forgettable, innocuous shrug, it's not even worth any actual vitriol.

  • Mike Hale

    The USA Network's motto is "Characters Welcome." Apparently they're especially welcome if they resemble Oscar Madison and Felix Unger. Already stocked with Odd Couple knockoffs in Psych and White Collar, USA adds to its inventory Common Law, another comic crime-fighting show about mismatched partners. But this latest entry exhibits very little of that kind of spark as it tries to wring laughs from the juxtaposition of counseling and police work. It looks too flat and schematically plotted to succeed as the type of lightweight summer fun we’ve come to expect from USA.

  • Joanne Ostrow

    Johnny Carson: Fantastic entertainer, miserable human being. That's the lasting message of Johnny Carson: King of Late Night, the new PBS American Masters film, a rich history of a rare product of television who dominated the small screen for decades. Unprecedented access to personal archives plus all existing episodes of The Tonight Show (1962-92), distinguishes this film by Peter Jones. Telling interviews with family and colleagues, including second wife Joanne Carson, former Tonight Show executive producer Peter Lassally and a number of biographers sharpen the picture. The clips are carefully selected to illustrate specific personality traits, the performance highlights are given context and meaning beyond funny lines and memorable moments.

  • Hank Stuever

    AMC's The Pitch is a sharply-made if slightly off-putting reality series that follows different advertising agencies each week as they compete for new accounts. The inspiration for the show — made clear by its own ad campaign — is to harness some of the verve generated by the network's acclaimed Mad Men. The Pitch has a way of making the ad world seem like a real downer — a repugnant exercise in egotism laced with depressing bouts of creative compromise.

  • Tim Goodman

    HBO's Veep stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Sen. Selina Meyer, who accepts the vice presidential duty and regrets it almost immediately: She has no real power and gets muscled by the Senate, Congress and the (so-far-unseen) president, who delegates all the truly crappy jobs to her. Louis-Dreyfus has found perhaps her best post-Seinfeld role and takes to it with such fervor — the constant swearing, the barely veiled desire to become president, the unhappy give-and-take with other politicians and a delightful disdain for average citizens — that you can't help but applaud what is clearly an Emmy-worthy effort. Her work alone makes Veep a gem, but there's even more to like.

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