My DIRECTV USA » Comcast Corporation

Comcast Expands Carriage of Hispanic Networks

admin — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:40:42 +0000

Comcast Corporation has announced that it is expanding the carriage of eight Hispanic networks by approximately 14 million total subscribers.

Among the public commitments made as part of Comcast’s acquisition of NBCUniversal was an agreement to increase the distribution of at least three networks that are American Latino-owned or -controlled or target the Latino community by at least 10 million digital basic subscribers within six months after the deal closed on January 28. Comcast will surpass that goal by 40 percent by adding approximately 14 million subscribers to eight Hispanic networks.

“We are pleased to be bringing more Hispanic programming to millions of consumers across the U.S.,” said David Jensen, Vice President of Content Acquisition for Comcast Cable. “Comcast strives to deliver programming that brings the world to our customers, and I’m proud that we were able to go far beyond our commitment by delivering this great new programming.”

The eight Hispanic or Spanish-language networks that have expanded carriage on Comcast systems are Azteca America, Galavision, HITN, LATV, -mun2, Telefutura, Telemundo and Univision.

The increased carriage for these networks will be achieved primarily by adding the channels to new cable systems and markets. For example, the Hispanic Information & Telecommunications Network (HITN) will be added to the Comcast cable line-ups in Boston, Atlanta, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Miami, Western New England, Michigan and Indiana. Azteca America will launch in New York and Philadelphia. Comcast, which serves more than 23 million subscribers across the United States, provides more than 60 Hispanic or Spanish-language networks on most of its major cable systems.

Enhancing the reach of these networks is the latest in a series of steps Comcast is taking to increase the availability of minority-focused programming on its cable systems. Since April, the entertainment provider has announced plans to boost the reach of Mnet, the English-language Asian pop culture channel, by more than 2 million subscribers; while two African-American-focused networks, The Africa Channel and TV One, will be added to a combined 2.3 million new homes.

“This partnership with Comcast is a step in our expansion strategy to meet the demand of the increasing Latino community,” said Jose Luis Rodriguez, President and CEO of HITN. “Our programming will now reach millions of new households, providing our viewers the tools they need to navigate life in the U.S.”

Comcast Launches Special On Demand Programming Highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:03:46 +0000

Comcast has launched a special On Demand programming that will take Comcast’s digital video customers on a cultural journey during Hispanic Heritage Month.

In addition to award-winning movies, customers will be able to watch specials that highlight the people, landscape, cuisine, culture and music of Latin America, including features on some of the top Hispanic entertainers from around the world.

“Comcast is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and will provide more Latin On Demand content for our customers,” said Kim Taylor, Vice President Multicultural Marketing for Comcast. “Our Hispanic Heritage Month programming will be available in both English and Spanish, offering the most Hispanic content available in your home anytime.”

“We are excited about participating in and supporting this initiative, which underscores Comcast’s commitment to serve the Hispanic community with quality television all year round and especially during this month-long celebration,” said Luis Villanueva, President and CEO of SOMOSTV, producers of VeneMovies and Semillitas. “Comcast’s leading role in the industry is extremely important to raise the salience of the Hispanic Culture and its contribution to America’s diversity.”

Comcast digital video customers will have access to the special programming through October 15, while also being able to watch to the best selection of Spanish broadcast and cable channels, including 250 choices On Demand, featuring 65 of the greatest Latino films of all time.

Comcast’s Hispanic Heritage Month programming highlights include:

People: Biography Channel’s specials on Ricky Martin, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez, and Emilio & Gloria Estefan, and CNN’s Latino in America Parts 1 & 2;
Award-winning films: The Motorcycle Diaries, Pan’s Labyrinth and Like Water for Chocolate;
Cultural entertainment: Activity TV’s Puerto Rican Masks, Guatemalan Dolls, and Mexican Paper Hearts, as well as Our Family Wedding, and Carlos Mencia in The Best of Funny is Funny;
Music: Music videos by artists like Shakira, Juanes, Aventura, Pitbull, Ivy Queen, among others, as well as musically themed movies, including El Cantante and Selena;
Cuisine: Alterna TV’s La Cocina de la Independencia and Venemovies’ Cilantro y Perejil;
Landscapes: Discovery Atlas: Mexico Revealed;
History: Special On Demand programming commemorating this year’s bicentennial celebrations in Latin America, including De tres colores and Univision’s Prime Time specials Anhelos de la Libertad, La Decena Tragica and Dia de Gloria;
Children’s programming: Special episodes of popular kid’s shows such as Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go! in Spanish;

Comcast Expands On Demand Library

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:08:04 +0000

Comcast has announced the launch of 9,000 more on-demand movie choices in Philadelphia and Washington, DC markets. Comcast new addition will increase the VOD library by 450-percent and 3,000 of Comcast’s now 25,000 on-demand title library are available in high-definition.

Comcast has stated that all these new additions will be rolled out in rest of the markets in coming months. Comcast new VOD line up includes:

Crazy Heart
Leap Year
Nine
Precious and Twilight: New Moon
The Blind Side
The Hangover
The Hurt Locker
Casablanca
The Exorcist
The Godfather and
The Blues Brothers

Derek Harrar, Senior VP/GM Video and Entertainment Services for Comcast, said “It’s the biggest thing we’ve ever done in On Demand. We’re revolutionizing our service with a system that is capable of delivering infinite choice.”

Comcast Launches 46 HD Channels in Baltimore County

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:24:49 +0000

Comcast announced that it has launched 46 new high-definition channels to its Baltimore County HD subscribers. Comcast has already added 46 HD Channels to San Francisco Bay Area subscribers in October. Comcast is now offering more than 90 HD channels to Baltimore County. Comcast’s HD pack now includes:

ABC HD

Bravo HD

CBS HD

CMT HD

Comcast SportsNet HD

Dicovery Channel HD

Discovery HD Theater

ESPN HD

ESPN2 HD

FOX HD

Hallmark Movie Channel HD

HSN HD

iN HD1

iN HD2

MGM HD

MPT HD

NBC HD

NFL HD

Nickelodeon HD

The Weather Channel HD

TNT HD

Universal HD

WBAL HD

WJZ HD

WMAR HD

WNUV HD and

WTTG HD

Comcast has doubled its HD offering through “World of More” digital service upgrades.

Comcast Launches STAR’s Four South Asian Channels in Chicago

admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:01:24 +0000

Comcast has launched four STAR’s South Asian channels to its International Programming subscribers in Chicago area on Sept. 24. Following Hindi entertainment channels are available to Comcast subscribers in areas like the city of Chicago and Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs, including Algonquin, Glenview, Lake Zurich, and Schaumburg.

Star Gold

Star News

Star One and

Star Plus

Natalie Rouse, the director of national ethnic marketing for Comcast, said: “STAR India Networks are part of Comcast’s on-going commitment to our customers to bring value by connecting them to the people, places and programming that are important in their lives. By expanding our already diverse programming, the South Asian community will have many favorite programs available 24 hours a day, only on Comcast.”

“We are pleased to broaden our offering of top rated South Asian content for Comcast’s Chicago area subscribers. The launch of these four channels reflects a number of firsts in the industry and represents the fact that STAR now has the most South Asian channels of any one broadcaster on a cable platform. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with operators across North America and stand firm in our commitment to connect Asian viewers with relevant, compelling and top rated content” stated David Wisnia, STAR’s Senior Vice President of Distribution, Sales and Marketing and Head of STAR’s North American and European offices.

Comcast’s ‘thePlatform’ Adds More Than 20 Partners For Online Video

admin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:32:04 +0000

Comcast owned Seattle based online video publishing company, ‘thePlatform’ has announced that more than 20 new companies have recently joined the company’s extensive partner program thePlatform Framework. ThePlatform’s open media publishing system (mps) now has an even broader menu of pre-integrated service and technology choices to serve the professional online video market.

More than 80 companies now participate in thePlatform Framework, which spans the entire ecosystem of online video, including:

Advertising campaign management systems

Ad sales networks

Analytics and reporting

Content delivery networks

Content protection

Media formats

Transcending engines

Payment processors

Syndication outlets

Video search

Marty Roberts, vice president of marketing for thePlatform, said: “In an increasingly robust online video environment, media companies want the flexibility to integrate and test new technologies that best suit their business needs without worrying about compatibility issues. Our role is to make online video publishing a seamless process for our customers and allow them to easily publish their content regardless of the technical requirements. thePlatform’s Framework is key to that strategy, and it enables our customers to work with a wide variety of best-in-class companies in the online video space.”

Comcast To Launch ‘The Wiggles’ Content On Demand

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:20:28 +0000

Comcast has announced the launch of The Wiggles contents On Demand on Aug. 11. The Wiggles launch will bring its video subscribers favorite episodes selected by The Wiggles themselves. Comcast On Demand content will add Wiggles to hundreds of kids’ entertainment choices that includes. The Wiggles behind-the-scenes clips and movies including:

Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Memory Book and

Go Bananas!

The Wiggles on Comcast On Demand is to boost the collection of children’s entertainment. Comcast On Demand delivers collection of children’s entertainment featuring the most popular shows and movies available anytime. Children can watch their favorite shows from Sprout, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Disney XD, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Noggin and Discovery Kids, featuring hit series such as, Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Hannah Montana and Scooby Doo.

Diana Kerekes, Vice President of Video Content for Comcast said “My children have grown up watching The Wiggles and I’m delighted that now other families can share The Wiggles fun and entertainment together anytime with On Demand. Our kids programming is one of our most viewed offerings On Demand and we are excited to continue to grow this category for parents and kids.”

Comcast Launches ‘High-Speed 2go’ Wireless Data Service in Atlanta

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 04:51:01 +0000

Comcast has launched its high-speed 2go wireless data service in Atlanta on July 28. ‘Comcast High-Speed 2go’ is 4G wireless high-speed data service that provides the fastest available wireless Internet in the nation via wireless data cards. Comcast will be launching this nationwide soon and will bundle with one or more of its popular Internet, phone and television products.

Comcast High-Speed 2go comprises of two different data cards and service plans:.

Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro – This service uses a 4G-only data card giving customers the fastest wireless service within the 4G metro coverage area. The Metro device operates only in a 4G service footprint..

Comcast High-Speed 2go nationwide service – This plan delivers the fastest metro 4G service plus coast-to-coast access on Sprint’s national 3G network. The Nationwide device switches between available 4G and 3G networks..

Larry Schweber, Vice President of Marketing for Comcast’s Atlanta region said “Atlanta is known for being one of the most progressive cities in the Southeast and having the first and only 4G service bundled with the nation’s fastest fast Internet speeds is evidence to that fact. Comcast continues to drive innovation in the market whether it’s with video, voice, the Internet or now wireless – all for the ultimate benefit of customers in Atlanta.”

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Struck Deal With Universal Sports And Comcast’s Regional Sports Networks

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:45:28 +0000

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball has entered an agreement with Universal Sports and Comcast regional sports network to broadcast men’s and women’s beach volleyball matches for the 2009 season. Universal Sports will broadcast the semi-finals live for events in Coney Island, Hermosa Beach and the Cup Championship in Chicago as a pre-cursor to the finals airing on NBC Sports.

The sports website, UniversalSports.com will also bring live stream of each semi-final event on its website and offer re-airs of the finals after they are shown on NBC Sports.

Jason Hodell, CEO, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball said “Universal Sports and Comcast’s regional sports networks extend our reach to the American public and our fans, we’re very pleased to be partnering with them to ensure viewers catch as much tour action as possible.”

Comcast To Add Two New HD Channels in Denver

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:30:58 +0000

Comcast has announced that it will deliver two new high-definition channels in Denver and make few changes to its programming line-up. Following two HD channels will be added to Comcast Denver Digital Classic package subscribers:

ION HD – Channel 659 and

FX HD – Channel 691

FX HD will be included on May 31 and ION HD on June 9, 2009.

Comcast will move Spike TV from Channel 44 to Channel 70, Oxygen from Channel 70 to channels 44 and 171 and TruTV from Channel 71 to channels 71 and 163. Mun2 on channel 603 will also be available on channel 479.