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Marcus Carr

11-03-09, 10:10 AM

Comcast must make the right calls on sports in any NBC deal

Published November 02, 2009 : Page 13

It’s looking more likely that Comcast will be successful in its attempt to take control of NBC, judging by a series of meetings the two sides have had over the past few weeks.

Toward the end of October, the top executives from NBC and Comcast — including NBC’s Jeff Zucker and Dick Ebersol and Comcast’s Steve Burke and Jeff Shell — gathered for two days of secret meetings in New York, sources told me.

Each cable channel owned by the two entities, from SyFy to Golf Channel, gave a presentation to the assembled executives, highlighting budgets, programming rights and broadband strategies.

The executives didn’t come to any sweeping conclusions. But the mere fact that these top executives spent two days on them illustrates how much both sides want the deal to be completed.

There are three things Comcast needs to do to ensure that the deal, which its executives internally refer to as “Project Crimson,” is a success from a sports media standpoint.

Comcast needs to retain Ebersol.

It’s a no-brainer that Comcast wants to keep Ebersol. But it might not be easy. Ebersol has a lot of autonomy overseeing NBC Sports right now. Comcast has to make sure that doesn’t change for the longtime television executive.

Comcast needs Ebersol for all sorts of reasons, but in large part because of his Rolodex. Ebersol has deep relationships with the Olympics and the U.S. sports leagues, which is essential if Comcast is serious about growing Versus.

Ebersol also would improve the production quality of Comcast’s sports networks. In April 2008, Comcast hired former NBC Sports producer Michael Weisman as a consultant to improve the on-screen look of its sports networks: Versus, Golf Channel, the Mtn. and its suite of Comcast SportsNets. Weisman is no longer with Comcast, but the need to improve program quality remains.

That’s where Ebersol comes in. He can tell stories through captivating images. His game production, particularly with the Olympics, is second to none. If Ebersol stays on board to oversee sports content, it will give much more credibility to Comcast’s sports networks.

Comcast needs to see which sports it can share with NBC.

The combination of a broadcast network paired with cable sports channels presents the best opportunity for Comcast to develop a credible alternative to ESPN.

The key to making that happen is to share sports programming between NBC and Versus/Golf Channel. While some NBC sports programming, like “Sunday Night Football,” will stay exclusive to the network, other programming could be shared with Versus or Golf Channel.

The Olympics are an obvious choice, since NBC already spreads Olympic programming across its cable networks.

But Comcast also has its sights set on Notre Dame football. Sources said NBC’s deal with the Fighting Irish has a clause that allows a certain number of games to migrate to cable. Versus would be a natural place to house those games.

Versus also could have the right to re-air NBC’s Notre Dame games. And it could roll out pre- and postgame shows around them. In June 2008, NBC signed a five-year extension for Notre Dame’s home football games, a deal that extends through the 2015 season.

Comcast should consolidate its RSNs with NBC O&Os.

NBC owns broadcast affiliates in four markets where Comcast operates regional sports networks: Chicago, Philadelphia, San Jose and Washington.

If the deal goes through, I expect Comcast to merge those stations in each of those markets, allowing them to share studio space and on-air talent. There are obvious cost savings; Comcast doesn’t need two production studios in these markets. But Comcast’s RSNs would benefit from having high-profile local sports talent appear on their channel.

Whether the Comcast/NBC deal will pass regulatory muster in Washington is a question for another column. Governmental agencies, like the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission, are certain to scrutinize the deal closely, a process that could take as long as a year.

But right now, I’m guessing that the two will finalize a deal within the next few months.

http://sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63955

Ken H

11-03-09, 12:41 PM

It’s looking more likely that Comcast will be successful in its attempt to take control of NBC, judging by a series of meetings the two sides have had over the past few weeks....

.....But right now, I’m guessing that the two will finalize a deal within the next few months.

http://sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63955Hmmmm.

hdguru

11-03-09, 12:54 PM

"It’s looking more likely that Comcast will be successful in its attempt to take control of NBC, judging by a series of meetings the two sides have had over the past few weeks."

Friends (and Ken H): Let's see...who's a more dangerous owner: GE or Comcast? Talk about no good choices!

keenan

11-03-09, 01:02 PM

Comcast must make the right calls on sports in any NBC deal

Comcast should consolidate its RSNs with NBC O&Os.

NBC owns broadcast affiliates in four markets where Comcast operates regional sports networks: Chicago, Philadelphia, San Jose and Washington.

If the deal goes through, I expect Comcast to merge those stations in each of those markets, allowing them to share studio space and on-air talent. There are obvious cost savings; Comcast doesn’t need two production studios in these markets. But Comcast’s RSNs would benefit from having high-profile local sports talent appear on their channel.

http://sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63955
I think it makes more sense to sell off the broadcast stations rather than merge the facilities with their RSNs. In the SF market Comcast would own/control 2 RSNs and a local OTA station(KNTV-NBC), I'm not sure that owning 3 stations in one market is even allowed, although 2 being cable maybe so.

Hardcore Legend

11-03-09, 06:21 PM

Ken H

11-03-09, 06:46 PM

Comcast already shows the ND football games and rebroadcasts them on UHD. Wouldn't UHD be the more logical place to keep the games since they use the crisp and clean NBC Graphics and Versus looks like something a bunch of guys cooked up in their basement?

I'm guessing UHD will meld into something different. Other than the Olympics, they have no original content, and movies are cut for content and commercials.

Ken H

11-03-09, 06:49 PM

Friends (and Ken H): Let's see...who's a more dangerous owner: GE or Comcast? Talk about no good choices!

I don't think either one is dangerous. I think it's probably better to have competitors to Disney/ESPN/ABC, and not just Comcast/Versus/NBC.

Phantom Gremlin

11-03-09, 07:10 PM

I think it makes more sense to sell off the broadcast stations rather than merge the facilities with their RSNs.

I don't think it's smart to get rid of broadcast stations; they allow for creative financing to keep more money in the "family". E.g. wasn't there an issue a while back where Fox was syndicating old episodes of The Simpsons to their O&O stations and affiliates at less than fair market value?

Hardcore Legend

11-03-09, 09:30 PM

I'm guessing UHD will meld into something different. Other than the Olympics, they have no original content, and movies are cut for content and commercials.

NBC uses it to rebroadcast all of their non-NFL sports programming. There are rebroadcast of all the PGA Tour events as well as their extreme sports stuff.

I'm sure Comcast will want to use the ND games on Versus to further leverage the channel against other carriers. It'll be a shame to lose the option of rewatching full PGA broadcast later in the week in full HD.

BSTNFAN

11-04-09, 10:07 AM

NBC uses it to rebroadcast all of their non-NFL sports programming. There are rebroadcast of all the PGA Tour events as well as their extreme sports stuff.

I'm sure Comcast will want to use the ND games on Versus to further leverage the channel against other carriers. It'll be a shame to lose the option of rewatching full PGA broadcast later in the week in full HD.

For me, UHD has outlived its usefulness, now that most channels have thier own HD version up and running. I don't see why the sports rebroadcasts couldn't move to Versus, or the Golf Channel in the case of the PGA events.

Ken H

11-04-09, 04:47 PM

Comcast posts 22% spike in Q3 earnings, launches 4G in Philly

By Mike Robuck

CedMagazine.com - November 04, 2009

Comcast posted a 22 percent increase in its third-quarter earnings, thanks in part to aggressive pricing on its bundled packages for voice and data.

Comcast earned $944 million in the third quarter, or 33 cents per share, compared with $771 million, or 26 cents per share, in the third quarter a year ago. Analysts were expecting earnings of 25 cents per share.

During a second-quarter earnings call in August, Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said there would be a renewed focus on promotional efforts, particularly for high-speed data. Those efforts appeared to pay off as Comcast added 361,000 data subscribers and 375,000 new digital phone customers in the third quarter.

With the new data additions, Comcast now has a total of 15.7 million broadband subscribers to take over the top spot in the nation from AT&T, which has 15.6 million subscribers.

While the news was good for data and phone services, Comcast did lose 132,000 basic video subscribers in the third quarter.

With its aggressive bundle promotions, Comcast added 1.1 million lines of service in the third quarter, which was just below the total from the same time frame a year ago.

“The strength and resilience of our businesses combined with our continued emphasis on expenses and prudent capital management helped us achieve healthy operating and financial results in the third quarter,” Roberts said. “We continued to execute well, maintaining our focus on balancing revenue, cash flow and customer growth, while at the same time investing in attractive businesses like Comcast Business Services. We also made real progress on initiatives like wideband and all-digital that strengthen our competitive position now and in the future.”

Comcast’s revenue was up 3 percent to $8.8 billion, which was slightly off some analysts’ projections of $8.85 billion. Excluding special items, such as financing expenses and income tax benefits, Comcast’s profit was 28 cents per share.

Comcast’s free cash flow increased almost 20 percent to $1.11 billion.

Comcast is reportedly still pursuing a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal. According to Reuters, Comcast is looking at pouring $4 billion to $6 billion in cash and its cable networks into a joint venture with NBC Universal parent company General Electric.

According to published reports, Comcast could be close to announcing a deal with NBC Universal.

Comcast also announced today that its 4G wireless service was now available in Philadelphia.

"As Comcast's hometown, Philadelphia is one of the most technologically progressive cities on the East Coast. Having the first and only 4G service bundled with some of the nation's fastest Internet speeds is evidence to that fact," said Eric Schaefer, senior vice president of marketing for Comcast's Freedom region.

Comcast offers the service, which it calls High-Speed 2go, via its investment in Clearwire. The service is available to customers through wireless data cards.

Comcast is selling two different data cards and service plans:

* Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro service uses a 4G-only data card, giving customers wireless service within the 4G metro coverage area, according to Comcast. The Metro device operates only in a 4G service footprint.
* Comcast High-Speed 2go Nationwide service delivers the metro 4G service plus coast-to-coast access on Sprint's national 3G network. The Nationwide device switches between available 4G and 3G networks.
* Comcast said its subscribers will have bundled access to both the fastest wired and wireless Internet in the nation, which will be sold together at launch as a "Fast Pack" for as low as $49.99 per month for one year. Both new and existing Comcast customers will be eligible for special bundled pricing, with triple-play customers receiving 4G wireless as an add-on for as low as $30 per month.
* The $49.99 Fast Pack Metro service includes Comcast's 12 Mbps home Internet service, a free Wi-Fi router for mobility and extended coverage in the home, and 4G service that will provide 3 to 6 Mbps average download speeds when customers are on the go. For another $20 per month, customers can upgrade to the Fast Pack Nationwide service that includes the same services, plus nationwide 3G mobile network access.

Comcast’s 4G service is also available in Atlanta and Portland, Ore., and the nation’s largest cable operator said Chicago and other markets will launch the service before the end of the year.

Ken H

11-04-09, 04:49 PM

Comcast snags 10 major VOD movies same day as DVD releases

By Mike Robuck

CedMagazine.com - November 04, 2009

Comcast said it will be serving up its largest collection of Hollywood movies that are available the same days as their DVD release dates to its on-demand customers.

Comcast said 10 major Hollywood movies, all in HD, will be available in customers’ homes the moment they’re available on DVD.

Through partnerships with major studios, including Warner Bros./New Line, Fox, Universal, Summit, Lionsgate, Sony, Paramount and MGM, Comcast said it was offering more day-and-date movies to its customers than ever.

All told, more than 80 percent of the company’s top 10 releases viewed this year in on-demand were available the same day as their DVD releases.

“Everything about the day-and-date model is working,” said Derek Harrar, senior vice president and general manager of video and entertainment services for Comcast. “The studios are coming to us more and more with great films, and our customers are enjoying the opportunity to watch newly released films as quickly as possible.”

Comcast’s same day as DVD releases this month include “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” “The Taking of Pelham 123,” “Aliens in the Attic” and “The Ugly Truth.”

Hardcore Legend

11-04-09, 04:51 PM

For me, UHD has outlived its usefulness, now that most channels have thier own HD version up and running. I don't see why the sports rebroadcasts couldn't move to Versus, or the Golf Channel in the case of the PGA events.

They probably could. The only nice thing about the UHD rebroadcasts is that they were completely unedited rebroadcasts. The only change was the UniversalHD burn. No extra scrolling scores at the bottom, no promotion for the rebroadcasting networks primetime lineup, it was 1:1 copies.

sansri88

11-05-09, 02:50 PM

Just a little update: Comcast of Union now has about 80 HD channels. :)

Daniel Murray

11-05-09, 05:02 PM

Just a little update: Comcast of Union now has about 80 HD channels. :)

:eek:We are so fare behind you with Garden state system.:eek: :( We have is only 40 and that is with the paid channels:(

Marcus Carr

11-05-09, 07:05 PM

Has anybody else noticed that NBC On Demand is now free and isn't the old $1 an episode - Heroes and Trauma are up for free!

Heroes, The Office, and Community are available for free here.

But more importantly, Yule Log 2009 is here! (With 5.1 sound!):D

D_B_0673

11-06-09, 04:45 AM

Heroes, The Office, and Community are available for free here.

But more importantly, Yule Log 2009 is here! (With 5.1 sound!):D

where do you find Yule Log 2009

homcom

11-06-09, 05:47 AM

where do you find Yule Log 2009

Available here in Michigan under: HD>TV Entertainment>Yule Log & More

Ken H

11-06-09, 03:01 PM

Yule Log 2009 is here! (With 5.1 sound!):D

Break out the eggnog!!!!!

D_B_0673

11-07-09, 09:42 AM

Available here in Michigan under: HD>TV Entertainment>Yule Log & More

is it VOD

homcom

11-07-09, 11:59 AM

is it VOD

Yes.

aindik

11-09-09, 12:15 PM

The last few years, it is available to Verizon FIOs, as well. I don't think Fiber Optics is technically 'cable'; regardless, Verizon is a direct competitor to Comcast, but they had to make it available to Verizon, because Verizon linked a fiber connection to the sports complexes.

Well, my post says "if you live in Philly" (as opposed to near Philly). Since FIOS is not available in Philly, my post is still technically right. ;)

So, is CSN-HD available on FIOS, or just the SD?

QZ1

11-09-09, 12:36 PM

Well, my post says "if you live in Philly" (as opposed to near Philly). Since FIOS is not available in Philly, my post is still technically right. ;)

So, is CSN-HD available on FIOS, or just the SD?
CSN-HD available from the start of FIOS.:cool:

Unfortunately, though, FIOS is not available everywhere in the suburbs, yet. :(

bob2274

11-09-09, 08:58 PM

...and FiOS does not carry the Comcast Network, which is the only place to get some Philadelphia games when there is a conflict on CSN.

QZ1

11-09-09, 11:37 PM

Very few early season games only, though, IIRC.

aindik

11-10-09, 11:44 AM

...and FiOS does not carry the Comcast Network, which is the only place to get some Philadelphia games when there is a conflict on CSN.

I wonder if that's because Comcast won't offer it or because Verizon won't pay for it.

bob2274

11-10-09, 11:58 AM

ray_p

11-10-09, 12:05 PM

ak3883

11-10-09, 12:26 PM

Does anybody know if dropping the sports package after the NFL season is over (because all I really care about is the NFL Redzone channel) will incur change of service/downgrade fees? Or is that fee only if you downgrade from one digital tier to the next?

I don't want to have to pay $5 a month during the spring and summer months when there is no football, but I also don't think it is right if Comcast charges a fee to drop the sports package in the off season.

Whenever I have done something like this, I am charged a $1.99 "change of service fee" I understand the reason this is there is to discourage people from getting the sports tier, say for one weekend or something. I'll get the sports tier for the few extra college hoops games during the season, then cancel it come April once the season is over.

ray_p

11-10-09, 01:25 PM

Whenever I have done something like this, I am charged a $1.99 "change of service fee" I understand the reason this is there is to discourage people from getting the sports tier, say for one weekend or something. I'll get the sports tier for the few extra college hoops games during the season, then cancel it come April once the season is over.

Okay, that is not so bad. I was thinking the fee was like $20+ dollars or something. I must be thinking that's the price if it involves a truck trip.

QZ1

11-10-09, 02:43 PM

Whenever I have done something like this, I am charged a $1.99 "change of service fee" I understand the reason this is there is to discourage people from getting the sports tier, say for one weekend or something. I'll get the sports tier for the few extra college hoops games during the season, then cancel it come April once the season is over.
No, they charge this fee for every electronic service change. I think it is reasonable for taking their time to process the change. As a consequence, it might discourage some people from changing any service, though.

QZ1

11-10-09, 02:48 PM

Okay, that is not so bad. I was thinking the fee was like $20+ dollars or something. I must be thinking that's the price if it involves a truck trip.
Indeed.

QZ1

11-10-09, 03:29 PM

Comcast claims (on the TCN website) that the Comcast Network is available to all cable and sat providers, which makes me wonder why Verizon doesn't have it. Carrying TCN and CSN in Philadelphia would really make Verizon a strong competitor with all of the sports that are currently only available on Comcast there.

How many games are missed by Verizon, by not having TCN?
(BTW, only TCN-SD is watchable to me, but it's better than nothing. TCN-HD, is unwatchable for sports to me, due to the poor bitrate, but that is another matter.)

Seriously, maybe, I am mistaken, but I thought it was just a few early Phillies games near the end of Sixers and Flyers reg. season and playoffs, (the latter, if applicable). Plus, a few early Flyers games, near the end of Phillies reg. season.

Between CSN-HD and some on OTA HD channels, the % of games missed is miniscule, AFAIK. If I am mistaken, please provide the statistics, seriously.:)

Oh, and I read on AVS a while ago, that Verizon didn't think TCN-HD/SD was a good deal for them, don't know if that was or is true, though. Factors like price, bandwith, signal quality, obviously are factors.

homcom

11-10-09, 04:45 PM

No, they charge this fee for every electronic service change. I think it is reasonable for taking their time to process the change. As a consequence, it might discourage some people from changing any service, though.

I have found when I make changes they will waive the fee if you ask, I guess it would depend on who you talk to thou.

bob2274

11-10-09, 07:54 PM

Oh, and I read on AVS a while ago, that Verizon didn't think TCN-HD/SD was a good deal for them, don't know if that was or is true, though. Factors like price, bandwith, signal quality, obviously are factors.

I was thinking that even if they say TCN "is available to all providers", that there are probably impossible terms to carry it, like a provider having to make an unconditional public declaration that Comcast is king in Philadelphia. Your factors seem much more realistic though, especially if the price is steep. I also would suspect that Comcast won't let anyone else have the HD version.

aindik

11-10-09, 08:18 PM

Phantom Gremlin

11-11-09, 12:01 AM

If it's "available to ... sat providers," I wonder why DirecTV doesn't snap it up. At the very least, they'll get to run the Flyers, 76ers and Phillies replays that are on TCN throughout the overnight hours.

Maybe because people in Oregon aren't interested in losers like the Phillies? I want the Yankees! :)

QZ1

11-11-09, 01:26 PM

If it's "available to ... sat providers," I wonder why DirecTV doesn't snap it up. At the very least, they'll get to run the Flyers, 76ers and Phillies replays that are on TCN throughout the overnight hours.
Probably only TCN in SD is available to satellite, I would guess. Although, the TCN-HD is worthless, anyway.

QZ1

11-11-09, 01:32 PM

I was thinking that even if they say TCN "is available to all providers", that there are probably impossible terms to carry it, like a provider having to make an unconditional public declaration that Comcast is king in Philadelphia. Your factors seem much more realistic though, especially if the price is steep. I also would suspect that Comcast won't let anyone else have the HD version.

Apparently, they had to give Verizon does CSN in SD and HD (?) However, for satellite, they don't have to give them anything, so you are probably right about TCN being available just in SD.

slowbiscuit

11-11-09, 01:50 PM

Maybe because people in Oregon aren't interested in losers like the Phillies? I want the Yankees! :)
They weren't losers last year, and they don't buy championships like the Yankees.

Daniel Murray

11-11-09, 02:44 PM

They weren't losers last year, and they don't buy championships like the Yankees.

Well said:D

MolsonCanadian

11-11-09, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the backup.

However, it got me thinking so I broke down and called Comcast. They said I should be getting NHL Network and tried multiple methods of sending the signal to my DVR box. All failed. They opened a ticket for this issue.

Update. Today Comcast started removing Analog channels as scheduled and the NHL Network now is back. So basically this was a local issue that wasn't fixed until the next system change. I'd be upset if I watched more than 15 minutes a week on this channel.

Hardcore Legend

11-12-09, 02:24 AM

They weren't losers last year, and they don't buy championships like the Yankees.

Check their payroll and their obligated payroll for the next few years. Top 4 in baseball.

QZ1

11-12-09, 05:22 PM

'Next few years' is not a definite time frame, so one can't say 'Top 4' or anything, for that matter.

All that is relevant to this year, is what were the payrolls in '09. There were the NY Yankees, and then everyone else.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/salaries

NYY spent 48% more than the #2 team, NYM.

NYY spent 78% more than the Philllies, who were #7.

Like an article quoted earlier in the WS thread said, $ doesn't buy championships, it does everything but do so. IOW, it can be a tremendous advantage.

Also, indeed, it isn't the Yankees fault, it is MLB's fault. But, don't try to minimize the advantage, the $ figures don't lie.;)

homcom

11-12-09, 06:34 PM

Could we cut the baseball talk and return to talk about Comcast.

Phantom Gremlin

11-12-09, 10:36 PM

Could we cut the baseball talk and return to talk about Comcast.

Well, I watched the World Series in HD on Comcast cable; quality was excellent! :)

Also, with the Yankees in it, I bet the ratings were higher this year than in recent years.

Hardcore Legend

11-12-09, 11:30 PM

After picking up the option of Cliff Lee, the Phillies have the 3rd highest committed payroll for 2010 currently and 4th for 2011.

They finished the season with the 5th highest payroll in 2009, not 7th.

Much like Comcast just finished my DVR update for the new guides. :D

ak3883

11-13-09, 12:54 PM

How many games are missed by Verizon, by not having TCN?

TCN does carry CAA football games all fall along with some other conferences. Carrying CAA games sense since the footprint of TCN is the same as the conference: mid-atlantic region. I've seen a few SEC games on there this year among some others. I suspect once college hoops season rolls around they will show some out of market syndicated games produced by other Comcast entities, like CSS or games on the "SEC network" which is just ESPN+ producing every SEC conference game not on one of the other channels(CBS,ESPN,ESPN2,ESPNU). Since SEC network uses it's own "graphics" and they don't have the ESPN logo(however it is the ESPN style onscreen graphics), Comcast won't object to showing it. Who knows, you might even see Big East games since they have a similar "Big East Network" syndication package. Years ago, CSN refused to show ESPN+ produced games because they did not want the ESPN logo on their sports network channels. I'm not kidding. That is why you NEVER saw Villanova games on CSN, but on a local channel like our WB/MNT affiliate.

So you do miss some college football and bball games by not having TCN:) But that's hardly enough to keep anyone from switching, it's not like it's CSN.

pjp

11-14-09, 11:00 AM

Does anybody know how to get Comcast Closed Caption to work on HD box connected through HDMI?

CC was working when it was connected through component to a Comcast Motorola box. When they upgraded the box to HD connected via HDMI, CC no longer works.

This is the current setup:

TV: Sony XBR8 - connected via HDMI both "digital" and "normal" CC are enabled

Cable Box: Pace RNG 110: Subtitles are turned on (used power-off and then info button to turn on per instructions)

bicker1

11-14-09, 11:18 AM

Does anybody know how to get Comcast Closed Caption to work on HD box connected through HDMI?You would enable Closed Caption decoding in the HD box itself.

Cable Box: Pace RNG 110: Subtitles are turned on (used power-off and then info button to turn on per instructions)Sounds like the cable box is bad. It could be a very insidious problem -- i.e., it might require a different box because either Pace hasn't provided adequate circuitry or firmware for their box to properly support digital and analog closed captions, and/or the supplier hasn't upgraded to the version of the firmware that provides such support.

It could also be something else: Do you have this problem on all channels? Specifically, do you have this problem on all HD channels? If not -- if the problem is only on SD channels and/or perhaps a few HD channels, then it is possible that the box only decodes digital closed captions (and those few HD channels, if any, are simply not providing digital closed captions). What you have to do in that case is establish a second connection between your cable box and the television, specifically for use when you need to use the analog closed captions. I would recommend making the second connection a S-video connection, but that Pace box doesn't support S-video, so use composite video (yellow RCA plug) instead.

deuce1973

11-14-09, 12:51 PM

Anyone here have NBA League Pass on Comcast? I have it here in Savannah, GA. I have gotten in the last couple of years. But this year I am getting a problem I haven't had before. The "audio" of the broadcast keeps going in and out. This only happens with NBA LP. Is this a comcast delivery thing with inDemand? Or is in a LP issue? Anyone have any ideas?

BTW, Comcast Savannah just added Lifetime Movie Network HD on 465. Woopee.

pjp

11-14-09, 02:31 PM

It could also be something else: Do you have this problem on all channels? Specifically, do you have this problem on all HD channels? If not -- if the problem is only on SD channels and/or perhaps a few HD channels, then it is possible that the box only decodes digital closed captions (and those few HD channels, if any, are simply not providing digital closed captions). What you have to do in that case is establish a second connection between your cable box and the television, specifically for use when you need to use the analog closed captions. I would recommend making the second connection a S-video connection, but that Pace box doesn't support S-video, so use composite video (yellow RCA plug) instead.

Thanks for the feedback. There is no CC on any channel, HD or SD. We use CC every night for late night viewing, so it's a significant impediment. Do you think it's possible to have both HD for video and use a composite connection just for the TV to pick up closed captions, or would that mean the video would be composite?

bicker1

11-14-09, 02:55 PM

Do you think it's possible to have both HD for video and use a composite connection just for the TV to pick up closed captions, or would that mean the video would be composite?The latter.

So it sounds like yet-another significant concern about Pace equipment. Not surprising: They do make some really low-budget stuff, and indeed that is their intention. However, their economy should not adversely affect a protected class.

pjp

11-14-09, 09:49 PM

The latter.

So it sounds like yet-another significant concern about Pace equipment. Not surprising: They do make some really low-budget stuff, and indeed that is their intention. However, their economy should not adversely affect a protected class.

I can't live with composite on a high-end XBR8 TV.

I really hate the Pace box. It's the cheapest built piece of equipment I've ever seen and it's ridiculous that it doesn't even have channel display. I wonder if that is the only choice or if you can demand something else. The installer said it was the best they offered when he put it in. I need to fix the CC issue, so maybe I'll give them a call to see if another option is available.

bicker1

11-15-09, 05:11 AM

kingranch51

11-15-09, 02:03 PM

Does anyone get cbs college sports broadcast in HD?

homcom

11-15-09, 02:07 PM

Does anyone get cbs college sports broadcast in HD?

Yes, many cities in Michigan have CBS College Sports HD.

Marcus Carr

11-15-09, 03:08 PM

Does anyone get cbs college sports broadcast in HD?

Yes.

iontyre

11-16-09, 12:34 PM

Does anyone get cbs college sports broadcast in HD?

Harford County MD gets it.

havealark

11-16-09, 01:38 PM

Does anybody know how to get Comcast Closed Caption to work on HD box connected through HDMI?

On the remote control, make sure cable button is illuminated then push the power button, immediately press the menu button. This will open a secondary menu. Use the arrrow keys to turn on CC. CC will now be activate. It even works on top of the guide. But it's better than no CC.

john

blitzen102

11-16-09, 03:41 PM

Notice in our newspapers here today:

Comcast is adding a new video package called "Digital Economy".

The package contains all of the basic channels plus:
A&E, AMC (St. Paul), BET, Cartoon Network, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, E!, Food Network, Fox News, Hallmark channel, History, Lifetime, Music Choice channels, spike TV, truTV, TV Land, USA, Weather channel.

$39.95 by itself -- $29.95 with internet or phone.

Digital Equipment required.

Makes me think the Cavalry might be riding in soon.

bicker1

11-16-09, 05:41 PM

I have that service level. A few things I learned from personal experience. First, when I switched to Digital Economy, I saved a lot of money. Two thumbs up. Second, I lost eligibility for DTAs. Third, they come by and install a filter to block analog expanded basic service (whatever is left of it). So basically, I get those Digital Economy channels on my one (primary) outlet, and all I get on the rest of my outlets are over-the-air broadcast channels. I checked... everything else is filtered out.

georule

11-16-09, 05:50 PM

Hah, get people onto that first, then you don't have to give them two dtas for free. No wonder they can afford a nice deal on that.

keenan

11-16-09, 06:11 PM

Obviously there's different prices/packages in different areas, but that Digital Economy package above seems like a terrible bargain here. In the SF bay area you can get Digital Starter at $29.99 with a one year contract. Digital Starter includes just about everything but the Preferred, Sports and Premium channels. Yes, it's a one contract, but how often do people really change their TV provider, and at that price it's only $10-$15 more than Limited Basic.

bicker1

11-16-09, 06:26 PM

Here, that $30 option for Digital Starter is not available, and nothing like that is available for existing customers. Remember, service providers give you fantastic deal to attract you. There shouldn't be any confusion about their objective being to get you to switch, and after your promotional rate expires, you're expected to pay full price, i.e., about $60 per month for Digital Starter; either that, or upgrade to a yet-even-higher level of service. (Eventually, you run out of levels to upgrade to, or levels you care to upgrade to, and so you run out of promotions to take advantage of.) Given that, a $30 price for Digital Economy is an excellent deal. Indeed, it was the best deal available to me in September; I took it, haven't regretted it, and think that your categorical appraisal of the package is off-target.

keenan

11-16-09, 06:55 PM

The $29.99 Digital Starter is available to existing customers here, I was an existing customer with just Limited Basic, and in fact you can lock in the second year at $39.99, still less expensive than the $60.00 it normally runs. HBO, a $18 per month value, comes with that promo, for free - for either one year or two years depending on how long you contracted for. We also have a promo/deal to get Preferred for $9.95 for a year and $1 per month more gets you Showtime also for that year.

Also offered is a promo where you can get 16/2 HSI-Blast for $29.99 for a year, which normally runs about $53 w/video. I'm paying less now than I was with Limited Basic and 16/2 HSI and getting a whole bundle of channels more.

I was paying $73(taxes/fees included) per month for just Limited Basic and 16/2 HSI, now I'm paying about the same for just about everything Comcast offers minus the Sports and a few of the premiums which I could care less about anyway. I'm getting such great value from Comcast, currently, that I put my DirecTV account into 6 mos suspension. I'll probably reactivate, maybe, in time for MLBEI to start up in April as Comcast is pathetically weak in that area.

Yes, it is certainly true that eventually you will upgrade/promo yourself right out of any more deals and be paying the full price. All you have to do then is drop a portion of the service, wait about 60 days and then see what deals/promos they have going then.

The bottom line is, it varies by area, and I honestly can't see how that Digital Economy would even sell here. But who knows, the $29.99 Digital Starter deal won't last forever and maybe they will introduce Economy in this market in the future and maybe it will be a good deal then.

P.S. I did qualify in my original post by saying "here" meaning the SF bay area, I did not say it was a terrible deal for everyone/everywhere.

Satcom15

11-16-09, 07:56 PM

bicker1

11-17-09, 03:50 AM

The $29.99 Digital Starter is available to existing customers here, I was an existing customer with just Limited BasicIn other words, the promotion is available as an upgrade ... as you noted...Yes, it is certainly true that eventually you will upgrade/promo yourself right out of any more deals and be paying the full price. That was the main point of the message I posted.

All you have to do then is drop a portion of the service, wait about 60 days and then see what deals/promos they have going then.That 60 days is changing too: One of the most insidious aspects of the Internet is that as we share tactics and exploits online, those things become visible to the service providers we do business with, and they adjust as needed to help increase the chances that the promotions they offer actually serve their objectives well, rather than have the opposite effect.

The bottom line is, it varies by area, and I honestly can't see how that Digital Economy would even sell here. But who knows, the $29.99 Digital Starter deal won't last forever and maybe they will introduce Economy in this market in the future and maybe it will be a good deal then.It has happened here. Like I said, I pattered around looking for a better deal since early September and found nothing. I've read loads of messages from folks who are also not getting any traction finding that mythical $30 (full expanded basic, digital) cable deal.

We knew this was going to happen, that eventually service providers realized that all we're doing is jerking them around. ;)

bicker1

11-17-09, 03:53 AM

Wouldn't it be nice if we could have ala carte service?Not at all. Even with the Digital Economy service I have now, I'd be paying more for those same channels via a la carte. In reality, with a la carte, I'd probably drop down to three cable channels. Based on the best understanding of how a la carte would be priced, that would get me back to my $30 price point. However, I'd actually have just three cable channels instead of a couple of dozen. Is that "better"? I suppose it would vary from person to person.

There are a bunch of channels on Digital Starter I don't want, but would be willing to pay for some of the other channels not on Digital Starter. Guess that's not in the economic model - Forget Customer Service.
Actually, what's better "customer service"? $30 for three channels, or $60 for 150 channels? Again, I suppose it would vary from person to person.

keenan

11-17-09, 04:08 AM

Just to clarify, that Digital Starter for $29.99 is available to new customers as well as existing customers, I think they said it's good until the end of the year. The add Preferred w/Showtime for $9.99 + $1 is also good until the end of the year. That's here in the SF bay area though, can't say for anywhere else.

homcom

11-17-09, 04:20 AM

That 60 days is changing too: One of the most insidious aspects of the Internet is that as we share tactics and exploits online, those things become visible to the service providers we do business with, and they adjust as needed to help increase the chances that the promotions they offer actually serve their objectives well, rather than have the opposite effect.

Why do you say it is changing? It has never seemed to be a hard and fast rule. From my own personal experience and that of others I know under the right circumstances have been able to stay on some sort of promotional rate without upgrading or adding a product.

bicker1

11-17-09, 05:01 AM

Why do you say it is changing?From what I've been reading, the number has been increasing. While it indeed has never been a hard and fast rule, it used to be that you could get a promotional rate just by threatening to downgrade. Then you had to actually do the downgrade. Then you had to stay downgraded for a couple of months. Now it seems that you actually need to upgrade service or terminate service entirely and come back later, to get a promotional rate around here, if you currently have an expiring promotional rate for your current service level.

From my own personal experience and that of others I know under the right circumstances have been able to stay on some sort of promotional rate without upgrading or adding a product.Yes, me too. What I'm saying is that has changed. I did that for many years, and it just isn't working anymore. I asked around on several cable television related forums, and I found that I'm not alone. All the service providers are getting much more selective about offering promotions.

pjp

11-17-09, 06:49 AM

I think focusing on the closed captioning issue, especially if you have someone who is legally hearing impaired in the house, could be a fruitful approach. I, myself, couldn't legitimately go in and say, "I demand you give me better stuff, but I don't want to pay more," but I can legitimately go in and say, "I demand you provide a box that effectively provides reasonable accommodation for my hearing impaired wife."

Much as I don't like the Pace box, if I can get CC to work on that, I will be fine. So I'm not using as an excuse to ditch the Pace, but I do need to get CC to work.

I do think it ridiculous that they charge the $10 per month (or whatever it is, need to check my bill) to lease the Pace to you when the box when clearly is very inexpensive hardware. I didn't have any concerns with the Motorola value-wise. Picture-wise, the Pace performs ok -- I wasn't that thrilled with HD when I first hooked it up, but I swapped out the Motorola as a test and it looked basically the same.

pjp

11-17-09, 06:52 AM

On the remote control, make sure cable button is illuminated then push the power button, immediately press the menu button. This will open a secondary menu. Use the arrrow keys to turn on CC. CC will now be activate. It even works on top of the guide. But it's better than no CC.

john

John,

Thanks for your comments, but I've enabled it on the Pace box using this method and am still not receiving CC.

Peter

kenvt

11-17-09, 07:14 AM

From what I've been reading, the number has been increasing. While it indeed has never been a hard and fast rule, it used to be that you could get a promotional rate just by threatening to downgrade. Then you had to actually do the downgrade. Then you had to stay downgraded for a couple of months. Now it seems that you actually need to upgrade service or terminate service entirely and come back later, to get a promotional rate around here, if you currently have an expiring promotional rate for your current service level.

Yes, me too. What I'm saying is that has changed. I did that for many years, and it just isn't working anymore. I asked around on several cable television related forums, and I found that I'm not alone. All the service providers are getting much more selective about offering promotions.

I guess I was lucky, I was able to keep the $129 triple play for three years in a row. Last year I was told however that when it comes up in June I will have to go with the then prevailing normal rates.

I have also found there is a much better chance of getting a "deal" if you have the triple play. I think Comcast has more flexibility to give you a discount if you have the phone service.

-Ken

bicker1

11-17-09, 07:24 AM

No, I don't think you were lucky... I think you got the word, as you said, last year, that the ride is over.... it just has come due for some of us a few months before others. You had a year-long deal; my last promotion was only six months, so I kind-of skipped ahead of you in this regard, and hit the brick wall you're going to hit when your promotional rate expires just a bit earlier than you will. I should have done a one- or even a two- year deal this last time. Oh well.

I definitely could have gotten a deal if I upgraded to Triple Play (but remarkably, not if I just upgraded to Digital Starter with HSI). And I probably would have, if it weren't for my wife's insistence regarding the HSI issue.

georule

11-17-09, 11:53 AM

Btw, if you read the transcript on the 3Q earnings call, Comcast says that their marketing efforts have been shifting back from low end packages to pushing Triple Play harder again. The low-end package push was aimed around the broadcast transition, but now they are going back to pushing the lovely margins that Triple Play bring them.

They also mentioned they are planning to start pushing HSI/CDV packages with bundle discounts at satellite customers who are happy with their sat service. Apparently I was a little ahead of the curve when I dropped my video but added CDV to my HSI last summer.

Mike99

11-17-09, 03:56 PM

My current promo is Digital Preferred, which is Digital Starter + Digital Classic, for $44.99/month. The HD DVR is extra. This gives me just about everything except sports or movie packages. I could have had it for 6 months without a contract or 12 months with a contract, which is what I did. I've been getting some type of promo every 6 months, but have to keep calling and sometimes finding the right person to speak with. I seem to recall having Digital Starter for $30/month at one time, but was not offered it the last couple times.

bicker1

11-17-09, 04:11 PM

Please let us know how things work out next time your contract comes up.

(BTW: I called all the way up to Executive office folks -- the 888 309 2583 telephone number -- no luck.)

keenan

11-17-09, 05:31 PM

Please let us know how things work out next time your contract comes up.

(BTW: I called all the way up to Executive office folks -- the 888 309 2583 telephone number -- no luck.)

Called about what, a specific promo, or promos/deals in general?

I'm sure many are aware of this, but the offers - promos/deals/packages - are often different depending on how you go about it, whether it's in person, by phone or online. I did all of mine in the Comcast office and it does make a difference. I recall that the free HBO for two years was something the phone people didn't seem to be aware of, checked and insisted there was no such deal, while it was offered to me without me asking about it in the office.

Now, that could be communication, lack of training, or even just separate deals depending, but I believe it to be worthwhile to check with all methods of interaction when looking for those deals. It's paid off for me, while I'm not entirely happy with the PQ on some of the cablenet channels, the value is just too good to ignore.

Ken H

11-18-09, 01:54 AM

I have also found there is a much better chance of getting a "deal" if you have the triple play.Bing!

Mike99

11-18-09, 04:07 AM

I just call the phone number that is listed on my bill. I politely explain that the satellite providers plans are less expensive. And this is true based on the current DirecTV mailing that I have in my hand. I ask Comcast what can they do to be competitive. Usually they have some type of promo that they come up with. On occasion they tell me that I can reduce my cost by reducing my channel package. I explain that still does not make Comcast competitive and politely ask to speak to a supervisor or manager. Over the last couple years they have always come up with some type of promo.

FWIW, I do not have Internet or phone service with Comcast.

Some time ago my friend called to get, I believe, the Digital Starter promo. He had to speak to several reps before anyone acknowledged such a promo, but he eventually got it.

You may have to speak to more one than one rep, but it's worth doing.

bicker1

11-18-09, 06:01 AM

Called about what, a specific promo, or promos/deals in general?First promos, then retention. No go.

All these ideas used to work like a charm... evidently no longer, at least not for everyone.

keenan

11-18-09, 01:58 PM

First promos, then retention. No go.

All these ideas used to work like a charm... evidently no longer, at least not for everyone.

That's too bad, I suppose the only thing you can do is try again in the future, maybe 3 mos or so down the road. They're still offering them like Halloween candy out here.

blitzen102

11-18-09, 03:21 PM

bicker1

11-18-09, 03:41 PM

That's too bad, I suppose the only thing you can do is try again in the future, maybe 3 mos or so down the road. Nah, I'm going to give FiOS the year. Then we'll see where we stand. Comcast's main advantage is Digital Economy -- FiOS essentially requires us to upgrade up to their equivalent to Digital Starter. Y'know... being "forced" to get Syfy and TNT and a few others we said goodbye to when we downgraded to Digital Economy isn't really a bad thing, especially since we generally "need" that service level most of the year (Caprica starts in January; The Closer, Saving Grace, and Warehouse 13 over the summer, etc.)

In the end, it all boils down (for us) to HSI, and Comcast's advantage over FiOS in the television realm cannot trump FiOS' advantage over Comcast in the HSI arena (at least on paper -- time will tell).

bicker1

11-18-09, 03:41 PM

For those people that have Digital Economy, are you all in "Cavalried" areas (the anolog reclaimation heas been completed or is in-work)??I started Digital Economy just before our conversion.

keenan

11-18-09, 04:12 PM

Nah, I'm going to give FiOS the year. Then we'll see where we stand. Comcast's main advantage is Digital Economy -- FiOS essentially requires us to upgrade up to their equivalent to Digital Starter. Y'know... being "forced" to get Syfy and TNT and a few others we said goodbye to when we downgraded to Digital Economy isn't really a bad thing, especially since we generally "need" that service level most of the year (Caprica starts in January; The Closer, Saving Grace, and Warehouse 13 over the summer, etc.)

In the end, it all boils down (for us) to HSI, and Comcast's advantage over FiOS in the television realm cannot trump FiOS' advantage over Comcast in the HSI arena (at least on paper -- time will tell).

You're lucky to have that option, the SF bay area is AT&T U-verse country and from what I've read and seen, it's not even really a competitor. Every time I see those Verizon "there's a map for that" ads I think about AT&T's video service being similarly challenged. :D

QZ1

11-18-09, 09:55 PM

For those people that have Digital Economy, are you all in "Cavalried" areas (the anolog reclaimation heas been completed or is in-work)??

No sign of the Cavalry here yet in MN. I am hoping that this "Digital Economy" package may be the first sign.
I don't think there is any correlation. Our area has listed Digital Economy since last Nov., yet the Cavalry hasn't arrived yet, a year later. (It is in adjacent systems, and should be here very soon.)

Morac

11-19-09, 04:59 PM

When my 2-year triple play contract expired last month, Comcast automatically added a $50 monthly credit to my bill (separate $20 and $30 credits). When I called to ask about it, they said that they add it to soften the blow of coming off a contract. It supposedly lasts for a year.

In service related news. Comcast of Burlington (NJ) has completed the digital switchover. Only the basic channels plus C-SPAN and HSN are available in analog. To do this they swapped C-SPAN and CNN's position in the lineup as well as HSN and TLC. The problem is they didn't bother to tell Tribune so the channels show up wrong on my TiVo and every TV listing web site out there.

Now that nearly everything is digital, how long until new HD channels are added?

Daniel Murray

11-19-09, 08:05 PM

jhachey

11-19-09, 09:04 PM

maxman

11-19-09, 10:36 PM

I bet faster than my system Garden State System!

Good luck Daniel

Daniel Murray

11-19-09, 11:01 PM

Good luck Daniel

it has bin Long time maxman! How is Fios?

Morac

11-20-09, 02:46 AM

I checked tonight and there are now 82 HD channels in the 800s. 39 are new. Unfortunately Comcast didn't tell anyone about the change so none of them have any guide data on my TiVo or anywhere else besides my cable box. I called Comcast because my modem went out and that's when I heard the ad for 80 new channels with 100 coming soon.

I asked the support guy when the data would be sent to Tribune and he said eventually. He also told me if I had a Comcast DVR, which he claimed was better than TiVo, that this wouldn't be an issue.

I'll post the full list later as posting this on my iPhone was tough enough. :)

bicker1

11-20-09, 05:43 AM

Our new channels arrived earlier this week, and they were available in our TiVo Program Guide, served by Tribune.

maxman

11-20-09, 07:51 AM

it has bin Long time maxman! How is Fios?

FIOS is excellent. They keep adding more and more HD channels all the time. Over 130 now. Just renewed my contract for another year. :)

Morac

11-20-09, 01:28 PM

Our new channels arrived earlier this week, and they were available in our TiVo Program Guide, served by Tribune.

It would be nice if Comcast bothered to tell Tribune about the changes in my area. There's a bunch of Season Passes I'd like to switch to the new HD channels, but without guide data that's not feasible.

I guess I'll bug Comcast, Tribune and TiVo until they fix it. The "customer care" person I spoke to at Comcast didn't seem to know anything about it. Maybe I'll contact Frank.

As for the list, here's the "new" channels that I got. Anything not marked NEW already existed int the lineup under the specified channel. This also doesn't include HBOHD, MAXHD, SHOWHD and STARZHD which weren't added to the 800s for some reason:

Channel # | Call Sign | Channel Name (Affiliate) | NEW or existing channel # | Note |
790 | LVWEL | Live Well HD | NEW |
792 | WMFZDT | WFMZ HD | 271 |
799 | WPPXDT | WPPX HD (ION) | 272 |
800 | NJNDT | NJN HD (PBS) | 261 |
801 | HDDM | HD ON DEMAND | 228 | On Demand Channel |
803 | KYWDT | KTW HD (CBS) | 233 |
805 | WTXFDT | WTXF HD (FOX) | 234 |
806 | WPIVDT | WPIV HD (ABC) | 231 |
807 | WPHLDT | WPHL HD (MyTV) | 235 |
808 | QVCHD | QVC HD | NEW |
810 | WCUADT | WCAU HD (NBC) | 232 |
811 | WPSGDT | WPSG HD (CW) | 236 |
812 | WHYYD | WHYY HD (PBS) | 240 |
815 | TWCHD | The Weather Channel HD | NEW |
816 | HLNHD | CNN Headline News HD | NEW |
817 | CNNHD | CNN HD | 221 |
818 | MSNBCHD | MSNBC HD | NEW |
819 | CNBCHD | CNBC HD | NEW |
820 | FNCHD | Fox News Channel HD | NEW |
821 | FBNHD | Fox Business News HD | NEW |
822 | UHD | Universal HD | 208 |
823 | USAHD | USA HD | 222 |
824 | FXHD | FX HD | NEW |
825 | TNTHD | TNT HD | 204 |
826 | TBSHD | TBS HD | 220 |
827 | SPIKEHD | Spike HD | NEW |
828 | COMEDYHD | Comedy Central HD | NEW |
829 | SYFYHD | SyFy HD | 226 |
830 | WGNAMERHD | WGN America HD | NEW |
831 | A&EHD | A&E HD | 211 |
832 | BRAVOHD | Bravo HD | NEW |
833 | E!HD | E! Entertainment HD | NEW |
835 | LIFEHD | Lifetime HD | NEW |
837 | TLCHD | The Learning Channel HD | 225 |
838 | HGTVHD | HGTV HD | 213 |
839 | FOODHD | Food Network HD | 216 |
840 | TRAVHD | Travel Channel HD | NEW |
841 | TRUEHD | TrueTV HD | NEW |
847 | CSNPHHD | Comcast SportsNet Philly HD | 200 |
848 | VSHD | Versus HD | 206 |
849 | GOLFHD | Golf HD | 207 |
850 | ESPNHD | ESPN HD | 202 |
851 | ESPN2HD | ESPN2 HD | 203 |
852 | ESPNEWWHD | ESPN News HD | NEW |
853 | ESPNU | ESPNU HD | NEW |
854 | CBSCSHD | CBS College Sports HD | NEW |
855 | BIGTENHD | Big Ten Network HD | NEW |
856 | TCNHD | Comcast Network Philly HD | 201 | 201 not in Tribune's channel Lineup |
857 | SPEEDHD | Speed HD | NEW |
858 | NHLHD | NHL Network HD | NEW |
859 | MLBHD | Major League Baseball HD | 191 |
860 | NFLHD | NFL Network HD | 218 |
861 | NFLRD | NFL Redzone HD | 274 |
862 | TENNISHD | Tennis HD | NEW |
863 | NBAHD | NBA HD | NEW |
866 | BETHD | Black Entertainent TV HD | NEW |
868 | APLHD | Animal Planet HD | 230 |
869 | DSCHD | Discovery Channel HD | 224 |
870 | HDT | HD Theater | 205 |
871 | NGCHD | National Geographic HD | 210 |
872 | SCIHD | Science Channel HD | 191 |
873 | GRNHD | Planet Green HD | NEW |
874 | BIOHD | A&E Biography HD | NEW |
875 | HISTHD | History Channel HD | 217 |
877 | DXDHD | Disney XD HD | NEW |
878 | TOONHD | Cartoon Network HD | NEW |
879 | NICKHD | Nickelodeon HD | NEW |
880 | DISNHD | Disney Channel HD | 239 |
881 | ABCFHD | ABC Family HD | 195 |
883 | CMTHD | Country Music TV HD | NEW |
884 | MTVHD | Music Television HD | NEW |
886 | VH1HD | VH1 HD | NEW |
889 | AMCHD | American Movie Classics HD | 185 |
890 | TCMHD | Turner Classic Movies HD | NEW |
891 | ENCOREHD | Encore East HD | NEW |
892 | MGMHD | MGM HD | NEW |
894 | HALMRKHD | Hallmark Movie Channel HD | NEW |
895 | LIFEMVHD | Lifetime Movie East HD | NEW |

That puts the total number of HD channels (including the 4 original premiums) to 82. Not bad, not bad at all. :)

Now if only Comcast would tell Tribune about the change. :mad:

bicker1

11-20-09, 02:09 PM

BMAG

11-20-09, 02:44 PM

Anybody know why South Jersey got Turner Classic Movies HD but North Jersey did not?

keenan

11-20-09, 03:00 PM

Actually, it's Tribune's responsibility to solicit change information periodically from all of the service providers. Regardless, there is no way to know whether or not Tribune has received notification or not, until after they've processed it. From what the channel line-up people at TiVo have told me, Tribune is evidently known for losing things.

Actually, from the Comcast California Regional VP of Communications, it's Comcast who notifies Tribune of any channel changes/additions. It's an automatic process apparently, but many times the actual physical completion of the channel changes/migrations happens before the trigger date to send the info to the EPG providers. Then you end up with the situations like the above.

bicker1

11-20-09, 03:24 PM

it's Tribune's responsibility to solicit change information periodically from all of the service providersActually, from the Comcast California Regional VP of Communications, it's Comcast who notifies Tribune of any channel changes/additions.Note the message you were replying to. I was talking about where the responsibility rests... not what deal that Tribune might have worked out with Comcast. Comcast has indeed agree to help out both Tribune and Gemstar, as far as I know, but never forget that the obligation rests with Tribute and Gemstar, and beyond that, the service providers who use their services. Comcast is simply being a good partner (they're not getting paid for forwarding the changes AFIAHH). Comcast's obligation, though, is to notice their subscribers of these changes, and AFAIK they do so effectively.

Daniel Murray

11-20-09, 03:38 PM

FIOS is excellent. They keep adding more and more HD channels all the time. Over 130 now. Just renewed my contract for another year. :)

:eek:

Daniel Murray

11-20-09, 03:41 PM

It would be nice if Comcast bothered to tell Tribune about the changes in my area. There's a bunch of Season Passes I'd like to switch to the new HD channels, but without guide data that's not feasible.

I guess I'll bug Comcast, Tribune and TiVo until they fix it. The "customer care" person I spoke to at Comcast didn't seem to know anything about it. Maybe I'll contact Frank.

As for the list, here's the "new" channels that I got. Anything not marked NEW already existed int the lineup under the specified channel. This also doesn't include HBOHD, MAXHD, SHOWHD and STARZHD which weren't added to the 800s for some reason:

Channel # | Call Sign | Channel Name (Affiliate) | NEW or existing channel # | Note |
790 | LVWEL | Live Well HD | NEW |
792 | WMFZDT | WFMZ HD | 271 |
799 | WPPXDT | WPPX HD (ION) | 272 |
800 | NJNDT | NJN HD (PBS) | 261 |
801 | HDDM | HD ON DEMAND | 228 | On Demand Channel |
803 | KYWDT | KTW HD (CBS) | 233 |
805 | WTXFDT | WTXF HD (FOX) | 234 |
806 | WPIVDT | WPIV HD (ABC) | 231 |
807 | WPHLDT | WPHL HD (MyTV) | 235 |
808 | QVCHD | QVC HD | NEW |
810 | WCUADT | WCAU HD (NBC) | 232 |
811 | WPSGDT | WPSG HD (CW) | 236 |
812 | WHYYD | WHYY HD (PBS) | 240 |
815 | TWCHD | The Weather Channel HD | NEW |
816 | HLNHD | CNN Headline News HD | NEW |
817 | CNNHD | CNN HD | 221 |
818 | MSNBCHD | MSNBC HD | NEW |
819 | CNBCHD | CNBC HD | NEW |
820 | FNCHD | Fox News Channel HD | NEW |
821 | FBNHD | Fox Business News HD | NEW |
822 | UHD | Universal HD | 208 |
823 | USAHD | USA HD | 222 |
824 | FXHD | FX HD | NEW |
825 | TNTHD | TNT HD | 204 |
826 | TBSHD | TBS HD | 220 |
827 | SPIKEHD | Spike HD | NEW |
828 | COMEDYHD | Comedy Central HD | NEW |
829 | SYFYHD | SyFy HD | 226 |
830 | WGNAMERHD | WGN America HD | NEW |
831 | A&EHD | A&E HD | 211 |
832 | BRAVOHD | Bravo HD | NEW |
833 | E!HD | E! Entertainment HD | NEW |
835 | LIFEHD | Lifetime HD | NEW |
837 | TLCHD | The Learning Channel HD | 225 |
838 | HGTVHD | HGTV HD | 213 |
839 | FOODHD | Food Network HD | 216 |
840 | TRAVHD | Travel Channel HD | NEW |
841 | TRUEHD | TrueTV HD | NEW |
847 | CSNPHHD | Comcast SportsNet Philly HD | 200 |
848 | VSHD | Versus HD | 206 |
849 | GOLFHD | Golf HD | 207 |
850 | ESPNHD | ESPN HD | 202 |
851 | ESPN2HD | ESPN2 HD | 203 |
852 | ESPNEWWHD | ESPN News HD | NEW |
853 | ESPNU | ESPNU HD | NEW |
854 | CBSCSHD | CBS College Sports HD | NEW |
855 | BIGTENHD | Big Ten Network HD | NEW |
856 | TCNHD | Comcast Network Philly HD | 201 | 201 not in Tribune's channel Lineup |
857 | SPEEDHD | Speed HD | NEW |
858 | NHLHD | NHL Network HD | NEW |
859 | MLBHD | Major League Baseball HD | 191 |
860 | NFLHD | NFL Network HD | 218 |
861 | NFLRD | NFL Redzone HD | 274 |
862 | TENNISHD | Tennis HD | NEW |
863 | NBAHD | NBA HD | NEW |
866 | BETHD | Black Entertainent TV HD | NEW |
868 | APLHD | Animal Planet HD | 230 |
869 | DSCHD | Discovery Channel HD | 224 |
870 | HDT | HD Theater | 205 |
871 | NGCHD | National Geographic HD | 210 |
872 | SCIHD | Science Channel HD | 191 |
873 | GRNHD | Planet Green HD | NEW |
874 | BIOHD | A&E Biography HD | NEW |
875 | HISTHD | History Channel HD | 217 |
877 | DXDHD | Disney XD HD | NEW |
878 | TOONHD | Cartoon Network HD | NEW |
879 | NICKHD | Nickelodeon HD | NEW |
880 | DISNHD | Disney Channel HD | 239 |
881 | ABCFHD | ABC Family HD | 195 |
883 | CMTHD | Country Music TV HD | NEW |
884 | MTVHD | Music Television HD | NEW |
886 | VH1HD | VH1 HD | NEW |
889 | AMCHD | American Movie Classics HD | 185 |
890 | TCMHD | Turner Classic Movies HD | NEW |
891 | ENCOREHD | Encore East HD | NEW |
982 | MGMHD | MGM HD | NEW |
894 | HALMRKHD | Hallmark Movie Channel HD | NEW |
895 | LIFEMVHD | Lifetime Movie East HD | NEW |

That puts the total number of HD channels (including the 4 original premiums) to 82. Not bad, not bad at all. :)

Now if only Comcast would tell Tribune about the change. :mad:
Boy I am missing out big time being on the garden state system.:mad:

keenan

11-20-09, 04:09 PM

Morac

11-20-09, 04:12 PM

Note the message you were replying to. I was talking about where the responsibility rests... not what deal that Tribune might have worked out with Comcast. Comcast has indeed agree to help out both Tribune and Gemstar, as far as I know, but never forget that the obligation rests with Tribute and Gemstar, and beyond that, the service providers who use their services. Comcast is simply being a good partner (they're not getting paid for forwarding the changes AFIAHH). Comcast's obligation, though, is to notice their subscribers of these changes, and AFAIK they do so effectively.

Since Comcast hasn't even updated their own service pages such as the Line Up page, Fancast or their own iPhone apps, I think that the department in charge of making these changes and sending out notifications isn't even aware of the change. Normally lineup changes show up on Tribune the day they take effect since Comcast notifies them ahead of time.

Talking to the customer care person last night, he told me that he just became aware of the changes that night. It appears whoever made the lineup change simply updated the lineup data for Comcast's cable boxes and the CableCards and didn't tell anyone about it.

The main problem with the whole Tribune thing is that Tribune can initiate a request for info from Comcast about any changes. If the group at Comcast who handles this simply sends Tribune the official channel lineup then the changes will never occur. Comcast has to update their own internal channel lineup before there's even a chance of Tribune's data being correct.

Morac

11-20-09, 04:14 PM

Boy I am missing out big time being on the garden state system.:mad:

Unfortunately Garden State is a Cisco system. I think it's the only one in the area. I think Comcast is doing them last. That and Cherry Hill is one of the test bed systems for SDV so they might not want to fiddle with it.

bicker1

11-20-09, 04:33 PM

Since Comcast hasn't even updated their own service pages such as the Line Up page, Fancast or their own iPhone apps, I think that the department in charge of making these changes and sending out notifications isn't even aware of the change.The Comcast Line Up page is often years behind, in my experience. I see no reason to believe that there is any department charged with pushing changes to line ups-in-reality up to the web site. I don't use Fancast or iPhone, so I don't know if they're tied in the same way as the Line Up page (i.e., not at all) or not.

How about the service provider's STBs? That's the best indicator of whether the service provider dropped the ball. The service provider is responsible for ensuring that the STBs reflect service level changes appropriately.

The main problem with the whole Tribune thing is that Tribune can initiate a request for info from Comcast about any changes.That is a problem. Theoretically, Tribune could solicit information daily from each service providers' office within which they have customers who need service -- that'll probably be more reliable. Either that, or they could actually pay a reasonable price for service change notifications to be forwarded to them. If accuracy was made worth the service providers' while, then accuracy would improve, I'm sure. As long as its essentially a freebie that service providers offer to these information resellers, it's not going to get a lot of attention.

Marcus Carr

11-20-09, 04:57 PM

keenan

11-20-09, 06:06 PM

Either that, or they could actually pay a reasonable price for service change notifications to be forwarded to them. If accuracy was made worth the service providers' while, then accuracy would improve, I'm sure. As long as its essentially a freebie that service providers offer to these information resellers, it's not going to get a lot of attention.

As usual, you're completely eliminating the possibility that Comcast could be at fault with the lineup change issue. I explained above why these problems happen, and it's the result of communications within Comcast and variances in the completion dates of channel migrations. There's an agreement in place to provide the information, whether money changes hands or not is not the point, when the above issues happen, invalid data/channel listings, it's because Comcast did not notify the EPG provider in a timely fashion. It is not a matter of "if they paid for it, it would be more accurate". This is straight from the VP Communications at Comcast California.

Satcom15

11-20-09, 06:25 PM

As usual, you're completely eliminating the possibility that Comcast could be at fault with the lineup change issue. ...

Oh come on now. How can you say that? Comcast can NEVER be at fault. :D Why shucks, they probably had no role in being a victim in a recent hack attack. I'm sure their firewalls and other security equipment is top notch. Must have been some super hackers that got in there. I'm of course referring to the 19/20 year olds that got charged for breaking into their website. Its on today's CNN Tech page of their website:

www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/20/comcast.hacking.charge/index.html

Three Charged as Comcast Hackers

An extract:

"In an interview the day after the attack, Defiant and EBK told Wired magazine's Threat Level that they didn't initially set out to redirect the site's traffic. Instead, they merely changed the contact information for the Comcast.net domain to Defiant's e-mail address; for the street address, they used a false address using crass language.

Then, the hackers said, they contacted Comcast's original technical contact at his home number to tell him what they'd done. It was only when the Comcast manager scoffed at their claim and hung up on them that EBK said it was decided to take the more drastic measure of redirecting the site's traffic to servers under the hackers' control."

Food for thought eh? :D

bicker1

11-20-09, 09:07 PM

As usual, you're completely eliminating the possibility that Comcast could be at fault with the lineup change issue.I could say that, "as usual", you're "completely" assuming that Comcast is at fault, even though, in this case, they have the least responsibility, and there is absolutely no evidence to support your direct blame in their direction instead of Tribune's and TiVo's. That bias is unwarranted and misdirecting. I couldn't care less about Comcast. I'm actually dumping them as my supplier, because they no longer serve my family's need the best. However, that's not going to stop me from insisting on balance in presentation of their relative merits.

keenan

11-20-09, 09:29 PM

I could say that, "as usual", you're "completely" assuming that Comcast is at fault, even though, in this case, they have the least responsibility, and there is absolutely no evidence to support your direct blame in their direction instead of Tribune's and TiVo's. That bias is unwarranted and misdirecting. I couldn't care less about Comcast. I'm actually dumping them as my supplier, because they no longer serve my family's need the best. However, that's not going to stop me from insisting on balance in presentation of their relative merits.

No, maybe not in this particular case noted above, but it is exactly what happened under identical circumstances out here in the SF bay area. If it walks like a duck...

QZ1

11-20-09, 09:50 PM

Finally got a postcard today about DTAs for Baltimore City. Effective 12/23, Digital Starter and above will include a free digital converter or DTA on the primary outlet and up to two free additional DTAs. No mention of analog reclamation yet.
We got a mention in our bill instead, and it was last Jan., effective last Feb. 10, yet the 'Cavalry' still hasn't arrived yet; it should very soon, as several nearby areas have recently.

Marcus Carr

11-21-09, 12:22 AM

We got a mention in our bill instead, and it was last Jan., effective last Feb. 10, yet the 'Cavalry' still hasn't arrived yet; it should very soon, as several nearby areas have recently.

Most of the nearby Maryland counties have the new channels or will in December. We should get them in the next couple of months.

D_B_0673

11-21-09, 05:46 AM

Most of the nearby Maryland counties have the new channels or will in December. We should get them in the next couple of months.

does that include Carroll Co?
I have not received any notification but would love to get the new lineup

D_B_0673

11-21-09, 08:38 AM

Can someone recommend a good reliable docsis 3 modem to use with comcast
They have just increased the modem rental to $5 per month from $3. That has pushed me over the edge
is the Moto 6120 still considered tops?

not sure if I need docsis 3, but might want to future proof. I am in a docsis 3 area I believe but I don't pay extra for super fast service. I get 15.5 meg down and 4.5 meg up

Thanks

homcom

11-21-09, 09:04 AM

Morac

11-21-09, 02:41 PM

How about the service provider's STBs? That's the best indicator of whether the service provider dropped the ball. The service provider is responsible for ensuring that the STBs reflect service level changes appropriately.

The STB listing is correct and the cableCARD channel listing include the new channels, but that's all done by the engineers at the local headend.

I've found that the engineers rarely communicate with the rest of the company. I had a conversation with one of customer care people a few years back about a problem I was seeing on ESPN Classic. I was told that I don't receive ESPN Classic despite the fact that it was listed on my STB and I was watching it. I told the person to change to channel "X" and she said she was in a different state so she couldn't look at it.

ESPN Classic was available to me for about 5 years before it was eventually removed. The entire time, that channel was not in my lineup according to Comcast.

As for Fancast, Comcast used to have TV listings on their web site, but moved it to Fancast since they are placing all TV related stuff their in preparation for launching "On Demand Anywhere". I'm guessing Comcast either uses the guide data that they send to Tribune to populate the TV listings on Fancast or they simply use Tribune's data. In either case my listings are wrong currently. See http://www.fancast.com/comcast-tv-listings. The iPhone application (written by Comcast) simply provides an interface to the same listings that display on Fancast, in addition to access to e-mail and voice mail.

bicker1

11-21-09, 03:08 PM

I've found that the engineers rarely communicate with the rest of the company.And that's the structural weakness in Tribune's operations model. The quality of Tribune's work is dependent on something that is in way beyond their control.

I'm guessing Comcast either uses the guide data that they send to Tribune to populate the TV listings on Fancast or they simply use Tribune's data.Yeah, the latter I expect. The only thing that Comcast necessarily adds to the party is channel mapping. Why do they even bother with channel mapping online?

Marcus Carr

11-22-09, 01:34 PM

Comcast customers say billing tied to digital upgrade was 'deceptive'

Posted: 6:05 a.m. Today

Weeks after Comcast initiated digital network upgrades in the Ann Arbor region, several cable customers said they were deceived about the costs associated with the switchover.

Comcast officials adamantly denied that they failed to properly communicate the details about the costs to consumers.

But several customers told AnnArbor.com that they were surprised to find an extra $1.99-per-month charge on their monthly bills after Comcast completed upgrading its cable network from analog to digital.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t understand Comcast,” said Tom Flanagan, a retired Ann Arbor resident who spends 10 percent of his income - $171.64 a month - on cable, phone and Internet services. “They’re making a ton of money, they’re going to buy NBC. Why are they nickeling and diming their customers? Really it’s ridiculous.”

Comcast this month completed the digital upgrade of its network in Washtenaw County. Due to the upgrade, customers were told to install a digital cable box or digital adapter on their TVs to ensure uninterrupted service. Customers were offered free equipment to make the transition. An official Comcast blogger in May said analog cable customers would receive "digital equipment for three TVs at no charge" and that "digital customers also get some free equipment."

Comcast, interviewed several times Thursday, now says that customers who already had a digital cable box were only eligible for two free digital adapters. They were not offered an additional cable box for free, Comcast spokesman Patrick Paterno said. Customers who did not previously have a cable box were offered a free cable box and two free digital adapters.

Flanagan said a Comcast representative told him that he would receive three pieces of equipment for free. But when he got his bill, a $1.99-per-month charge had been added.

"I said, 'I'm trying to reduce my cable bill, not expand it,'" Flanagan said.

Ypsilanti resident Jeff Smith said he has four TVs - one that already had a cable box and three that were receiving an analog signal.

Believing that he would receive free equipment for three TVs, Smith requested a cable box and two adapters. When he opened up his bill this week, he was surprised to find an extra $1.99 charge.

After contacting the cable company about the extra charge, a Comcast representative told Smith in an e-mail provided to AnnArbor.com that he “would have access to the two free digital adapters only” because he was already a digital cable customer. “Any additional equipment would involve a monthly charge," the representative wrote.

Smith said he plans to return the cable box to Comcast, because his fourth TV is housed in his basement and is used only occasionally by his children. But he said he was still annoyed.

“I think it was deceptive. I’m not going to lose sleep over it. It’s just the principle of the thing,” Smith said. “We’ve just had issues with these people forever. They can’t just seem to run their business.”

Roger Sutton, chair of Ann Arbor Cable Communications Commission, said he was not aware of any complaints filed directed to the commission about the digital upgrade billing situation. But he said that legislation approved by Lansing lawmakers a few years ago shifts influence on the cable operators from the city to the state.

"There’s nothing we can do about it," Sutton said. "We’ve had our legs cut out from under us by the state legislature."

The billing confusion comes after customers complained that they were not given enough time to acquire new equipment and that their digital video recorders no longer work properly due to the upgrade.

About 84 percent of Comcast cable customers statewide have at least one TV using digital equipment, Paterno said.

Paterno said customers who have only one cable box and two adapters “should not be charged $1.99 for equipment.”

“It’s a pretty straight forward network enhancement that we’re doing,” he said.

Comcast officials have repeatedly said the company is investing in digital upgrades to free up network capability to provide customers with faster Internet and more cable channels.

Comcast announced Thursday that it is now providing access to 44 new high-definition channels, such as CNBC HD and MTV HD, to customers who pay a monthly fee for HDTV service.

Comcast, which has about 100,000 employees, including about 4,200 in Michigan, reports annual revenue of about $35.34 billion. The company, whose Michigan operation is based in Southfield, has 1.2 million customers in the state.

The upgrades come as Comcast increased its monthly rates as of Nov. 1. Nationally, the average Comcast customer is paying an additional 1.4 percent, Paterno said.

"The process of migrating a market to all digital service is not related to this (price) increase," Paterno said in a statement issued in response to an AnnArbor.com request. "We have made an investment in our customers’ future with the promise of an all-digital experience and we intend to continue to deliver on that in the simplest and easy way possible for the consumer. The increase for video service is linked to the cost of doing business, which includes programming increases."

Customers with questions about the digital upgrades can visit www.comcast.com/digitalnow.

Customers who had limited basic cable are still being offered analog service. Expanded basic cable customers, however, are impacted by the upgrades.

http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/comcast-customers-say-billing-tied-to-digital-upgrade-is-deceptive/

http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/comcast-customers-say-billing-tied-to-digital-upgrade-is-deceptive/

bicker1

11-22-09, 01:41 PM

QZ1

11-22-09, 05:47 PM

An article about being (possibly) deceived for a $2 DTA rental, which can be returned? Worthy of an article? That is laughable.:D

In my dealings with Comcast, they have flat out lied to me verbally and in print (by Chat), in $ amounts much more than that several times, eventhough I always confirm prices, and the total. If I have any doubts based on the conversation or Chat, I re-confirm. If the bill is wrong I get it corrected. Some people have nothing more to worry about, I guess.:rolleyes:;)

We haven't gotten our Cavalry notice yet, it should be very soon. However, last Jan. our bill clearly says that one's Standard cable subscription now includes your choice of one Digital Box or one DTA plus two more DTAs; addtl. DTAs are $1.99 ea./mo. (Several other areas, I have read, also have this statement, about it being 'included'.) I bet that area got a similar notice, but the person didn't bother to read it or didn't understand it.

I figured this would be a problem at some point, the way people are saying three free boxes, I figured some CSRs would say it also. No, it is three boxes now included in your service. So, if you already have one, you get two more. It isn't rocket science.:rolleyes::D

Marcus Carr

11-23-09, 09:50 AM

does that include Carroll Co?
I have not received any notification but would love to get the new lineup

Does Carroll County use Scientific Atlanta boxes? If so it could be a while since there are no DTAs for them yet.

Marcus Carr

11-23-09, 01:50 PM

Comcast shuffling channels as part of its own digital transition

By Anna Marie Kukec | Daily Herald StaffC

Can't find CLTV or ESPN? Comcast is shuffling some channel, partly due to its own digital transition to make room for on-demand services.

While regular broadcast stations went through a federally mandated digital transition earlier this year, cable now takes its turn nationwide, including in the Chicago suburbs.

Comcast Corp., which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, plans to switch analog cable channels, such as ESPN and others, to digital starting in March and finishing around September 2010. This will ultimately open more space in its network for more OnDemand programs, more new channels, and even faster cable service, the company said.

"Putting ESPN, for example, in digital format will allow us to put in 10 to 12 more digital channels in the same space or two to three HD stations in the same space," said Comcast spokesman Rich Ruggiero. "This frees up a tremendous amount of capacity."

In recent weeks, Comcast subscribers around the suburbs have been receiving letters that outline the digital transition for their area. For example, those living in the Mount Prospect area received notices last week that if they have the Digital Starter package, they'll need digital adapters to continue receiving certain channels. They can get up to two free digital adapters, while more will cost $1.99 each per month. Other customers may need a new digital set-top box, while extras will cost $5.99 each per month.

Comcast intends to promote its digital transition as "World of More," because once the transition is complete, more products and features will be made available. This includes boosting the number of OnDemand choices from 10,000 to about 20,000, including about 6,000 movies with some in high-definition. And a new tier of service for international programming for Spanish, Polish and other languages is expected to be offered, Ruggiero said.

The other digital transition

Cable operations in many markets nationwide have been working on their own digital transition for a number of years, some even before the broadcast digital transition that we experienced earlier this year, said Brian Dietz, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

"Because the two different transitions were occurring simultaneously, it undoubtedly has resulted in some confusion, but there are important differences," Dietz said.

The digital transition that occurred earlier this year related only to "over the air" broadcast channels, such as the ABC, NBC, CBS affiliates. Cable operators pledged that they would continue to carry these broadcast channels in a format that would not require customers to obtain a set-top box and that customers who still want to watch the broadcast-only channels without a set-top box can continue to do so, Dietz said.

The primary reason for cable's digital transition is to free up bandwidth that can be used to provide consumers with a host of new interactive services, including more HD channels, faster broadband speeds and more Video on Demand in the future.

"Analog channels consume much more bandwidth, so as cable operators move to a digital format, they have considerable more flexibility to offer consumers these exciting new services," Dietz said.

CLTV on the move

In addition to the digital shifts, Comcast has moved other channels. CLTV fans with Comcast may be wondering where their 24-hour news source went. To another tier of service, the company said.

Chicagoland Television News and Comcast recently signed a multiyear agreement that purposely moved the channel from Comcast's Extended Basic, for which there is no additional charge, to its Digital Starter tier of service, costing about $59.

The change affected about 150,000, or about 10 percent, of area customers, said Comcast spokesman Rich Ruggiero.

Comcast pays CLTV, as it does other channels, for the right to offer it to subscribers. Terms of the agreement were not made public, Ruggiero said.

This was the first major change in how Comcast offered CLTV, since it began including the channel when it launched in 1993, he said.

"Actually, this change is huge," said Dale Bugno of Arlington Heights, a 21-year Comcast customer and CLTV fan. "It affects all consumers with only Expanded Basic Service. It also affects ... higher levels of service such as the next-up Digital Starter package if your TV does not possess digital equipment."

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=339076

iontyre

11-23-09, 02:22 PM

Does Carroll County use Scientific Atlanta boxes? If so it could be a while since there are no DTAs for them yet.

Huh? That is the first I have heard of that. No wonder we don't have Calvary yet in Harford County, as we are using SA/Cisco boxes. Not really sure why it matters (does the DTA use some subset of the full cable box software to do it's job?), but I hope if gets resolved soon.

Is this why we are getting NHL Center Ice for free in Harford County, to make up for the Calvary delay? :cool:

Morac

11-23-09, 05:07 PM

Has anyone else noticed that Comcast is no longer passing along the PSIP data for certain local HD channels?

They are passing it for most, but there are three channels in my area where they are not. As such those channels (29.1, 17.1 and 57.1) can no longer be tuned by using the OTA channel number.

Dackz

11-23-09, 11:58 PM

So when is this getting rolled out in the Colorado area? Speficially, Loveland CO. I have 3 HD channels that Greeley CO has, and they have channels I dont have. Was abruptly about to switch to Directv for HD (I have 4 HD capable tv's, and only 20 channels I can watch in HD) to see more. Any ideas? If its shorter then 1 year Ill just stick it out since Directv has the 2 year contract. I know we have 'upgraded' service to a degree because I am on a docsis 3.0 modem at least :)

D_B_0673

11-24-09, 04:48 AM

Does Carroll County use Scientific Atlanta boxes? If so it could be a while since there are no DTAs for them yet.

Yes Carroll Co is Scientific Atlanta

bicker1

11-24-09, 06:01 AM

So when is this getting rolled out in the Colorado area? You'll have to check with your local Comcast thread, if there is one for your area. Generally, though, this information comes available less than a few months prior. The worst thing would be to announce a scheduled and then miss it: Given how vicious the press and public are already, with regard to big companies like Comcast, just imagine if they had something substantial to be vicious about, like a missed announced deadline.

TyrantII

11-24-09, 09:18 AM

An article about being (possibly) deceived for a $2 DTA rental, which can be returned? Worthy of an article? That is laughable.:D

In my dealings with Comcast, they have flat out lied to me verbally and in print (by Chat)

My parents are making the switch, and comcast is going out of it's way to make the transition as confusing as possible for the less tech savy. And why not, it's more money as older people and non tech savy people just shake their heads around it all and end up paying more. As you said, they frequently lie, unfortunately not many people have options.

Anyways, quick comcast question:

Has comcast finally gotten new Digital HD Boxes with HDMI?

Or are the DVR boxes still the only ones that support it?

kevin j

11-24-09, 04:00 PM

I have an HD box with HDMI[RNG110].

totalownership

11-26-09, 12:42 AM

It would be nice if Comcast bothered to tell Tribune about the changes in my area. There's a bunch of Season Passes I'd like to switch to the new HD channels, but without guide data that's not feasible.

I guess I'll bug Comcast, Tribune and TiVo until they fix it. The "customer care" person I spoke to at Comcast didn't seem to know anything about it. Maybe I'll contact Frank.

As for the list, here's the "new" channels that I got. Anything not marked NEW already existed int the lineup under the specified channel. This also doesn't include HBOHD, MAXHD, SHOWHD and STARZHD which weren't added to the 800s for some reason:

Channel # | Call Sign | Channel Name (Affiliate) | NEW or existing channel # | Note |
790 | LVWEL | Live Well HD | NEW |
792 | WMFZDT | WFMZ HD | 271 |
799 | WPPXDT | WPPX HD (ION) | 272 |
800 | NJNDT | NJN HD (PBS) | 261 |
801 | HDDM | HD ON DEMAND | 228 | On Demand Channel |
803 | KYWDT | KTW HD (CBS) | 233 |
805 | WTXFDT | WTXF HD (FOX) | 234 |
806 | WPIVDT | WPIV HD (ABC) | 231 |
807 | WPHLDT | WPHL HD (MyTV) | 235 |
808 | QVCHD | QVC HD | NEW |
810 | WCUADT | WCAU HD (NBC) | 232 |
811 | WPSGDT | WPSG HD (CW) | 236 |
812 | WHYYD | WHYY HD (PBS) | 240 |
815 | TWCHD | The Weather Channel HD | NEW |
816 | HLNHD | CNN Headline News HD | NEW |
817 | CNNHD | CNN HD | 221 |
818 | MSNBCHD | MSNBC HD | NEW |
819 | CNBCHD | CNBC HD | NEW |
820 | FNCHD | Fox News Channel HD | NEW |
821 | FBNHD | Fox Business News HD | NEW |
822 | UHD | Universal HD | 208 |
823 | USAHD | USA HD | 222 |
824 | FXHD | FX HD | NEW |
825 | TNTHD | TNT HD | 204 |
826 | TBSHD | TBS HD | 220 |
827 | SPIKEHD | Spike HD | NEW |
828 | COMEDYHD | Comedy Central HD | NEW |
829 | SYFYHD | SyFy HD | 226 |
830 | WGNAMERHD | WGN America HD | NEW |
831 | A&EHD | A&E HD | 211 |
832 | BRAVOHD | Bravo HD | NEW |
833 | E!HD | E! Entertainment HD | NEW |
835 | LIFEHD | Lifetime HD | NEW |
837 | TLCHD | The Learning Channel HD | 225 |
838 | HGTVHD | HGTV HD | 213 |
839 | FOODHD | Food Network HD | 216 |
840 | TRAVHD | Travel Channel HD | NEW |
841 | TRUEHD | TrueTV HD | NEW |
847 | CSNPHHD | Comcast SportsNet Philly HD | 200 |
848 | VSHD | Versus HD | 206 |
849 | GOLFHD | Golf HD | 207 |
850 | ESPNHD | ESPN HD | 202 |
851 | ESPN2HD | ESPN2 HD | 203 |
852 | ESPNEWWHD | ESPN News HD | NEW |
853 | ESPNU | ESPNU HD | NEW |
854 | CBSCSHD | CBS College Sports HD | NEW |
855 | BIGTENHD | Big Ten Network HD | NEW |
856 | TCNHD | Comcast Network Philly HD | 201 | 201 not in Tribune's channel Lineup |
857 | SPEEDHD | Speed HD | NEW |
858 | NHLHD | NHL Network HD | NEW |
859 | MLBHD | Major League Baseball HD | 191 |
860 | NFLHD | NFL Network HD | 218 |
861 | NFLRD | NFL Redzone HD | 274 |
862 | TENNISHD | Tennis HD | NEW |
863 | NBAHD | NBA HD | NEW |
866 | BETHD | Black Entertainent TV HD | NEW |
868 | APLHD | Animal Planet HD | 230 |
869 | DSCHD | Discovery Channel HD | 224 |
870 | HDT | HD Theater | 205 |
871 | NGCHD | National Geographic HD | 210 |
872 | SCIHD | Science Channel HD | 191 |
873 | GRNHD | Planet Green HD | NEW |
874 | BIOHD | A&E Biography HD | NEW |
875 | HISTHD | History Channel HD | 217 |
877 | DXDHD | Disney XD HD | NEW |
878 | TOONHD | Cartoon Network HD | NEW |
879 | NICKHD | Nickelodeon HD | NEW |
880 | DISNHD | Disney Channel HD | 239 |
881 | ABCFHD | ABC Family HD | 195 |
883 | CMTHD | Country Music TV HD | NEW |
884 | MTVHD | Music Television HD | NEW |
886 | VH1HD | VH1 HD | NEW |
889 | AMCHD | American Movie Classics HD | 185 |
890 | TCMHD | Turner Classic Movies HD | NEW |
891 | ENCOREHD | Encore East HD | NEW |
892 | MGMHD | MGM HD | NEW |
894 | HALMRKHD | Hallmark Movie Channel HD | NEW |
895 | LIFEMVHD | Lifetime Movie East HD | NEW |

That puts the total number of HD channels (including the 4 original premiums) to 82. Not bad, not bad at all. :)

Now if only Comcast would tell Tribune about the change. :mad:

Boy I am missing out big time being on the garden state system.:mad:

If I were you I'd check again. I accidentally found these channels just today and I'm in NJ. Was looking for when the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special was being aired and noticed two HD channels, one in the 800's. Went to take a look down there and struck gold with all those channels. I had NO CLUE they were there until 5 minutes ago , literally. Comcast can bombast you with messages about PPV events but seem dumbfounded to tell you about a buttload of HD channels they just added.

Ken H

11-26-09, 01:25 AM

Anyways, quick comcast question:

Has comcast finally gotten new Digital HD Boxes with HDMI?

Or are the DVR boxes still the only ones that support it?

Most all their HD boxes have HDMI, a few older ones have DVI, which is the same for HD video.

Daniel Murray

11-26-09, 09:57 AM

If I were you I'd check again. I accidentally found these channels just today and I'm in NJ. Was looking for when the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special was being aired and noticed two HD channels, one in the 800's. Went to take a look down there and struck gold with all those channels. I had NO CLUE they were there until 5 minutes ago , literally. Comcast can bombast you with messages about PPV events but seem dumbfounded to tell you about a buttload of HD channels they just added.

Still no good on the Garden State System. This is getting old:mad:
I have bin doing some research on D*TV on where they would put a dish on my house. Because the company who put the new roof and new siding on wants to be there for to make sure they in stall it right. So I can keep my warranty on the roof and siding.
I told my Wife I will give Comcast till the end of the year. If no HD Upgrades come by then I am switching! I pay more for Comcast and I get less than I would with D*TV.

totalownership

11-26-09, 03:16 PM

Still no good on the Garden State System. This is getting old:mad:
I have bin doing some research on D*TV on where they would put a dish on my house. Because the company who put the new roof and new siding on wants to be there for to make sure they in stall it right. So I can keep my warranty on the roof and siding.
I told my Wife I will give Comcast till the end of the year. If no HD Upgrades come by then I am switching! I pay more for Comcast and I get less than I would with D*TV.
I don't get it. Don't know why you're getting jerked around like this. I'm in NJ like you (near Newark) and they have them here.

Daniel Murray

11-26-09, 08:35 PM

Yes I was told back in the summer time that they have no plans in upgrading our system any time soon. It will be about two years till they start. I was told we have the oldest system that Comcast has and the most Problem pron system. that is why we will be last for upgrades. I was all so told that the Garden State system can take up to 4 years to upgrade.
Now How true that is is the $1,000,000 question. But that came from Service manger that was out at my house. He all so told me they can not fix my problem until they upgrade my area.

Morac

11-26-09, 11:42 PM

If I were you I'd check again. I accidentally found these channels just today and I'm in NJ. Was looking for when the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special was being aired and noticed two HD channels, one in the 800's. Went to take a look down there and struck gold with all those channels. I had NO CLUE they were there until 5 minutes ago , literally. Comcast can bombast you with messages about PPV events but seem dumbfounded to tell you about a buttload of HD channels they just added.

The really strange thing is that Comcast has a web site announcing the changes, but never bothers to send the link to anyone. I got the links from someone over on another message board.

http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Burlington/
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/gloucester/
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Bensalem/
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/northwest/

There's supposed to be one for each area that's upgrading, but I have no idea how anyone is supposed to know what they are since Comcast doesn't seem to interested in getting the links out.

As for why Garden State hasn't upgraded, it's apparently because Comcast hasn't done testing of DTAs in the Cisco/SA areas so they can't dump the analog channels there. My co-worker in the Garden State system told me that they did add a number of HD channels recently so there should be around 41 now.

Satcom15

11-27-09, 09:44 AM

The really strange thing is that Comcast has a web site announcing the changes, but never bothers to send the link to anyone. I got the links from someone over on another message board.

http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Burlington/
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/gloucester/
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/Bensalem/
http://www.comcastworldofmore.com/northwest/

There's supposed to be one for each area that's upgrading, but I have no idea how anyone is supposed to know what they are since Comcast doesn't seem to interested in getting the links out.

As for why Garden State hasn't upgraded, it's apparently because Comcast hasn't done testing of DTAs in the Cisco/SA areas so they can't dump the analog channels there. My co-worker in the Garden State system told me that they did add a number of HD channels recently so there should be around 41 now.

You wouldn't know what the extension is for Colorado Springs area would you (if it exists)? I've not heard a peep about upgrades here. No flyers, no nothing. Makes me think its somewhere down the road. Maybe next year.

snash22

11-27-09, 10:07 AM

You wouldn't know what the extension is for Colorado Springs area would you (if it exists)? I've not heard a peep about upgrades here. No flyers, no nothing. Makes me think its somewhere down the road. Maybe next year.

No, but I tried some google searching. I don't know much about google hacking but this brings up a bunch from NJ.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&q=site:comcastworldofmore.com&start=10&sa=N

I don't know why it doesn't show all comcastworldofmore results. Maybe someone can figure out how to modify to be a complete list.

Satcom15

11-27-09, 12:11 PM

No, but I tried some google searching. I don't know much about google hacking but this brings up a bunch from NJ.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&q=site:comcastworldofmore.com&start=10&sa=N

I don't know why it doesn't show all comcastworldofmore results. Maybe someone can figure out how to modify to be a complete list.

I wonder if its just a New Jersey thing. I tried fooling aroung with the hyperlinks putting in other cities with Comcast and they all came back with "This page cannot be found" errors. Hmmmm. Any thoughts from the community? Is there anyway to find out what the roll out schedule is for Project Cavalry/World of More beyond the NJ area? They sure are keeping it close to the chest. Probably some marketing suit thinks its a smart move - hold off trumpeting an announcement until most of the network is upgraded thinking it will help them market over satellite providers.

Cheers

Marcus Carr

11-27-09, 12:59 PM

Michigan Channel Updates:

http://www.comcast.com/michigan/default.html

Marcus Carr

12-01-09, 04:59 PM

Augusta first community in Comcast to go all digital

By LaTina Emerson | Staff Writer
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 3:34 p.m.

Comcast is going all digital in the Augusta market, becoming the first city in the nation for the company to make the switch.

The cable, telephone and Internet provider will send out letters on Wednesday to customers who are still receiving analog service through limited basic cable. The changes will be made free of charge, said Abu Khan, the vice president and general manager of Comcast in Augusta.

“We’re taking our very few subscribers that are limited basic and giving them the digital picture quality as well. Augusta’s been really receptive to the new services that we’ve been launching. We can deliver more to our subscribers, and we feel that they’ll enjoy it,” Mr. Khan said today.

The company is making the transition because so few customers in Augusta have limited basic cable, which is less than 5 percent.

These customers must connect their televisions to digital transport adapters, which they can pick up or have sent to their home. They will receive three boxes at no cost, he said.

Customers can receive assistance connecting the adapters for a small fee, but they are designed for easy installation, said Tina Baggott, the director of marketing.

Mr. Khan expects the transition to be completed by Feb. 1. Subscribers will be able to access nine additional channels that were added after the digital transition, at no additional cost.

In addition, Comcast plans to add more HD channels and improve its high-speed Internet service, which is a continuation of its World of More campaign.

“One of our goals is to add some more HD content in the first quarter of next year, as well as adding 100 Mbps for business customers,” he said.

In September, Comcast announced plans to add 44 HD channels and double Internet speed for nearly two-thirds of its high-speed customers.

Comcast plans to reach 100 total HD channels early next year. It already has 82 channels. The channels are being determined based on customer demand, Mr. Khan said.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_703691.shtml?v=1534

SoundsGood

12-01-09, 05:04 PM

Lucky Augusta. We can't even get extra HD channels here.

keenan

12-01-09, 05:12 PM

Augusta first community in Comcast to go all digital

Although it doesn't say in the article, I'm guessing that the Limited Basic digital lineup remains unencrypted.

QZ1

12-01-09, 05:38 PM

There has been no talk of them applying for a waiver to do otherwise, so I am fairly certain it will remain in the clear.

Marcus Carr

12-01-09, 07:23 PM

Comcast Homes In On NBCU

Announcement Could Be Thursday

Mike Farrell -- Multichannel News, 12/1/2009 4:47:48 PM

Comcast and General Electric Co. are nearing the finish line regarding their joint venture with GE's NBC Universal, and the two sides hope to make an announcement Thursday morning, according to sources familiar with the deal, confirming an earlier report by CNBC.

"It's pretty much done," said an executive familiar with the negotiations.
According to several reports Tuesday morning, GE cleared the biggest hurdle to the deal - agreeing with French conglomerate Vivendi S.A. on a price for its 20% stake in NBCU. Vivendi agreed on a $5.8 billion price tag for its stake and a $2 billion payout if the deal is not closed by the end of 2010.
CNBC said late Tuesday that both sides were waiting for Vivendi to sign their agreement to sell their 20% interest to GE.

According to sources familiar with the transaction, the deal terms won't deviate much from what has already been in the media for months -- Comcast would contribute about $6 billion in cash, $9 billion in debt and contribute its cable networks (E!, Style, the Golf Channel, Versus, several regional sports channels and G4) to a joint venture including NBCU's assets. Comcast would control 51% of the JV, with GE getting the remaining 49%. Comcast would have the option of buying out the GE interest after seven years. The joint venture has been valued at about $30 billion by both parties.

The deal would create a powerhouse of content and distribution, with the NBC broadcast network, cable channels USA Networks, Bravo, Syfy, CNBC, and Telemundo and the Universal Pictures movie studio, joining forces with Comcast's cable properties and its 24 million cable subscribers.

While the deal has taken months to reach this point, the real waiting could just be beginning. Analysts expect the deal to take as much as a year to pass regulatory muster.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/391306-Comcast_Homes_In_On_NBCU.php

p1rates

12-02-09, 08:35 AM

Are there any South Florida Comcast customers in this thread? I've had Comcast for a couple years or so. My issue is that our HD selection isn't much to rave about. The customer service down here is pretty atrocious. The issue is that Comcast is the only cable provider in my area and I live in Broward. AT&T U-verse is now available in a city near me (Coral Springs) but not in the actual city that I live in.

I'm getting pretty anxious because I see other Comcast customers are getting more HD channels and we don't have much variety. I'm happy with the quality of the HD channels that I do have. I just wish I had more of a selection. I don't even bother trying to speak with customer service reps though. Comcast agents are very nasty and I've had several bad experiences like losing internet, television and phone service for up to 4 days straight.

I'm new to this board and I'm glad there's a Comcast thread. I'll be checking here more often. :)

Doom878

12-02-09, 08:49 AM

Ex-Comcast that happily switched to DirecTV and not looking back. You might not like the picture quality of U-Verse. I've heard some complain about it. I agree about the reps. Check out the south FL thread for more info.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=43823&page=219

It looks like Davie got upgraded.

SoundsGood

12-02-09, 08:51 AM

our HD selection isn't much to rave about.
True.

The customer service down here is pretty atrocious.
True.

other Comcast customers are getting more HD channels and we don't have much variety.
True.

Comcast agents are very nasty...
True.

I'm getting tired of waiting for more HD channels in our area. And I absolutely hate Comcast customer service.

BDCat

12-02-09, 11:23 AM

p1rates

12-02-09, 02:49 PM

Thanks BDCat, SoundsGood, and Doom878 for all the help. I bookmarked that South Florida thread. I'm hoping to see some upgrade in the next couple of months. I'm pretty jealous of the customers in Davie. lol

I love the selection of HBO channels in HD. Looks very promising!

Marcus Carr

12-03-09, 08:19 AM

Comcast and GE to Create Leading Entertainment Company

Positions Comcast and NBCU to Lead the Next Phase of Media Industry’s Evolution

Builds on Diverse Cable Portfolio, Accelerates Digital Offerings and Expands Customer Choice

Entity Will Deliver Strong Cash Flow With Conservative Capital Structure

NBCU Businesses Valued at $30 Billion, Comcast to Contribute Businesses Valued at $7.25 Billion

Comcast To Own 51%, GE 49% Interest in NBCU

Jeff Zucker to Lead New York-based Venture

Philadelphia, PA and Fairfield, CT - December 3, 2009

Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) and General Electric (NYSE: GE) announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture that will be 51 percent owned by Comcast, 49 percent owned by GE and managed by Comcast. The joint venture, which will consist of the NBC Universal (NBCU) businesses and Comcast’s cable networks, regional sports networks and certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments, will be well positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic and competitive media and digital environment.

The combination of assets creates a leading media and entertainment company with the proven capability to provide some of the world’s most popular entertainment, news and sports content, movies and film libraries to consumers anytime, anywhere. The joint venture will provide consumers the broadest possible access to content, and support high-quality, award-winning content development across all platforms including film, television, and online. It will be anchored by an outstanding portfolio of cable networks and regional sports networks that will account for about 80 percent of its cash flow, including USA, Bravo, Syfy, E!, Versus, CNBC and MSNBC. The joint venture will be financially strong with a robust cash-flow-generation capability.

Under the terms of the transaction, GE will contribute to the joint venture NBCU’s businesses valued at $30 billion, including its cable networks, filmed entertainment, televised entertainment, theme parks, and unconsolidated investments, subject to $9.1 billion in debt to third party lenders. Comcast will contribute its cable networks including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel, its ten regional sports networks, and certain digital media properties, collectively valued at $7.25 billion, and make a payment to GE of approximately $6.5 billion of cash subject to certain adjustments based on various events between signing and closing.

Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said, “This deal is a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform ‘anytime, anywhere’ media that American consumers are demanding. In particular, NBCU’s fast-growing, highly profitable cable networks are a great complement to our industry-leading distribution business. Today’s announced transaction will increase our capabilities in content and cable networks. At the same time, it will enhance consumer choice and accelerate the development of new digital products and services. GE has provided NBCU with a great home and has dramatically and positively transformed the business. We are honored that under this agreement Comcast would take over the stewardship of this important collection of assets and are absolutely committed to investing in NBCU and ensuring that it is a vibrant, financially strong company able to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace by delivering innovative programming. We are particularly pleased to be creating this new joint venture with GE and Jeff Immelt and to have their continued involvement.

“For Comcast, this transaction is strategically compelling and will generate attractive financial returns and build shareholder value,” continued Roberts. “It is also expected to be immediately accretive and will also allow us to maintain our strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders—all while increasing the scale, capabilities and value of our cable distribution, content and digital assets. Significantly, it is entirely consistent with our intense focus on value creation and our disciplined strategy of pursuing profitable growth in areas complementary to our distribution business.”

GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said, “The combination of Comcast’s cable and regional sports networks and digital media properties and NBCU will deliver strong returns for GE shareholders and business partners. NBCU has been a great business for GE over the past two decades. We have generated an average annual return of 11 percent, while expanding into cable, movies, parks and international media. We are reducing our ownership stake from 80 percent to 49 percent of a more valuable entity. By doing so, GE gets a good value for NBCU. This transaction will generate approximately $8 billion of cash at closing with an expected small after-tax gain. We have many opportunities to invest in our high-technology infrastructure businesses at attractive returns. I believe that the new NBCU will deliver value for both Comcast and GE in the future. We will give consumers and advertisers more choice and our cable and digital assets will be second to none. I am confident Brian Roberts and his team at Comcast will be great partners.”

Comcast also announced the creation of Comcast Entertainment Group (CEG), which will house Comcast’s interest in the joint venture and will stand alongside Comcast Cable, which operates the company’s traditional cable business.

Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke said, "Both Comcast and NBCU have excellent track records of integrating and growing multi-billion dollar businesses, including significant content acquisitions. In addition, we have both developed some of the country’s most popular programming and built many of the most watched and valued networks in the industry. We are confident that we’ll be even stronger together, and look forward to working with Jeff Zucker and the NBCU team to deliver the best consumer experience.”

Jeff Zucker, current president and CEO of NBCU, will be CEO of the new joint venture and will report to Burke. Zucker said, “Combining the assets of NBCU, ranging from our suite of cable properties and two broadcast networks to a legendary film studio and global theme park business, with the content assets and resources of Comcast, will enable us to continue to thrive in an ever-changing media landscape. Consumers of all of our products—on screens large and small—will have the benefit of enhanced content and experiences, delivered to them in new and better ways as a result of this transaction. This marks the start of a new era for NBCU, and I'm genuinely excited that I will be leading this wonderful organization, along with the Comcast team, at this important time in our history.”

Headquarters for the business will remain in New York. The joint venture board will have three directors nominated by Comcast and two nominated by GE.

Key Elements Of The Transaction:

NBCU will borrow approximately $9.1 billion from third-party lenders and distribute the cash to GE.
NBCU, valued at $30 billion, will be contributed to the newly formed joint venture. Comcast will contribute its programming businesses and certain other properties valued at $7.25 billion.
GE will acquire Vivendi's 20% interest in NBCU for $5.8 billion. GE will purchase approximately 38% of Vivendi’s interest (or approximately 7.66% of all outstanding NBCU shares) from Vivendi for $2 billion in September 2010, if the Comcast transaction is not closed by then. GE will acquire the remaining 62% of Vivendi’s interest (or approximately 12.34% of all outstanding NBCU shares) for $3.8 billion when the transaction closes.
Comcast will make a payment to GE of approximately $6.5 billion in cash subject to certain adjustments based on various events between signing and closing.
The new venture will be 51% owned by Comcast and 49% owned by GE.
GE expects to realize $9.8 billion pre-tax in cash before debt reduction and transaction fees and after buyout of the Vivendi stake. GE expects to realize approximately $8 billion in cash after paying down the existing NBCU debt and transaction fees.
GE will be entitled to elect to cause the joint venture to redeem one-half of its interest at year 3 ½ and its remaining interest at year 7. The joint venture’s obligations to complete those purchases will be subject to the venture’s leverage ratio not exceeding 2.75X EBITDA and the venture continuing to hold investment-grade ratings. Comcast also has certain rights to purchase GE’s interest in the venture at specified times. All such transactions would be done at a 20% premium to public market value with 50% sharing of upside above the closing valuation.
To the extent the joint venture is not required to meet GE’s redemption requests, Comcast will provide a backstop up to a maximum of $2.875 billion for the first redemption and a total backstop of $5.750 billion.
The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of GE and Comcast. It is subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and approvals of the Federal Communications Commission and certain international agencies. The transaction is also subject to other customary closing conditions. NBCU has obtained $9.85 billion of committed financing through a consortium of banks led by J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, BofA Merrill Lynch and Citi. This financing is expected to receive solid investment-grade ratings from S&P and Moody’s.

Comcast and GE intend to submit regulatory applications supporting the pro-competitive and strong public interest benefits of the transaction, including how the joint venture will better meet the entertainment, communications and information needs of the American public.

“We are prepared to make affirmative commitments to ensure that the pro-consumer and public interest benefits of the transaction are realized,” Roberts said. “Today, we have announced a number of initial commitments that expand on the capabilities that Comcast and NBCU have built over the years, and the new opportunities that this combination makes possible. These commitments address the needs of various audiences and stakeholders, and we will provide additional details on these and other commitments in our public interest filing with the Federal Communications Commission.”

Advisors
Morgan Stanley is lead financial advisor to Comcast with UBS and BofA Merrill Lynch acting as co-advisors. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is Comcast’s legal advisor. J.P. Morgan is lead financial advisor to GE with Goldman Sachs and Citi acting as co-advisors. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is GE’s and NBCU’s legal advisor.

Teleconference and Webcast
Comcast will host a conference call with the financial community today, December 3, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) to discuss this morning’s announcement with Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts, Comcast Chief Operating Officer Stephen B. Burke and Comcast Chief Financial Officer, Michael J. Angelakis. The conference call will be broadcast live via the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com or www.cmcsk.com. Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (800) 263- 8495 with the conference ID number 44380493. A telephone replay of the call will be available on the Investor Relations website starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on December 3, 2009 and will be available until December 8, 2009 at midnight Eastern Time. To access the rebroadcast, please dial (800) 642-1687 conference ID 44380493.

GE will also host a webcast with the financial community today, December 3, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 7:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss this morning’s announcement with GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt, GE Chief Financial Officer Keith Sherin and NBCU President and CEO Jeff Zucker. The webcast will be available at www.ge.com/investors. A replay will be available later in the day on the site.

Additional media materials are available at www.ge.com/newnbcu, www.comcast.com/nbcutransaction and https://www.nbcumv.com/mv/.

The description of this transaction included in this press release is qualified in its entirety by, and is subject to, the terms of the definitive documentation for the transaction to be filed by Comcast with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a Current Report on Form 8-K.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.8 million cable customers, 15.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.4 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

About NBC Universal
NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

Combined Assets/Properties
The assets and properties owned or controlled by the new joint venture will include some of the best known brands in the entertainment industry, including:

Several of television’s most successful cable networks, including USA, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, Syfy, E!, Style, Versus and the Golf Channel;
One of the nation's largest television groups, including:
The NBC Television Network;
Local broadcast TV stations in ten top U.S. markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia;
The national Telemundo Network and 16 Telemundo O&O stations in locations such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago and Dallas/Ft.Worth;
Preeminent television production operations that produce Emmy Award winning programs like The Office, 30 Rock, Law & Order, Heroes, Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show, as well as syndicate operations through NBC Universal Domestic and International Distribution and a 3,000-title library of television episodes;
NBC News, the leading source of global news and information in the United States with top-rated programs such as Nightly News with Brian Williams, Today and Meet the Press;
A robust sports programming lineup featuring the Olympics (through 2012), NBC Sunday Night Football, NHL/Stanley Cup, PGA Tour, US Open, Ryder Cup, Wimbledon and the Kentucky Derby, Versus, Golf Channel and Comcast’s 10 regional sports networks;
Universal Pictures, which has produced Academy Award winners Atonement, The Bourne Ultimatum, Brokeback Mountain, Ray and A Beautiful Mind, Focus Features, which recently produced Away We Go, and an extensive movie library with more than 4,000 titles through Universal Studios Home Entertainment;
Fast growing digital media properties including CNBC.com, iVillage, NBC.com, Fandango, and Daily Candy, which together generate more than 40 million unique users each month;
Ownership of theme parks in Florida (50% interest), California (100% interest) and a financial interest in a theme park in Japan;
A minority interest in A&E, Biography, The History Channel, The Weather Channel, Lifetime and Hulu.com.

http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=938

Marcus Carr

12-03-09, 08:30 AM

Comcast, G.E. Announce Deal on NBCU

NBCU chief Jeff Zucker to lead new joint venture, reporting to Comcast COO Steve Burke

By B&C Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/3/2009 6:25:05 AM

With the formal announcement Dec. 3 that Comcast has taken a controlling 51% stake in NBC Universal in a new joint venture with General Electric, the regional cable systems operator emerged as a media powerhouse with an enviable range of assets in distribution and content not just in the U.S. but around the globe.

The deal will literally change the way people watch TV since Comcast is pushing forward with interactive viewing on traditional TV sets and now has a much bigger hand in how online video is consumed.

As expected, NBC Universal President/CEO Jeff Zucker will lead the new joint venture as CEO, reporting to Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke.
Comcast also announced the formation of Comcast Entertainment Group, which will house Comcast's interest in the joint venture apart from the company's cable business.

The rationale of today's deal to partner with G.E. for NBC Universal is primarily about cable channel content. Cable is one part of the media business that has proved largely recession-proof due its dual-revenue stream of advertising and fees paid to owners by distributors.

Speaking on CNBC this morning Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said, "Cable programming channels are the best part of the media business...82 % of the new NBCU will be cable programming channels.... This gives us scale in programming."

Discussing the company name, NBC Universal, Roberts pointed out it was the other parts of the company that had driven growth, rather than NBC or Universal. Roberts, however, stressed that the new partners would find ways to grow the broadcast business, too, pointing to Burke's credentials in broadcast media.

The press release announcing the deal details the unusual lengths to which the new combined entity will go to satisfy Washington D.C. regulators. The commitments include continuing free over-the-air television through NBC and Telemundo; extending a commitment that NBC's news outlets and public affairs shows stay free from interference from by the new owners; the preservation of local news and an expanded commitment to children's programming and diversity of programming.

The release said 75% of the firm's video-on-demand output will be without charge and that the company will extend key components of program access rules to negotiations on retransmission consent. The partners have also committed to carrying new independently-owned channels on Comcast's digital line-up, and will honor all of NBCU's collective bargaining agreements.

Within minutes of Comcast's announcement, another statement arrived from interest group Free Press, which wants to scuttle the deal. The group believes the deal raises serious anti-trust issues.

"The pundits who are predicting this merger will be a cakewalk haven't done careful analysis of the damage it will do to the competitive fabric of the video marketplace," said Mark Cooper, research director for the Consumer Federation of America. "This merger's potential to foreclose competition and stifle real innovation is significant and real."

Key Elements Of The Transaction:

NBCU will borrow approximately $9.1 billion from third-party lenders and distribute the cash to GE.

NBCU, valued at $30 billion, will be contributed to the newly formed joint venture. Comcast will contribute its programming businesses and certain other properties valued at $7.25 billion.

GE will acquire Vivendi's 20% interest in NBCU for $5.8 billion. GE will purchase approximately 38% of Vivendi's interest (or approximately 7.66% of all outstanding NBCU shares) from Vivendi for $2 billion in September 2010, if the Comcast transaction is not closed by then. GE will acquire the remaining 62% of Vivendi's interest (or approximately 12.34% of all outstanding NBCU shares) for $3.8 billion when the transaction closes.

Comcast will make a payment to GE of approximately $6.5 billion in cash subject to certain adjustments based on various events between signing and closing.

The new venture will be 51% owned by Comcast and 49% owned by GE.
GE expects to realize $9.8 billion pre-tax in cash before debt reduction and transaction fees and after buyout of the Vivendi stake. GE expects to realize approximately $8 billion in cash after paying down the existing NBCU debt and transaction fees.

GE will be entitled to elect to cause the joint venture to redeem one-half of its interest at year 3 Ã‚Â½ and its remaining interest at year 7. The joint venture's obligations to complete those purchases will be subject to the venture's leverage ratio not exceeding 2.75X EBITDA and the venture continuing to hold investment-grade ratings. Comcast also has certain rights to purchase GE's interest in the venture at specified times. All such transactions would be done at a 20% premium to public market value with 50% sharing of upside above the closing valuation.

To the extent the joint venture is not required to meet GE's redemption requests, Comcast will provide a backstop up to a maximum of $2.875 billion for the first redemption and a total backstop of $5.750 billion.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/406948-Comcast_G_E_Announce_Deal_on_NBCU.php

Marcus Carr

12-03-09, 08:33 AM

Comcast-NBCU Will Face Opposition In DC

John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 12/3/2009 7:57:03 AM

The NBCU-Comcast joint venture will face plenty of opposition in Washington, including from Free Press, Consumer Federation of America, unions worried about job losses, and from potentiail competitors including smaller and midsized cable operators concerned about competing with a 1,600 -pound gorilla.

It will be the first media merger to come under scrutiny by the new Democratic majority of the FCC, a Federal Trade Commission under Democratic management, and a Justice Department with a charter from the Obama administration for more muscular merger reviews.

Look for Congressional hearings, as well with the House and Senate Commerce committees headed by veteran media critics Senator Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.)

The FCC has a self-imposed 180-day shot clock on merger reviews, but that is only a target, not a deadline. It could stretch beyond that, particularly if the FCC is planning any media ownership rule modifications--as part of its quadrennial review--that could implicate the deal.

Free Press had a paper ready for release when the deal was officially announced counting the ways in which the deal was not in the public interest. Not surprising, since it already has a Web campaign to block the deal (http://www.freepress.net/comcast).

Those included that the deal would 1) "eliminate the hard bargaining for distribution and content" between the two formerly separate companies 2) lead to "anticompetitive rates for competitors; 3) increase the costs to consumers; 4) reduce media ownership diversity; 5) decrease competition in emerging online video; 6) and trigger further consolidation to keep pace.

It did not include baseball style arbitration for retrans deals, but that is because it doesn't want the resulting company to own any TV stations.

While Free Press has indicated it no conditions are sufficient for a green light for the deal, the paper it released, co-authored by Consumer Federation Of America Resaerch Director Mark Cooper and Free Press policy Counsel Corie Wright, did offer suggested conditions if teh government concludes such conditions could "repair the competitive harms."

Those include requiring divestiture of NBC's owned TV stations, as well as requiring nondiscrimination in carriage of unaffiliated programming on Comcast-owned cable systems, unbundling of Comcast/NBC content to unaffiliated distributors (likely a nonstarter with Comcast/NBCU), and similar access conditions on Internet content.

Combining the cable and studio assets of the two companies is already a red flag to Free Press and other consolidation foes, but online video and targetted marketing are new wrinkles
in what is the first big media merger where regulators may be looking at its impact on that space as well, certainly if public interest groups have their way.

Just this week, Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy told B&C he was contacting the Hill and regulators to make sure they included online data collection and targeted marketing as part of their merger review.

He has long argued that given the move of audience, and increasingly video, to the Web, that is the next big battle ground for media consolidation.

Calling it "the most important media merger since Lucy met Desi," Media Access Project President Andrew Schwartzman this week said his group will oppose the merger.

"No entity should have control over such a large audience," he said earlier this week following news that GE and Vivendi had come to an agreement on the purchase of Vivendi's stake in the company that would pave the way for that merger.

Shwartzman said that he was particularly concerned about the effects of the merger on distribution of online video.

Not long after rumors of the deal surfaced last month, Free Press, the Communications Workers of America, and the Consumer Federation, signaled they have major concerns.

They argue that the combination of the nation's top cable operator, Comcast, and NBC Universal, with its broadcast, cable, studio and online assets, threatens competition, innovation, labor rights, and the public interest.
Comcast is a big target, particularly for online concerns, given its high-profile FCC smackdown over managing/blocking ********** file sharing and its online marketing efforts. As the biggest cable operator in the country, it is also a sizeable target for consolidation foes already.

Free Press suggested that there was no combination of voluntary or government mandated conditions that would convince it not to oppose the deal.

The media activists have been weighing in loudly and often against the proposed deal, partly as a reaction to analyst's early handicapping that it would probably successfully run the regulatory gauntlet

Analysts at investment firm Stifel Nicolaus have said they expect a Comcast/General Electric jointly owned NBC Universal to pass government muster in Washington. They argue that while they expect Justice to be "more open" to concerns about verticle integration--owning both the content and the distribution system, it would be tough
to establish that the combo would be sufficiently anticompetitive" to warrant blocking the deal.

They suggested baseball-style arbitration for disputes over regional sport nets, collective bargaining for small cable operators and program access guarantees as likely precedent for those conditions.

They also pointed to the rise of AT&T and Verizon as video competitors who would likely push hard for conditions, as well as online video interests like Hulu, in which NBCU has a stake, as factors that would complicate the analysis. "However, in the end, we believe the deal is likely to be approved," they said.

Others weren't so sure. One cable exec predicted there would be an alliance of broadcasters, smaller cable operators and public interest groups massed against it.

Matt Polka, president of the American Cable Association, which represents about 900 smaller and midsized cable operators signaled as much this week. In an interview with Multichannel News on the eve of the announcement, Polka said ACA has "a lot of concerns" about the deal. "We have significant concerns about the ability of our members to access programmingand the rates they would have to pay." He says sports is a significant concern about the consolidation of Comcast's regional sports networks and NBC sports programming as a new and powerful competitior for ESPN. That, he said, could create a feeding frenzy in the marketplace with skyrocketing sports rights, "ultimately ending up in the consumers' lap and on their bill."

"I am sure that we will be working with other industry and consumer groups suggesting quite aggressively the harms to consumers that will result from this," he said. Polka said ACA's view of this deal is similar to its reaction to the meld of News Corp. and DirecTV, which combined Fox TV stations with the satellite operator. "You have essentially what is the harmful consolidation of network programming, cable programming, owned and operated broadcast stations, affiliates, that can be combined in anticompetitive ways."

The FCC imposed conditions on DirecTV/News Corp. because of the "disproportionate leverage" that could be concerted by the combined companies, said Polka. "If that was the case in DirecTV News Corp., it's off the chart with Comcast/NBCU particularly because of size. The largest cable operator and a major top-three network."

He agrees that the Internet is a new factor since the DirecTV/News Corp. conditions that has to be taken into consideration.

Chester put it bluntly back when the deal began to be more than water cooler buzz. "The DOJ or FTC is going to place Comcast's corporate DNA under an intense antitrust microscope. A Comcast/NBCU deal is the equivalent of Godzilla swallowing Rockefeller Center. Such an unholy marriage between the country's leading cable ISP and multichannel programmer with a broadcast/cable/studio powerhouse will be a political test for the Obama team at the FCC, FTC or DOJ."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/407261-Comcast_NBCU_Will_Face_Opposition_In_DC.php

bicker1

12-03-09, 10:08 AM

Well, of course there will be opposition. That headline (or at least the way some bloggers are choosing to interpret the situation) almost reads like there was someone out there who thought there wouldn't be any opposition. The issue is whether the opposition will scuttle the deal. Practically all experts weighing in come down somewhere between "probably not" and "no way". So the headline should be "... will likely overcome opposition in DC..."

Marcus Carr

12-03-09, 02:05 PM

Comcast/NBCU Won't Create ESPN Rival

But Deal Could Jump-start Interactive Advertising, Programming

Mike Farrell -- Multichannel News, 12/3/2009 1:31:07 PM

Comcast executives said they won't try to turn their Versus cable channel into a rival to ESPN after their joint venture with NBC Universal clears.

Several published reports have speculated that Comcast could offload some NBC Sports content onto Versus, which currently offers sports programming like the Tour de France, National Hockey League Games and bull riding. The idea would be that with NBC sports programming like the Olympic Games and National Football League contests, the cable giant could turn Versus into a rival for ESPN.

On a conference call with reporters, Comcast chief operating officer Steve Burke said that while NBC Sports could provide some help to current Comcast networks like Versus and the Golf Channel, there is no intention to go head-to-head against ESPN.

"The idea we would take on ESPN is overly simplistic," Burke said on the call. "We have a great set of sports businesses. A tremendous advantage here is that NBC Sports and [NBC Sports and Olympics chairman] Dick Ebersol have such a wonderful track record of creating great programming that they could only add to what Versus and Golf [Channel] and Comcast Sports Nets are doing. We now have the ability to take all of these assets and take them to a different level."

Burke said the opportunities are not limited to sports programming, adding that Comcast's own interactive advertising initiatives with the Canoe consortium could be spread across NBCU properties.

"Sports is only one area," Burke said. "This company's ability to reach target markets like women, or people interested in entertainment or news is really unparalleled. We've got lots of ideas and sports is one of them, and we have lots of time before the deal gets approved to think about those ideas and then lots of time to execute in the future."

That lag time - many analysts expect it to take at least one year for the deal to pass regulatory muster - could be the main reason Comcast has been reticent to reveal its ultimate plans for NBCU. In the interim between the deal's announcement and official regulator approval, Comcast has to leave management of the business to NBCU.

On the conference call, NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker, who will become CEO of the joint venture, said that while integration teams will be created to ease the transition, the official handoff won't be until next year.

While Comcast has come under some criticism for the deal - many observers pointed to Time Warner's failed vertical integration strategy as a prime example - Burke and chairman and CEO Brian Roberts defended the deal.
Roberts dismissed the comparisons to Time Warner, adding that the spin off of Time Warner Cable in March, is "not relevant to what we are doing here today."

"We have a cable programming business that was subscale," Roberts said. By combining it with NBC Universal, we achieve scale."

Burke said that time will tell whether the strategy is successful.
"You prove it as you go and you have to manage it," Burke said, pointing to several successfully vertically integrated companies like Disney, News Corp. and even NBCU.

"NBCU is a great case study as to how to make different parts of a company work together. ...There are as many examples of it [vertical integration] working beautifully as there are companies deciding they want to concentrate on one or two businesses."

Perhaps because Comcast has to maintain a safe distance from NBCU operationally during the approval process, cable company executives were reluctant to offer specifics on more controversial issues like online programming availability and retransmission consent.

NBCU is a one-third owner of online content purveyor Hulu, and several reports over the past several months have said the partnership is making moves toward a subscription model. Analysts also have speculated that Hulu could even merge with the cable industry's TV Everywhere concept - making cable content available online only to cable customers - sometime in the future.

Burke said on the call with reporters that so far, NBCU has managed Hulu exactly as the cable company would have - offering mostly broadcast content on Hulu and sparingly offering cable content on their own channels' web sites. That could change after the deal is sealed, however.

"Once the deal is approved, we are going to want NBC Universal to continue to do what needs to be done to maximize its value of its content on the Internet," Burke said, adding that any decision to make Hulu a premium service is not Comcast's decision to make.

"We are not coming into this with any preconceived notions," Burke added. "NBCU is a minority partner of Hulu. We hope they will continue to run Hulu successfully because it is an important asset. For the next year those are their decisions. I actually think TV Everywhere and Hulu are very complimentary. I would anticipate for the foreseeable future there would be a place for both."

Zucker also balked at offering specifics, adding that he whether or not the subscription model makes sense for Hulu something that will be looked at in the months ahead.

Roberts also sidestepped another controversial issue - retransmission consent. As part of the deal, the JV will control about 26 owned and operated television stations. Television stations, and recently even broadcast networks like NBC and ABC, have been extracting cash fees from multichannel video operators for retransmission consent. Roberts was vague on whether that practice will continue.

"The broadcast business has been talking about retransmission consent fees for awhile, value has been getting conveyed for awhile," Roberts said. "Historically that has been creating cable channels for a number of the broadcast companies, [and] NBC is very much included in that. It continues to evolve and will be part of the business as it goes forward and probably a more meaningful part of the business. I think we have an opportunity by being in both businesses to help find constructive solutions to allow the broadcast business to thrive and to grow and to continue to invest in the highest class of programming that it does. And we are still a cable operator that is trying to manage its costs. I think the two are going to work well together."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/409621-Comcast_NBCU_Won_t_Create_ESPN_Rival.php

Ken H

12-03-09, 03:01 PM

New Comcast / NBCU Topic: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1202629

Daniel Murray

12-03-09, 05:57 PM

Doom878

12-04-09, 09:07 AM

I don't remember having that when I had Comcast. Have you tried other HDMI cables?

aindik

12-04-09, 12:29 PM

Anyone in a "World of More" market have an issue where Comcast launches the channels and then doesn't update the channel list (which results in TiVo not knowing the channels exist)?

Daniel Murray

12-04-09, 02:45 PM

I don't remember having that when I had Comcast. Have you tried other HDMI cables?

Yes I have tried 3 sets of HDMI cables. I have a good friend of mine who owns a TH store comming over this weekend to try some things out to see if he can fix it.

Daniel Murray

12-05-09, 07:08 PM

I have a good question on my S/A 8300HD DVR box and my other S/A HD Boxs. when I hook up HDMI I get small white line at the top of the TV when I watch none HD Channels. But HD Channels are not affected. This happens On my Mitsubishi WD-65835, Sony XBR9 and my Toshiba. But if I use component cables I do not get this on any of the sets.
So what up with this?
Thank you for the help.
All Comcast tells me this is normal.

OK my buddy was over today and he looked over my set up and Tried some new HDMI cables and no good. he ran test on my system and on the Cable boxes and said the Problem is with S/A HD Boxes. He Sees this a lot. He all so said it is a software problem that Comcast can fix. So we called Comcast again and they told me was they know of the problem and the Problem has bin there for couple of years. Comcast all so said R&D has not fixed it so they can not help me.:mad:

JasG

12-06-09, 10:47 AM

OK my buddy was over today and he looked over my set up and Tried some new HDMI cables and no good. he ran test on my system and on the Cable boxes and said the Problem is with S/A HD Boxes. He Sees this a lot. He all so said it is a software problem that Comcast can fix. So we called Comcast again and they told me was they know of the problem and the Problem has bin there for couple of years. Comcast all so said R&D has not fixed it so they can not help me.:mad:The white line at the top sounds like the VBI. See if your tv or stb has an 'overscan' adjustment. That is what I use to get rid of the VBI on my projector.

Daniel Murray

12-06-09, 11:13 AM

p1rates

12-07-09, 03:44 AM

OK I think the over scan problem would be with the cable box. Because with my Blu-Ray player, DVD player, VCR, Over the air Antenna, Cable in from the wall with no box and cable box using component cables I do not get it. Only with the cable box using HDMI. I Find it hard it will be all for of my TV.
So is there a way I can fix the 'overscan' adjustment in the cable box.
Thank you,
Daniel

http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1399214~fb82eba9821f5664842e5b513e188056/screenshot.jpg

If you're seeing something similar to this, then it is an overscan problem. What type of television do you have?

If your HDTV is receiving 1080i from the cable box, then it's most likely the problem. Your television is most likely in full pixel display mode. I had the same issue with my Sony XBR but I changed switched my screen preference to normal. See if there's any way to change that on your tv. If not, your best best is to put your cable box in 720p.

Daniel Murray

12-07-09, 07:15 AM

http://www.dslreports.com/r0/download/1399214~fb82eba9821f5664842e5b513e188056/screenshot.jpg

If you're seeing something similar to this, then it is an overscan problem. What type of television do you have?

If your HDTV is receiving 1080i from the cable box, then it's most likely the problem. Your television is most likely in full pixel display mode. I had the same issue with my Sony XBR but I changed switched my screen preference to normal. See if there's any way to change that on your tv. If not, your best best is to put your cable box in 720p.

Mitsubishi WD-65835, Sony XBR9 and my Toshiba
I do not get on component cables from the box. I like to keep my box setup to do pass through.

RCA don

12-07-09, 10:29 AM

My one-year Comcast promotional rate expired on December 1. I called the number given to me by a regular Comcast rep on that date (It turned out to be nothing more or less than the number used to cancel service.). A live rep came on the line immediately and asked why I was cancelling. In so many words, I explained that I was entertaining cable offers that were substantially less than the regular Comcast rate (the truth: I had a WOW cable install scheduled for Dec 4 at 20%/month less than the Comcast regular rate.) She (the Comcast rep) immediately "found a package" that gave me my current cable package at about 25% off regular rate for another six months.

I accepted the offer immediately, confident that I can deal with them with comparable success six months from now. WOW cable, by the way, is a very good cable company, here in SE Michigan(Dearborn Heights) with a good signal and very good telephone representatives. But it simply made good sense to stick with Comcast. I'm beginning year three with my Comcast Moto DVR that's performed perfectly thusfar. It seems as though the HD picture quality has improved to the point where it's in the ballpark with best OTA HD signals. Last month, I also examined and rejected U-verse(substandard-to-poor HD quality) and D*(burdensome 2-year contract and unnecessary hard credit inquiry, in spite of their lower monthly rates).

The moral of this little tale? Comcast may have its failing here and there across the country and its fair share of incompetent customer service reps. Yet it also delivers its fair share of positive customer experiences. So be careful what you switch for.

p1rates

12-07-09, 03:36 PM

Mitsubishi WD-65835, Sony XBR9 and my Toshiba
I do not get on component cables from the box. I like to keep my box setup to do pass through.

I'm not sure how to fix it on your Mitsubishi WD-65835 or Toshiba but I do have the Sony XBR9.

Click Home on your remote control. Go to preferences. Click on Screen. Look at the Display Area section. If you see Full Pixal Mode, change it to normal or whatever setting you see fit. That should get rid of the white line on your Sony XBR9. That's how I corrected the issue.

See if there's anyway to fix the issue on your other two televisions.

Daniel Murray

12-07-09, 06:30 PM

I can fix it but I do not want a fixed size like 720p. I would like to keep it as pass through so my channels play the way there suppose to show 480i,480p,720p,1080i. and let my TV do the conversion.
It a problem with STA cable box. Because if you have a Motorola box there is no problem with HDMI and Comcast confirm that.

Avatar28

12-07-09, 08:03 PM

For anyone whose Comcast service has gone all digital, I have a couple of questions.

1) Does the HDTV quality improve? It has never been great but lately it has gone to downright horrible. I get motion artifacts like crazy. Even things like the NBC Peacock get them badly. To say nothing of fast pans in sports and stuff.
2) How many free boxes will they provide? More than one I hope.
3) Do they unencrypt the QAM channels afterwards?

georule

12-07-09, 09:34 PM

I don't think regulatory concerns will "scuttle the deal". What will be much more interesting is what conditions are put on it. That's where the real story will be.

Imagine how much Versus-less DirecTV is looking forward to having USA, CNBC, MSNBC, and Syfy follow a similar bargaining path. Imagine how much Fios, Uverse, Time Warner, DirecTV, Dish, etc are looking forward to negotiating retransmission fees with Comcast for NBC content in markets where Comcast owns the NBC affiliate.

Comcast/NBC is not nearly big enough to start calling "monopoly!" on, but they are getting big enough to require some agreements on how they will conduct themselves re distribution competitors vis a vis their content portfolio.

Satcom15

12-08-09, 12:23 AM

Marcus Carr

12-08-09, 01:12 AM

Comcast's standard cable TV service is nearing the end of its run.

The cable company is urging customers inside Pittsburgh's city limits who subscribe to that lower-level package to get free digital converter equipment, or lose 17 channels come Jan. 26.

Those channels, including Food Network and Lifetime, will move from the analog to the digital lineup, and the rest of the 39 standard channels will follow about a month later.

...Areas outside the city will transition standard customers to digital by late 2010. Customers in Penn Hills, Ross, Carnegie and several other areas have received the first mail notices of the switch.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_656652.html

CRT Dude

12-08-09, 03:22 AM

bicker1

12-08-09, 07:19 AM

For anyone whose Comcast service has gone all digital, I have a couple of questions. 1) Does the HDTV quality improve?I didn't have the "all-digital" service for that long, but no, there was no quality improvement. There wasn't supposed to be. The intention of Project Calvary was to foster the "World of More", essentially reclaiming channels used for analog service to redirect for use in providing additional services, i.e., more HD channels, etc.

Even things like the NBC Peacock get them badly.I'd have your signal levels and wiring checked then. That stuff doesn't last forever.

2) How many free boxes will they provide? More than one I hope.It depends on your service level. I had Digital Economy, and it came with just one box included, a full digital STB. Digital Starter came with two DTAs, in addition to the full STB.

3) Do they unencrypt the QAM channels afterwards?The local over-the-air broadcast channels provided via QAM are indeed provided in-the-clear.

bicker1

12-08-09, 07:23 AM

I don't think regulatory concerns will "scuttle the deal". What will be much more interesting is what conditions are put on it. That's where the real story will be.Indeed. Early on there were indications that Comcast was seriously considering divesting NBCU of the over-the-air broadcast network, and I think that would have effectively covered all the bases necessary. Perhaps they're no longer saying that because they figure they're better off having the regulators propose conditions, rather than the company offering up conditions up-front.

Comcast/NBC is not nearly big enough to start calling "monopoly!" onEspecially since size is not the issue with regard to monopolies. :rolleyes:

Carl Jones

12-08-09, 07:29 AM

[
It depends on your service level. I had Digital Economy, and it came with just one box included, a full digital STB. Digital Starter came with two DTAs, in addition to the full STB.

Do the DTAs support HD? I have 4 HD sets, one with DVR, two with CCs, & fourth just analog cable currently.

If they do not support HD, is there special/better pricing for HD boxes as "upgrades" to DTAs?

JasG

12-08-09, 11:27 AM

For anyone whose Comcast service has gone all digital, I have a couple of questions.

To add to what others have said:

1) Does the HDTV quality improve? It has never been great but lately it has gone to downright horrible. I get motion artifacts like crazy. Even things like the NBC Peacock get them badly. To say nothing of fast pans in sports and stuff.I had horrible problems like this. The digital cutover uses higher frequencies that reveal cabling flaws - I suggest you check (in this order to avoid Comcast charges):
- the quality of your splitters - must be 1ghz capable or better. Comcast may provide them.
- each F-connector - a bad one can mess up one or more channels.
- the drop to your house and the feed from the outside box into your first splitter. These were both bad for me.
- the individual coax legs to each room - low grade or damaged/kinked cable can cause signal loss.
2) How many free boxes will they provide? More than one I hope.Be aware that the 'free' boxes do not pass HD signals, they are just 'digital to analog adaptors'.
3) Do they unencrypt the QAM channels afterwards?Basic cable and higher are encrypted, 'limited basic cable' is not (locals + shopping + community access).

Comcast service was great to me during this - it took three truck rolls before they realized that their drop from the pole had water in it. In the meantime, they told me how to replace the feed into the house (and gave me the cable at the store), replaced a bunch of F-connectors, measured signal levels at the problem set and gave me a couple of splitters. They backed off the service charges after I pointed out that their drop was the primary problem.

rsecpa

12-08-09, 12:59 PM

Comcast just replaced my Motorola DCH3200 with the Pace RNG-110. I have it hooked up via HDMI to my Sony xbr9 lcd tv. Odd thing that occurs is when I change inputs on the tv (i.e. from cable box to dvd player, then back to cable box) there is no signal on input source for cable box. When I turn cable box off then on again I get the signal and it doesn't go off unless I change input sources again. Anyone else with this? Seems awfully strange. No response yet from Comcast. Did not have this problem with the Motorola

georule

12-08-09, 01:44 PM

Indeed. Early on there were indications that Comcast was seriously considering divesting NBCU of the over-the-air broadcast network, and I think that would have effectively covered all the bases necessary. Perhaps they're no longer saying that because they figure they're better off having the regulators propose conditions, rather than the company offering up conditions up-front.

Frankly, I was expecting that myself early on. There's been another train of thought that is being put out there recently from various corners about the synergy Comcast could get with NBC sports in particular. . . golf, olympics, college football, etc. This theory is basically Comcast building up an ABC/ESPN competitor with NBC/Golf/Versus/CSN.

It makes enough sense that I'm back to fence-sitting and popcorn-munching on the ultimate results re the NBC and OandO affilliates portion. I think the earliest speculation about "taking NBC to a cable network" is the one of the three outcomes I would find highly unlikely for a host of reasons, contractual, regulatory, and sunk-investment in the owned affiliates.

CRT Dude

12-11-09, 10:35 AM

Notices are going out that say they are getting rid of SD boxes (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r23461030-STB-no-more-SD-boxes).
New Triple Play on Jan 7 (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r23448861-Comcast-Triple-Play-40).
Comcast launches backup service (http://comcastbonnie.blogspot.com/2009/12/comcast-secure-backup-share.html).
Bandwidth meter is around the corner (http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/105731).

Marcus Carr

12-14-09, 03:58 PM

Comcast completes digital upgrade project in Washington

Comcast completed its extensive digital upgrade project in the state this week, a move that the largest cable company in the state said will lead to faster Internet speeds and add more high definition channels. As part of the effort, Comcast has begun delivering channels 30 to 70 in digital format only.

...Comcast says it now provides 101 HD channels in the state -- including the recent additions of CBUT HD, ESPNU HD, MTV HD, VH1 HD, MSNBC HD.

http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2009/12/comcast_completes_digital_upgrade.html

PaulGo

12-15-09, 09:26 AM

For anyone having a problem of not receiving all the 800 series HD channels after the project Cavalry conversion this may help:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17720580#post17720580

sansri88

12-15-09, 02:17 PM

Just a note, Comcast Fancast XFinity TV launched today. You log in with your comcast.net ID and then install the access software. 3 computers max.

ak3883

12-15-09, 02:26 PM

Just a note, Comcast Fancast XFinity TV launched today. You log in with your comcast.net ID and then install the access software. 3 computers max.

3 "computers" as in 3 MAC addresses, or 3 IP addresses? Cause a laptop and desktop behind a router connected to a cable modem only counts as 1 IP address... Is this known yet?

keenan

12-15-09, 04:39 PM

sansri88

12-15-09, 04:51 PM

3 "computers" as in 3 MAC addresses, or 3 IP addresses? Cause a laptop and desktop behind a router connected to a cable modem only counts as 1 IP address... Is this known yet?

I believe 3 MACs, as it asks you to name the computer you are authorizing.

Some of the content is from Hulu, yes. That's because Fancast already acted as a Hulu aggregator.

Now there's also content from Discovery, HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.

Mine worked fine, I got HBO and Starz working fine. I think there's also some Showtime content but it's not listed prominently at the top.

keenan

12-15-09, 05:17 PM

Try "Accidentally On Purpose" from CBS, it looks awful, low bitrate, barely acceptable.

Marcus Carr

12-15-09, 06:00 PM

The On Demand video about the digital migration has shown up on Comcast in Baltimore City. 12/23 is the date to start ordering DTAs according to a postcard I got a few weeks ago. No date for removal of analog signals has been given yet.

sansri88

12-15-09, 06:19 PM

Try "Accidentally On Purpose" from CBS, it looks awful, low bitrate, barely acceptable.

Agreed, most of the content looks terrible, especially if you put it in full screen. I was checking out the Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and The Dark Knight (HBO movies) and they looked fine in the normal window....once you make it full screen its blocky and terrible.

keenan

12-15-09, 06:23 PM

Agreed, most of the content looks terrible, especially if you put it in full screen. I was checking out the Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and The Dark Knight (HBO movies) and they looked fine in the normal window....once you make it full screen its blocky and terrible.

Yup, that's what I'm seeing as well, it needs to be improved upon otherwise it's a waste of time IMO.

aindik

12-16-09, 12:49 PM

Tried XFinity earlier today and it doesn't recognize that I have HBO.

Are you logging in with an @comcast.net e-mail address? If not, it won't recognize your premiums, even if the non-comcast e-mail address is the one with which you log in to pay the bill, see your statement, etc. Which is silly but I think that's how it works.

Also, the "forgot your password" thing for comcast.net e-mail addresses seems to be broken.

keenan

12-16-09, 03:24 PM

Are you logging in with an @comcast.net e-mail address? If not, it won't recognize your premiums, even if the non-comcast e-mail address is the one with which you log in to pay the bill, see your statement, etc. Which is silly but I think that's how it works.

Also, the "forgot your password" thing for comcast.net e-mail addresses seems to be broken.

Yes, I logged in with the Comcast.net email addy and I do use a different one for bill-paying. What's curious is the account number online is different from what it says on my paper bill. I wonder if it might be because I have HBO on a free 2 year promo.

Thing is though, if the quality isn't any better than what I've already seen I won't have much use for the service anyway.

Comcast websites in general are pretty crappy in my experience.

Marcus Carr

12-16-09, 06:31 PM

Comcast Digital Upgrade 75% Complete In Freedom Region

MSO's Project Cavalry Rollout in Greater Philadelphia Area and New Jersey to be Completed in 2010

Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 12/16/2009 4:50:14 PM

Comcast has completed its analog-reclamation initiative -- code-named Project Cavalry -- in more than 75% of the systems in its Freedom Region, which serves 2.5 million customers in the greater Philadelphia area, New Jersey and northern Delaware.

Comcast said it has converted more than 445 communities in the Freedom Region, and expects to be finished with the upgrade in 2010.

With Project Cavalry, Comcast is converting between 35 and 50 analog channels to digital-only delivery. To let expanded-basic cable customers who don't have digital set-tops keep accessing the programming, Comcast offers a set-top box and two digital terminal adapters (DTAs) at no additional cost.Customers that do have set-tops are eligible to receive two DTAs for no extra charge.

That allows Comcast to free up to 300 MHz of spectrum to deliver new services like HD, DOCSIS 3.0 and video-on-demand.

In the Freedom Region, Comcast said, most systems have already seen at least 40 new HD channels -- including Bravo HD, Travel Channel HD, ESPNU HD, Comedy Central HD and Nickelodeon HD -- as a result of the spectrum freed up by the project, which is branded "World of More" to subscribers.

Earlier this year, the Freedom Region also completed its roll-out of DOCSIS 3.0 wideband technology, through which the operator is offering the Extreme 50 tier with download speeds of up to 50 Mbps. Comcast is also doubling speeds for the majority of existing high-speed Internet customers at no additional cost with the DOCSIS upgrade.

Freedom Region areas that have cut over are the Philadelphia-area counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery, and the New Jersey systems of Burlington County, Gloucester County, Hillsborough, Lambertville, Long Hill, Maple Shade, Meadowlands, Plainfield, Princeton, Trenton and Union.
Comcast is providing more information to customers on Project Cavalry at www.comcast.com/digitalnow.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/440735-Comcast_Digital_Upgrade_75_Complete_In_Freedom_Region.php

aindik

12-16-09, 06:47 PM

Yes, I logged in with the Comcast.net email addy and I do use a different one for bill-paying. What's curious is the account number online is different from what it says on my paper bill. I wonder if it might be because I have HBO on a free 2 year promo.

Thing is though, if the quality isn't any better than what I've already seen I won't have much use for the service anyway.

Comcast websites in general are pretty crappy in my experience.

It will be very valuable to me because it'll be my only way to see VOD. I don't have any Comcast boxes in the house - only TiVoHDs with CableCARD. Unfortunately it will neither take what I know is the comcast.net password, or allow me to change it.

keenan

12-16-09, 06:56 PM

It will be very valuable to me because it'll be my only way to see VOD. I don't have any Comcast boxes in the house - only TiVoHDs with CableCARD. Unfortunately it will neither take what I know is the comcast.net password, or allow me to change it.
That computer authorizing system doesn't appear to be working for me, it lets me authorize a computer, same computer twice now, but when trying to play content it says the computer is not authorized. Just a bit buggy... :D

kenvt

12-16-09, 07:36 PM

That computer authorizing system doesn't appear to be working for me, it lets me authorize a computer, same computer twice now, but when trying to play content it says the computer is not authorized. Just a bit buggy... :D

It worked yesterday, not today so I called them. They said the problem is national and on their end, they are working to resolve. After all this is a beta.

-Ken

Morac

12-17-09, 11:10 AM

Tried XFinity earlier today and it doesn't recognize that I have HBO. Also, the picture quality on a CBS show I tried was awful, not even worth the effort. It looks like they're using different bitrates depending on the content and some of it looks to be just redirected Hulu content.

XFinity appeared to simply let me view shows from all premium channels, even those I'm not subscribed to yet. The video is too choppy to watch on my laptop though.

I also noticed that the Comcast Access program continuously tried to reinstall Adobe Air. I tried to report this to the Fancast support team, but got a response email simply listed the minimum PC requirements to view video. I specifically mentioned that I had no problems viewing videos so it's obvious that they aren't reading their support emails.

drocpsu

12-17-09, 02:43 PM

On a different note: Comcast in southern New Hampshire seems to have added Spike HD within the past 2 days. I didn't specifically notice any other new HD channels in the lineup.

BSTNFAN

12-17-09, 03:40 PM

On a different note: Comcast in southern New Hampshire seems to have added Spike HD within the past 2 days. I didn't specifically notice any other new HD channels in the lineup.

Many in the area are reporting Nick HD and Lifetime HD, as well. This is in towns that have not converted yet, so they must've freed up a little bandwidth somewhere.

Satcom15

12-18-09, 12:05 AM

Time for a technical question that has our local PBS network techs and Comcast curious. If there's a better forum to post this question, please let me know. On our Comcast cable, we get periodic digital noise artifacts (pixelization, frozen frames, brief audio drop outs). It seems to occur about every 10 min or so. The curious thing, OTA to home has no problem from reports received. Comcast gets the feed OTA (a very strong VHF signal, KTSC Ch 8, from Cheyenne Mtn about 8 miles away). I don't know if other cable systems have the same problem. One other thing. Comcast uses Ch 8 for Ch 8 on the cable. In the old analog days, signal bleeding into the cable would cause ghosts (multipath probably). Interestingly, the CBS affiliate, KKTV CH 11 was placed on cable Ch 10 because of the same problem. I griped to the cable company, but they wouldn't move Ch 8 to another channel - not sure why.

Anyway we are in a digital age, so the issue of OTA signal leaking into the cable doesn't seem like it would be a problem - but then, who knows. I'm kind of leaning towards a clocking issue where the transmitted signal some how loses synch briefly (how and why? Not sure). BTW this problem shows up on analog service (like my extended basic). Not sure if its a problem on the pure digital transmission. Oh yeah, its not weather or time of day related. Happens in all weather and all times of the datal Apparently KTSC and cable techs have not been able to isolate the problem.

Anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on why we'd be having the problems described? Does anyone else have this problem? If so, is it on digital or analog service, VHF or UHF transmission. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Cheers

TwinCitiesGuy

12-18-09, 05:29 AM

In the Freedom Region, Comcast said, most systems have already seen at least 40 new HD channels -- including Bravo HD, Travel Channel HD, ESPNU HD, Comedy Central HD and Nickelodeon HD -- as a result of the spectrum freed up by the project, which is branded "World of More" to subscribers.

Here in the Twin Cities we barely have 40 HD channels (44 in Mpls / 41 in St. Paul) including none of those channels listed above. Can't order HD PPVs, either.

PaulGo

12-18-09, 12:13 PM

hdguru

12-18-09, 12:47 PM

Anyway we are in a digital age, so the issue of OTA signal leaking into the cable doesn't seem like it would be a problem - but then, who knows.

Especially in this digital age, signal leakage into the coax can play havoc with your channels. I recently assisted a friend who was receiving his signals OTA and having trouble with one specific channel. We started in the attic and traced the wiring (RG-6) all the way down to the wall connector behind the HDTV. I then noticed that the 1 meter coax to the TV was RG-58/9. So, I played with the cable's coils and magically, the lost station appeared. We went by Lowe's on the way back from lunch and replaced the the old cable with RG-6. No more problems. Odds are that you are having some ingress at or near the freq of your PBS station.

When Comcast here (Houston) tried to gain bandwidth by placing some channels on FM radio frequencies, all hell broke loose. From a practical standpoint, there was no way they could solve the hundreds of customer issues and eventually moved all those channels to alternate freq. There was simply no way they could compete with 100K FM signals.

Marcus Carr

12-18-09, 06:55 PM

Comcast To Hit 100-Mbps In Augusta, Ga., After Going 100% Digital

Operator Targets Feb. 1,For Elimination Of 16 Analog Broadcast Basic Channels

Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 12/18/2009 5:20:49 PM

Comcast is gearing up to take its first system in the U.S. -- in Augusta, Ga. -- to 100% digital operation by February, eliminating analog versions of 16 limited-basic cable channels and allowing the operator to introduce a 100-Mbps broadband service.

Under Comcast's Project Cavalry initiative, the operator is converting expanded basic lineups to digital-only delivery and offering customers a free digital set-top and two digital transport adapters (DTAs) for no extra charge. In Augusta, which completed the Project Cavalry cutover on Sept. 1, the elimination of the analog expanded basic channels allowed the system to add 45 HD channels, bringing the total number of HD channels available in the area to 83.

Now the Georgia system is going whole-hog, planning to phase out the 16 channels in the so-called "B1" tier by Feb. 1, 2010. The limited basic channels includes local broadcast feeds of NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS and ABC, as well as local public access, education and government channels.

Following the "B1" analog reclamation, Comcast plans to roll out an additional 18 HD channels and will be offering a 100-Mbps high-speed Internet tier to Augusta subscribers in addition to the 22- and 50-Mbps DOCSIS 3.0 speed tiers that are available in other markets, said Alana Davis, Comcast senior director of corporate communications for video communications.

Augusta was chosen to go fully digital because it "has a very small universe of limited basic customers and more limited capacity than some of our other markets," Davis said, operating at only 550 MHz whereas many cable systems today are at 750 or 860 MHz. Of the system's 86,000 basic subscribers, approximately 5% are limited basic only.

Comcast does not have immediate plans to take any other markets 100% digital, Davis said.

The Federal Communications Commission in 2007 adopted rules requiring cable operators to continue to carry the signals of local TV stations -- that opt for must-carry retransmission -- in analog format for three years following the broadcast digital TV transition, which was completed in June 2009. However, the requirement is waived if a cable system is 100% digital and all subscribers have access to the necessary equipment to view the channels.

Comcast customers will be able to access the B1 channels using a digital set-top box, DTA, CableCard-enabled device or a TV with a digital QAM tuner. After the system goes 100% digital, expanded basic channels will be encrypted, Comcast said, so at that point all TV sets, including those using QAM tuners, will not be able to view expanded basic channels without a digital device or CableCard.

In Augusta, Comcast will provide limited basic customers with up to three DTAs for no additional monthly service cost; additional DTAs are available for $1.95 per month.

In addition, as part of the all-digital move, Comcast Augusta will make nine additional channels available to limited-basic customers: WBEK, WJBF-Weather, WRDW-Weather, WRDW-My Network TV, WFXG-This TV, WCES-Kids, WCES-Know, WEBA-World and WEBA-SC.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/441155-Comcast_To_Hit_100_Mbps_In_Augusta_Ga_After_Going_100_Digita l.php

Satcom15

12-19-09, 09:53 AM

Especially in this digital age, signal leakage into the coax can play havoc with your channels. I recently assisted a friend who was receiving his signals OTA and having trouble with one specific channel. We started in the attic and traced the wiring (RG-6) all the way down to the wall connector behind the HDTV. I then noticed that the 1 meter coax to the TV was RG-58/9. So, I played with the cable's coils and magically, the lost station appeared. We went by Lowe's on the way back from lunch and replaced the the old cable with RG-6. No more problems. Odds are that you are having some ingress at or near the freq of your PBS station.

When Comcast here (Houston) tried to gain bandwidth by placing some channels on FM radio frequencies, all hell broke loose. From a practical standpoint, there was no way they could solve the hundreds of customer issues and eventually moved all those channels to alternate freq. There was simply no way they could compete with 100K FM signals.

hdguru - Wow, who'd have thunk ... I'm an old analog RF guy so some the vageries of digital still mystify me. Thanks for the insight.

Marcus Carr

12-23-09, 09:27 AM

Ken H

12-23-09, 11:56 AM