| February 13, 2013 | News for the cable and broadband industry |
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- Comcast, in $16.7 billion deal, will control all of NBCU
Comcast is acquiring General Electric's remaining 49% stake in NBCUniversal for $16.7 billion. In a separate transaction, Comcast will pay about $1.4 billion to purchase the NBC studios and offices at 30 Rockefeller Center and the CNBC facility in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. The move by the cable giant, which bought a controlling interest in NBCU two years ago, "is driven by our sense of optimism for the future prospects" of the unit, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said. The timing of the deal was motivated by the need to have control of content and delivery mechanisms to compete against a changing array of TV rivals, Roberts added. Bloomberg Businessweek
(2/12), The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/Media Decoder blog
(2/12), The Wall Street Journal
(2/13), USA Today
(2/13), Reuters
(2/13)      
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Comcast improves its basic video results in strong quarter: Comcast in Q4 tallied a 7% increase in revenue to $10.1 billion for its cable unit, compared with the same period in 2011. Comcast's total revenue, including its NBCUniversal division, was up 6% to $15.9 billion. Basic video losses totaled 7,000 customers, compared with 17,000 for the same period in 2011, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of improvement. Multichannel News
(2/12)
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Comcast comes to terms with Fox on multiplatform deal: Fox Networks has reached an accord with Comcast covering all of Fox's broadcast and cable networks and including multiplatform distribution. "This unprecedented TV Everywhere agreement enables us to take advantage of the innovative technologies and platforms we've developed to deliver the best content to our customers," said Greg Rigdon, executive vice president of content acquisition for Comcast Cable. Multichannel News
(2/12)
- Analysis: Fox sports net will be a player in crowded field
News Corp.'s forthcoming national sports network is "unlikely to make a material dent" in ESPN's dominance for the next decade, due to the latter's long-term programming agreements, according to Nomura Equity Research analyst Michael Nathanson. "Given its war chest ... ESPN will be able to control its own destiny," Nathanson said. However, Fox Sports 1's likely slate of Major League Baseball games could make it a strong competitor to NBC Sports Network's NHL coverage and CBS Sports Network's schedule of lower-profile college football. Adweek
(2/12)
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- Style renews pair of series, will launch 3 new shows
Style is introducing three new original series and is bringing back "Giuliana & Bill" and "Tia & Tamera." The new series are "Pop Style," a live weekly panel show hosted by Jeannie Mai and Louise Roe; "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," an update of the show hosted by Robin Leach; and "Luxe Life Miami," about a former competitor on NBC's "The Apprentice" who now sells upscale real estate. Style, in conjunction with executive producer Charlize Theron, is also developing "Glam Squad," in which makeup and hair teams will compete for high-profile assignments. Variety (subscription required)
(2/12)
| Eye on Video | | |
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| Marketing Trends | | |
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- Under Armour promises innovation to start "I will" campaign
The latest commercial from Under Armour boasts that it is building the next great innovation for athletes, showing high-tech and futuristic training devices and introducing the tagline "I will." Basketball player Kemba Walker and baseball's Bryce Harper are among the athletes featured. The brand launches a global campaign with the spot this weekend, part of what will likely be a 20% increase in the brand's spending, according to Under Armour's Steve Battista. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model)
(2/12)
| Competitive Watch | | |
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- Intel to launch paid online-video service in 2013
Intel has become the latest player to offer a premium online-video service and set-top box that will include live and on-demand content, "catch-up" tools, and a user-friendly programming guide. Intel's set-top box also will feature an HD video camera and microphone with facial-recognition technology that will have the ability to customize programming depending on who's watching and allow for interaction with viewers in different locations. The Wall Street Journal
(2/12), Adweek
(2/12)
| Association News | | |
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Infographic simplifies new CTAM membership structure
| People & Personalities | | |
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| SmartQuote from NBCUniversal On Demand | | |
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 | I was 18 when I got married, but it was not love."
--Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley), "Anna Karenina"
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| This title and more are available On Demand! Movies & TV shows from NBCUniversal: digital.nbcuni.com. |
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