Soccer fans in the U.S. are used to the complications of watching Premier League games, which often require getting up at an ungodly hour to watch British teams like Manchester United or Chelsea FC at a bar with a fancy cable sports package. They’ll have another option this summer, however. [More]
nbc/universal
More Details Revealed About Comcast’s Planned Streaming Service
By 4.10.17
Bit by bit we’re beginning to build an idea of what Comcast’s “it-will-launch-someday” streaming service will look like when that day comes. And no surprise here, the over-the-top option — rumored to be called Xfinity Instant TV — will come with programs from Comcast-owned NBCUniversal. [More]
ESPN, ABC, Fox News, Fox Sports All Joining Hulu’s Eventual Live Streaming Service
By 11.2.16
Once upon a time (two whole years ago!) the idea of successfully getting an internet-based cable alternative up, running, and profitable seemed, perhaps, like a pipe dream. These days, even though we don’t know if the ventures are exactly profitable, the online competition to get your monthly TV dollars is fierce. And now Hulu is latest player to grab some big headliners for itsplan to start zapping linear TV channels to your online eyeballs. [More]
Comcast Doubles Down On Buzzfeed With Another $200M Investment
By 10.21.16
In its continuing quest to take over the content world, Comcast is once again splashing out with a big investment into journalism and listicle juggernaut BuzzFeed. [More]
NBC Exec: Viewers Always Come Back From Binges, Netflix Not A “Consistent” Threat
By 1.15.16
There’s obviously some disruption afoot in the TV marketplace of late. Broadcast and cable networks continue to think that they represent TV. Netflix, Amazon, and an up-and-coming generation of cord-cutters seem to disagree. And yet for all money the young whippersnapper businesses seem to get from the young whippersnapper audiences, at least one member of the old guard thinks it’s all so much chaff in the wind. [More]
Comcast Reportedly Looking To Buy Vice Media, Or Maybe BuzzFeed, Or Maybe Vox…
By 7.24.15
Now that Comcast is done crying itself to sleep every night about its forced breakup with merger partner Time Warner Cable, the company is getting back to doing what it does best: No, not providing adequate cable/Internet service (don’t be silly!), but acquiring other businesses. [More]
Apple Reportedly Planning To Launch Streaming TV Service This Fall
By 3.17.15
Coming off an announcement last week that it would carry thes oon to launch HBO Now streaming service, Apple reportedly has imminent plans to offer online access to live TV and on-demand content. [More]
FCC Fines ESPN, Viacom $1.4M For Improper Use Of Emergency Alert Tones
By 1.21.15
Hearing the emergency alert warning tones blaring from your television typically makes you take immediate notice (and immediately hit the Mute button). So when a broadcaster allows a commercial or program to air similar sounds without an actual emergency occurring, they could be on the receiving end of a pretty big fine from federal regulators. [More]
NBCUniversal Set To Pay $6.4M In Settlement With Unpaid Interns
By 10.24.14
Unpaid internships in the entertainment industry often offer Hollywood hopefuls a glimpse behind the curtain and a foot in the door. But the hours are long and the compensation is nonexistent. Those qualities apparently didn’t sit well with a group of former NBCUniversal interns and now the company is prepared to settle their class action lawsuit for $6.4 million. [More]
FCC To TV Companies: You Can’t Broadcast Emergency Alert Tones If It’s Not An Emergency
By 3.3.14
The thing about the Emergency Alert System is that it’s only supposed to be used to alert people when there’s an actual emergency. So anyone viewing the trailer for 2013’s Olympus Has Fallen might’ve been alarmed to hear those telltale tones along with “This is not a test” — at least until Gerard Butler’s face hits the screen. [More]
Comcast Set To Swallow NBCUniversal Whole With $16.7 Billion Buyout
By 2.13.13
What would Liz Lemon do? Well 30 Rock did get in its parting jab at Comcast during its series finale recently, but we’re sure Liz and Jack Donaghy would have plenty to say about Comcast’s $16.7 billion buyout of NBCUniversal. Kabletown — er, Comcast, is gobbling up General Electric’s 49% stake in the company, which will make it the 100% overlord supreme. [More]
Sprint Won’t Grant Employee Discount, New Customer Threatens Unholy Twitter War
By 10.3.12
Earlier today, we shared the story of a new Sprint customer who signed up because he was offered a 25% employee discount for a company he doesn’t actually work for. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter whether you work for the company or not: Sprint will still resist giving you the employee discount you were promised. That’s what Gerry learned. He works for the cable channel G4, part of NBC-Universal-Comcast-Kabletown, and is entitled to a 25% discount from Sprint. In theory. In practice, there doesn’t seem to be enough proof in the world for Sprint to believe that Gerry actually works where he says he does. Pay stub? No. Badge? No. E-mail address? No. Not enough. [More]
Regulators Will Keep Stink Eye On Comcast-NBC Merger's Impact On Online Video
By 9.2.11
The feds approved the Comcast-NBCUniversal merger earlier this year, but the deal had to clear another hurdle Thursday. Earlier, the FCC and U.S. Department of Justice agreed that the company needed federal court approval of the online video aspect of the deal. Now a U.S. District judge has given the merger a thumbs-up on the condition that the court will keep a close eye on the company’s effects on the video industry for the next two years. [More]
This Polo Shirt Is Not Up To Buy More's Exacting Standards
By 2.16.11
Even if a shirt is purchased as part of a joke, it should hold up to multiple wearings and washings, right? Michael ordered a polo shirt with the Buy More store logo from the NBC series “Chuck.” The shirt is clearly defective, with a seam under the front buttons already unraveling, but NBC is holding firm: they won’t exchange the shirt for a non-defective one. What would Big Mike say? [More]
Analyst Says NBC Universal-Comcast Union Will Make Cable Prices Rise Faster
By 2.1.11
Now that NBC Universal and Comcast have sealed their civil union to become NBCUniversal — isn’t it adorable how she took his name? — it will presumably soon be time for subscribers to give the company its wedding gifts: Higher cable rates. [More]
