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Most Clicked CTAM SmartBrief Stories


1. Comcast-NBCU deal may forever change cable's business model:

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009

The Comcast-NBCU deal also is expected to be such a fundamental game-changer that, once it passes regulatory hurdles, it will begin altering the underlying business model that has guided the cable industry for decades. "The world of cable delivery is about to change," said James McQuivey, an analyst with Forrester Research. "Cable companies for years have made their living by selling consumers hundreds of television channels bundled together. But the future is going to be very different, and cable companies instead will be selling an 'entertainment experience.' " Los Angeles Times (11/16)


2. Comcast's rising tide could lift all boats

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009

The takeover of NBC Universal by Comcast, a deal that could be officially announced within days, should be celebrated by the cable TV industry because it will have a widespread, beneficial effect in a number of areas, including the acceptance of video on demand, the further migration of content to the online platform and even the stock price of other cable companies, according to this report. "The healthier Comcast is, the healthier the industry is," said Bruce Leichtman of the Leichtman Research Group. "They are the majority for investors, and they are the bellwether for investments." Multichannel News (11/16)


3. Comcast deal said to change the TV business

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009

As Comcast and General Electric appear to be putting the finishing touches on a deal that will give the cable company control of NBC Universal and its NBC broadcast network, the TV industry is coming to grips with just how much dynamics that govern the business have changed in the past decades. "This is highly symbolic," said Tim Brooks, formerly of NBC. USA TODAY (11/16)


4. Vivendi working on final details of NBCU exit

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009

Vivendi and General Electric, currently the two owners of NBC Universal, are working out the details of Vivendi's exit from the partnership. The disposition of Vivendi's stake is considered one of the last major hurdles to Comcast's taking control of NBCU. Wall Street Journal, The (11/18)


5. Judge signs off on Charter's reorganization plan

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009

A bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of New York has confirmed the reorganization plan of Charter Communications. The ruling enables the St. Louis company, the fourth-largest cable provider in the country, to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a few weeks with $8 billion less debt on its books. CEDMagazine.com (11/18)


6. Cox launches VOD ad trial in Phoenix

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009

Cox Communications and NBC Universal are jointly testing a new dynamic-advertising service for video-on-demand programming in Phoenix. The cable provider is using its MyPrimetime VOD platform to refresh up to four ads or promos several times per week in episodes of NBC's "The Office" and USA's "Monk." Multichannel News (11/16)


7. Cable providers said to be getting more interested in IPTV

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 16, 2009

Cable providers are ratcheting up their interest in technologies related to the IPTV platform, according to attendees at a TV-related conference in Orlando last week. Craig Knudsen, the director of IPTV business development at Tandberg Television, said that meetings with cable firms had reached the "serious side," adding that "the level of [cable] interest in IPTV has clearly been raised." Cable Digital News (11/13)


8. Comcast-owned thePlatform offers authentication service

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 18, 2009

Comcast-owned video-publishing company thePlatform is offering programmers the ability to authenticate TV Everywhere viewership from their own Web sites. The service would allow programmers to authorize the viewing of individual shows as well as sort out geographic restrictions, windows of availability and other issues. Cable Digital News (11/18) Hollywood Reporter, The (11/18)


9. Comcast to offer low-cost digital-TV tier in Twin Cities

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 17, 2009

Comcast on Dec. 16 will begin offering a Digital Economy tier of TV service in the Twin Cities area. The new low-cost offering -- which will be nearly $30 a month for those who already have Comcast data and/or phone service and about $40 for new customers -- will consist of 20 channels in addition to local broadcast and public service stations. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (11/16)


10. Comcast elevates Steven White

CTAM SmartBrief | Nov 13, 2009

Steven White has been named president of Comcast's West Division. White, who will replace Brad Dusto, was the regional senior vice president of the cable provider's California Region. CEDMagazine.com (11/12)




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