May 08, 2008

Comcast To Sell You Internet Forever

Yesterday, Comcast and other companies announced plans for WiMax, the future of wireless Internet.

Apparently Brian Roberts was on a bus once and got a lot of work done on this bus, using fast Internet. So he was like, "Hey, we should all get fast Internet!"

The new technology, called WiMAX, will transmit high-speed Internet, movies, television shows, sports games, and other digital data from about 200,000 existing cellular-telephone towers to laptop computers, telephones and other devices. The deal creates a new company called Clearwire Inc. Its owners will be Comcast, Sprint Nextel Corp., Intel Corp., Google Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc. and Bright House Networks L.L.C.

They have agreed to collectively invest $3.2 billion. Comcast's share is $1.05 billion. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. "We'll be on the offensive in wireless with world-class partners. It is exciting. Our customers will know that the Comcast experience will be not just in your home but wherever you want it," Roberts said.

Hooray, super-fast Internet! Well, super-fast Internet sold to you by Comcast, so it's not really all that exciting.

Oh, yeah, everyone knew this new faster technology was coming when Wireless Philadelphia started, but nobody really seemed to care.

Comcast signs 'Internet-on-the-go' deal [Inquirer]

Posted by D-Mac at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)

April 15, 2008

Eagles To Play Thanksgiving (Will You See It?)

Well, look at this! The Eagles will play on Thanksgiving night this year at home against the Arizona Cardinals. In addition to their division games and the four games against the rotating AFC opponent (this year, the North, where they'll play the Steelers, Ravens, Bengals and Browns), the Eagles will also play the 49ers, Falcons, Seahawks, Rams and Bears.

But the Thanksgiving game might be the most interesting, and just because it's on, well, Thanksgiving. The NFL and Comcast are still having a tug of war over what "tier" the NFL Network should be on, part of the most boring controversy in world history. (I just love it when multi-million dollar corporations fight.) Now, Comcast's home market of Philadelphia has a high-profile game that will be airing on NFL Network! What better way to shame them (or something) into doing their bidding. That crafty NFL!

Posted by D-Mac at 02:50 PM | Comments (3)

March 04, 2008

Comcast DVR Box Continues To Annoy

If you're, uhm, fortunate enough to have a DVR box from Comcast, you've probably experienced some problems with it. If you've had one for a while like me, you're actually happy with it right now; previous boxes of mine used to die every few weeks, and the old firmware barely worked. Box #7 has worked fairly well so far, but I still am kind of in constant worry it will break again.

It's also slow and stalls and requires a power cycle every other week or so. And there's no group delete and there are these annoying "messages" that pop up and, okay, maybe I don't like the DVR all that much. I suppose the honeymoon over the fixes Comcast did make is over.

Chris Albrecht wrote about another problem: Some networks don't send the data for 'new' or 'repeat' episodes, so the DVR treats everything as new. Comcast says it's fixed; Albrecht says it's not for him. (Not fixed for me, either!) He has also written about key queuing, where the Comcast DVR stalls and then inputs all the button presses one after another.

All of this remains unfixed. Meanwhile, you can buy Slowskys merchandise. (Note to Brian Roberts: If I ever make it big, I'm more than happy to sell out and make commercials for you.)

Dear Comcast, Why is My DVR So Dumb? [NewTeeVee]

Posted by D-Mac at 12:10 PM | Comments (4)

February 04, 2008

Comcast, Senator Team Up To Screw You

Hey, guess, what, fellas? Will Bunch has quite the scoop! Turns out Arlen Specter doesn't really care about you, or the Eagles, at all! Yes, apparently he only cares about people who give him money, making him a politician.

As you may have read earlier, Specter wants to investigate the NFL for Spygate because he just loves fair sports so much and there hasn't been much else going on in Washington. Ha ha, that's just what ol' Arlen said, though, and I hope you knew it wasn't true since a politician said it.

Bunch writes that two of Specter's biggest donors are Comcast and lobbying firm Blank Rome, who lobbies for Comcast. Comcast, as you know, is in a war with the NFL over the NFL Network. (Isn't it cute when multi-million dollar corporations fight?) This is probably why Arlen Specter is angry about the NFL's exclusive deal with DirecTV, yet silent on Comcast SportsNet's refusal to sell the channel to satellite systems.

Basically, all it means is a politician is screwing you over. But you already knew that.

Arlen's tangled Comcastic mess: It's worse than you think [Attytood]

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January 22, 2008

Imp't Historical Site To Be Discussed

Comcast-Spectacor will unveil preliminary plans for development of the South Philadelphia sports complex -- including issues regarding the demolition of the Spectrum -- today at a news conference. The news conference by Comcast will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet, which you can only get in the city by subscribing to Comcast cable. The media will then write about Comcast afterward.

Early last week, the Delco Times broke the story of the Spectrum's possible demolition, leading locals to reminisce about their favorite Spectrum moment. Some of we yokels probably even would say "Wing Bowl" when asked their favorite Spectrum event. Indeed, the Spectrum has been home to many events, none greater than Bill "El Wingador" Simmons' first Bowl victory in 1999.

The plans involve the Baltimore-based Cordish Co, which has opened several "Live!" entertainment chains in the U.S. and wants to open its newest branch down in South Philly. I think the conference is at 2 p.m., but Peter Lukko isn't going to say anything concrete, so whatevs.

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January 18, 2008

Out: Spectrum. In: Chain Neighborhood.

Somehow I haven't written about the possible demolition of the Spectrum so far, so let's delve in. On Sunday, the Delco Times broke the story¹: The Spectrum might be demolished to make way for an entertainment complex. (Which is what is already there, but you get the point.)

The Daily News the next day added a few more details about the proposed complex. Cordish Co. has given several proposals to Comcast, which owns the Spectrum, at least one of which would demolish the arena and put in condos, a movie theater, a music venue, etc.

Basically, what they want to build is a chain:

The Cordish Co. describes itself on its Web site as one of the leading real-estate-development companies and most successful entertainment-operating businesses in the world. Recent projects, similar in scope to what is supposedly being proposed for Philadelphia, include "Power Plant Live!" in Baltimore's Inner Harbor Area, "Fourth Street Live" in Louisville Ky., and "Daytona Live!" outside Daytona Motor Speedway in Daytona, Fla.

Philly Live!, you will be relieved to learn, will have the exclamation point, which gives a neighborhood extra edginess.

¹ The story is gone from the link I saved, plus the Times has that awful Journal-Register website template with ridiculously long permalinks and zero readability.

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Shareholder: It's A Comcastrophe!

Barron's yesterday reported a major shareholder of Comcast wants Brian Roberts fired. A Jan. 14 letter from Chieftan Capital to Comcast called the Roberts' reign of terror a "Comcastrophe" (cute) and said he should be axed. Although the Roberts family only owns 1 percent of Comcast's shares, it owns "dual-class shares" which gives 'em control of the company. Comcast sez it's no big deal and it's met with Chieftan Capital and will smooth everything over in time. Comcastrophe!

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December 11, 2007

Buy This Car, Get Better Parking

The Wachovia Center has signed a deal with Lexus in order to give Lexus drivers reserved parking at the Wacko Center.

"Lexus continues to be a great advertising partner of ours," Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko said in a press release. "As we continue to look for new and exciting opportunities for our fans and our sponsors, Lexus remains a terrific partner.

"As a result of this new arrangement, we're able to offer our customers who drive Lexus cars an opportunity to park in a specially designated space with other Lexus owners."

Whoo! You get to park with other Lexus owners! I understand the need for reserved parking at the Flyers, but the Sixers? You can probably pull up five minutes before gametime and get the best parking spot in the house.

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December 05, 2007

Reduced Outlook For Comcast Sends Shares South

Hey, so speaking of some good old shameful joy, it looks like shares of Comcast are headed south. This makes me feel sort of conflicted; after all, Comcast hasn't really done much to me personally other than charge too much for cable. On the other hand, the company charges too much for cable. What's not to hate?

The cable giant said it now only expects to add 6 million new customers this year, not 6.5 million. Apparently, this means there won't be a Christmas or something and so everybody's selling! Now everybody's selling! Buy buy buy!

Comcast also has to improve its customer service, which stock traders apparently just found out sucks today.

Comcast shares plummet on reduced outlook [MarketWatch]
Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) [Yahoo! Finance]

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November 07, 2007

Anonymous Comcast Employee Likes Job

Since every crackpot can now have a blog and be a "self-publisher," there are plenty of people who spend their time obsessively chronicling the mundane details of a corporation or city (see: Philadelphia Will Do). Comcast is a popular target nowadays -- aw, it's the little local media company that could grow into a giant corporation -- and has its own followers, which is cool and all.

Philly, Inc., though, points us to comcastrocks dot blogspot dot come, which is apparently a random Internet employee blogging in the name of the company. Since the company's forayed into the field of astroturfing didn't go so well last time, is this another attempt at gaining some Internet credibilkity? (Whatever that means.) The scoop: The writer of ComcastMustDie.com says it's real.

And, the highlight of the so far three posts:

Life is so short and we have to realize that there are more important things for all of us to be working on. Comcast is a corporation that is bigger and more powerful than most of us. So why try to take it down and or bash there employees. There are other options we may not like then but they do exist.And for all of the employees that hate your job:QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She makes a good point: Life is more important than hating Comcast, though not by much.

comcast rocks dot blogspot dot com

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October 22, 2007

Comcast Wiretap Rates Only Slightly More Expensive Than Basic Cable

We all know the government spies on us. They probably know when you've commented on this very blog, even though the political discourse here never really raises above "Give me those photos of George Bush in a bikini!" Well, apparently the government spies on us so much, Comcast has a special rate for wiretapping!

For the low, low price of $1,000, Comcast will let the government put a wiretap on your phone and perhaps the other parts of the "triple play" package. A blog called Secrecy News obtained a copy of Comcast's manual, which does make it seem like the cable behemoth does comply with the law.

With your $1,000 fee, you get the first month of "intercept service" for free! No, really, you do. That sounds like a joke but the handbook actually says that. It's $750 for each additional month of spying, so basically it actually only costs $250 to get the wiretap. Oh, and an FBI agent has to hand-deliver the National Security Letters to Comcast HQ in Philadelphia, so the black vans with guys in suits really are following you around town.

Comcast Cable Law Enforcement Handbook [Secrecy News]
Implementing Domestic Intelligence Surveillance [Secrecy News]

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September 18, 2007

Horrible, Hilarious Public Access To Hit Philadelphia

Even though groups have been pushing for it since the Wilson Goode administration -- that's not a joke, I'd be using Joseph Clark if I were making a joke -- and every other city has public access TV and, legally, Comcast is required to have public access TV, well, we don't have public access television.

Until now! As long as City Council approves a pair of ordinances, unintentionally hilarious public access television will be coming to Philadelphia. Comcast will initially donate almost $2 million and lease a space from the city at 25th and Lehigh so that we, the viewers, can have America's Funniest Home Videos.

Last time I was up in New York, I marveled at the city's three public access channels. One show we watched was called Faith & Fitness. The show was a half hour of a woman doing general Jazzercise moves and once -- once! -- saying "Oh and always remember your faith in Jesus." And this was the first half hour I had ever watched New York public access TV.

I can only imagine once Philly's starts it will be equally entertaining. Hooray for public access! Oh, yeah, also citizens have a voice and all, blah blah blah.

Public access TV coming to city [Inquirer]

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August 21, 2007

Comcast Rolls Out The Astroturf

We all know that sports leagues don't want anything bad said about them on television. And the TV channels that broadcast the games usually oblige -- witness the aborted question about Bud Selig to Barry Bonds during the MLB All-Star Game. But leagues are beginning to start their own channels -- NBA TV, NFL Network, Major Indoor Soccer League TV -- and the colleges are getting into it, too.

As such, the Big Ten Network has been in a public "feud" with local media giant Comcast for the past few months. The BTN wants its channel to be a basic cable channel, because I really need to see Ohio State indoor track (which they probably won't show anyway). Comcast doesn't want to put the Big Ten Network on basic cable, because the company is interested in keeping costs down for its customers. (I don't even need to put "Ha ha, just kidding!" after that last sentence.)

Comcast, as such, apparently hired a media company to astroturf lobby for it. Posts similar to this one started showing up on messageboards about Big Ten schools from posters who had just registered:

Continue reading "Comcast Rolls Out The Astroturf"

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March 21, 2007

Comcast Customers Forced To Switch To Digital If They Want To Watch 'Dave' For The 75th Time

Comcast customers without digital cable -- clearly, people who live in the draconian time of 1997 and don't have to deal with that horrible Motorola DVR box (although the latest firmware update may have fixed it) -- are now faced to deal with a choice: Upgrade to digital, or miss The Sopranos.

The Inquirer reports this comes after Comcast previously upset smaller groups of older peopel by shifting some Catholic network (EWTN) and C-SPAN2 to digital-only.

A decision to move EWTN and C-SPAN2 to Comcast's digital tier late last year caused an uproar at Pennswood Village, a Bucks County community of 450 people over age 65.

"Pennswood was up in arms," said Alice Garr, chairwoman of the village's ad hoc TV services committee, which was formed solely to deal with the issue.

Indeed! Meanwhile, some man is angry he already pays $83.50 for regular cable on three television sets, which means his deal is way better than mine, apparently.

HBO move riles some Comcast customers [Inquirer]

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January 19, 2007

Incredibly, Comcast To Get Less Sucky

The era of the awful Comcast/Motorola DVR box may finally be coming to an end. (Well, until Comcast figures out a way to weasel out it or something.) Not only is the second generation of CableCARD -- which will allow you to get the program guide and on-demand without a set-top box -- coming out next year but Comcast is being forced to not force we customers to use their hardware. (Ha! Now you know how it feels.)

Jonathan Takiff in the Daily News:

But starting next year, these wrongs will be righted. The foot-dragging, tech-testing wing of the cable industry, Cable Labs, has finally standardized a two-way interactive CableCARD. Several hardware companies at CES - including Panasonic, Samsung and LG Electronics - showed prototypes that will work with it.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Federal Communications Commission last week reiterated its order that change-resistant, Philly-based cable giant Comcast must "unlock" the set-top-box security used throughout its systems.

The end result is that cable customers will soon have a broad assortment of feature-rich, CableCard-ready video products they can buy at retail stores or online. They'll no longer be stuck with the cable provider's limited selection of rental equipment.

2008 can't come fast enough.

Jonathan Takiff | The stuff we saw at CES that you'll really want [Daily News]

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December 08, 2006

Arlen Specter Gives Sloppy Kiss To David Cohen

At a hearing yesterday run by Sen. Arlen Specter, the focus was supposed to be on Comcast (and other cable companies) and its decision to not sell its sports networks -- the various Comcast SportsNet affiliates -- to satellite dish companies. (This makes sense for Comcast, since they're a cable company, but isn't quite as good for your average fan in Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Sacramento or L.A.)

Instead, Specter decided to bash the NFL instead, for selling its "Sunday Ticket" package only to DirecTV, threatening to get rid of the NFL's antitrust exemption -- which would allow teams to negotiate their own TV deals, among other things. Yeah, what I really want is the "Eagles Television Network" -- which does a God-awful job on preseason games -- doing the regular season, too.

Specter also cited the move of the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis, which happened in 1982. (Glad you got on that one right away, Mr. Senator.) Of course, while proposing legislation that would strip the NFL of its antitrust exemption, Specter said he would "consider" legislation that would force Comcast to sell their sports networks to satellite TV companies.

The problem here is, of course, both companies. The NFL received its antitrust exemption with the assumption the games would be free for all to watch and Comcast shouldn't be able to have a monopoly on its sports programming. But with politicians in charge of fixing it, well... don't expect anything to happen anytime soon.

Specter says NFL abuses cable viewers [Inquirer]

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October 20, 2006

Dr. J: Sixers Owner?

Kudos to the Daily News' Phil Jasner today who breaks the story that Dr. J has put together a group that's interested in buying the 76ers. (Okay, it's written: "Erving, the legendary Doctor J.")

I guess the question of "Who the hell would buy the 76ers?" has been answered. Who would buy the Sixers? Legendary ex-players!

There's not much more than that to the story, but, c'mon, Julius Erving! As owner! Of the 76ers! This would be like Pat Croce times 10.

Could Doctor J be Sixers' operator? [Daily News]

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September 13, 2006

New Ticket Agency Hoping To Be Much, Much Worse Than Ticketmaster Ever Dreamed

Screw Ticketmaster! Right? The ticket giant has pretty much scooped up every venue from here to Turkmenistan, charging high services fees and generally making sure that concert and sports tickets cost approximately as a few years at a small liberal arts college.

Well, Ticketmaster is going to be out of Philly! Sorta! The Ticketmaster deal with the Wachovia Center and related places finally expired recently, and Comcast-owned ComcastTIX will soon begin selling tickets for the Wachovia Center and Spectrum, the Borgata, the Liacouras Center and the Sovereign Bank Arena. And you'll be able to buy tickets at the Ack-a-mee, too!

Surely, this new competitior to Ticketmaster wll have cheaper service fees, right? After years of being under the monopoly of the ticket giant, customers will finally have a break?

As ticket buyers are painfully aware, service charges can be sky-high on some concerts and sporting events, and that's not going to change much, conceded the execs.

"When someone's making a $1,000 charge for Barbra Streisand tickets, just the 2 percent fee we have to pay to the credit-card company is going to be steep, and that's built into the service fee," said Luukko.

Ohh, I see, it's the credit card company's fault! Which is why every business who takes credit cards charges enormous surcharges. There are perks, of course, like discounts for Comcast customers and the ability to give tickets to kids with a food, drinks and a t-shirt already on it. ("The bar code might even stipulate only nonalcoholic drinks," the Daily News warns. Y'know, so the 12-year-olds can't buy beer.)

But, hey, at least this company isn't worse that Ticketmaster. Right?

Comcast-TIX will be able to build profiles of the service users and put that information to use, said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko.

"Say, you've purchased tickets to a Metallica or AC/DC concert. Now we know you're a metal music fan and can send you an e-mail alert when Slayer is coming to town," said Luukko. "We'll be able to set up preferred-users clubs, maybe even offer half-price tickets to some shows."

Of course, Ticketmaster did that, too, but, man, at least they weren't so damn publicly gleeful about it.

Gee. I miss Ticketmaster already.

New ticket service vows to offer perks [Daily News]
ComcastTIX.com

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July 31, 2006

Sixers For Sale?

The Boston Globe had this interesting item buried deep within an NBA notes column yesterday. It said, in essence, Comcast was going to sell the Sixers almost imminently. Then it contained this sentence: "The Sixers' announced attendance was down about 7.5 percent last season and the Allen Iverson-Chris Webber marriage seems to be working about as well as the Julia Roberts-Lyle Lovett union did."

Okay, so that sentence should make you less likely to trust the article. But the Comcast Spectacor brass just issued a non-denial denial: "We receive expressions of interest from time to time.... we're not actively selling the team."

Which means... hey, maybe the team is for sale. Joe Juliano notes all the Sixers' recent problems in an article in today's Inquirer, but notes that the team is worth upwards of $351 million, according to Forbes.

It'd seem a little strange for Comcast to deal the 76ers, since they also own the Flyers and the stadium both teams play in. And, yeah, the attendance is dropping, but just five years ago the team had the highest attendance it ever had.

Still, there's one nagging question that makes us think this report is just a bit off: Who in their right minds would want to buy the 76ers?

For sale: Philadelphia 76ers [Boston Globe, 2nd item]
Executive: Sixers not for sale [Inquirer]

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June 14, 2006

Blogicized: Comcast Puts Hotels On Citizens Bank Park, Wachovia Center

• 'XPN says we upload, you decide: Is that ubiquitous Chili Peppers song the same as that one-ubiquitous Tom Petty song? [WXPN Blog]

• Could you one day watch Phillies games on DirecTV? Ha. That's a good one. [Civil Defense]

• Hey, Play, the newest suburban alt-weekly, has launched! And the mag's top BYOB serves alcohol! [Foobooz]

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June 12, 2006

Just Be Happy Blogs Didn't Exist When The Noid Was Around

If you've been near a television in the past few months, you've most certainly seen the ads for Comast cable Internet starring "The Slowskys," a husband-and-wife turtle team who uses Verizon DSL because it's much slower for them. (This is what happens when corporations have rap feuds.)

As you've probably guessed it by now, The Slowskys have a blog. (Read it before it's on Blinq tomorrow!) It includes such incredible entries as these:

I love going to the dentist. Well actually, I should clarify that. I love the waiting room at the dentist. Those dentists really have it figured out. I love the waiting room so much, in fact, that it’s becoming problematic. I’ve started making appointments every couple weeks. They keep telling me I’m being excessive, and I keep telling them I eat a lot of candy.

Well, they've captured blogging quite well. Almost perfectly, actually. But that's not all! Comcast has also set up an AOL Instant Messenger chat bot you can chat with. Just like Barbaro! Here's an interview with the aforementioned Slowskys:

pwddmac: Hello!

theslowskys: Hi there!
pwddmac: Do you know Barbaro?
theslowskys: Tell me about it. I'm waiting. Which is nice.
pwddmac: Barbaro is a horse. He talks, too.
theslowskys: are you speaking lizard?
pwddmac: No, I'm speaking English, like Joe Vento wants us to. You can't order a cheesesteak in lizard.
theslowskys: I'm slow but not that steady. Can you ask me something else?
pwddmac: What's your name?
theslowskys: Are you asking about my <person/&rt; ?
pwddmac: YOU'RE A WORSE CHAT BOT THAN BARBARO!
theslowskys: Thanks.
pwddmac: You're an idiot.
theslowskys: I'm a turtle.

Truly, blogging and the Internet are the wave of the future.

The Slowskys
Waiters Anonymous [The Slowskys Blog]
Archives: Barbaro

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June 08, 2006

Reason #4,582 Comcast Is Too Expensive

Comcast is comparing the cost of its service to that of farm animals.

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June 01, 2006

Blogicized: Poetic Philadelphia

• Sometimes, you just need a sestina about Philadelphia. [The Trouble With Spikol]

• What really gets the Inquirer excited is definitely new bus maps from the Center City District. Now Philadelphia's transportation system is perfect! [Blinq]

• Comcast will allow its flagship sports network on satellite if you simply sign this online petition. Or not. When you're done that, though, be sure to vote if you've seen a UFO. [Welcome to Phillyville]

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February 24, 2006

Is it REALLY a protest without a giant rat?

Outside at lunch, in front of the clothespin:

Wow. Now Comcast is just flaunting it. Pays to be the biggest, I guess.

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February 08, 2006

The $100,000 pyramid of competition

We all have our own personal love-hate affair with Comcast. For one, it's a large company and it decided to stay in Philly when it could have left (yay jobs!) and the new DVR service is pretty damn good and they've actually improved customer service in the last few years. But, of course, cable service is soon going to be about $750 a month and, hey, they're Comcast.

For most of us, there's not really a choice. You could go with a dish, but without cable you can't get local sports (okay, not a problem for some) and cable is what we grew up with, and goddammit, we're not going to change! And so we all have whatever provider is in our area, which is Comcast for most of us. (I pity you Urban Cableworks customers. Even Comcast's on-screen menu is easier to navigate.)

One community in Bucks County, though, is offering a competitor to Comcast cable. The board of the borough of Hulmeville -- population 893 (no, really) -- voted Monday night to allow Verizon to set up fiber-optic cable services for its customers.

Verizon promises 330 digital cable channels. No word if they'll have Comcast SportsNet, but take a guess. The board signed a 15-year agreement with the phone company and will get five percent of gross revenues. Comcast gave Hulmeville $37,500 last year.

Competition is good, right? But, uhm, Verizon? If its cable service is anything like its wireless telephone operation, be ready to spend a lot of time with channels randomly dropping out. And how many, exactly, of the 339 households in Hulmeville (also true) are going to get Verizon cable service? Will there be a customer base of three in the town? Four, maybe?

Verizon brings cable competition to borough [BCCT]
Hulmeville, Pennsylvania [Wikipedia]

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