Dave Watson: Last News

Comcast has promoted Steve Croney to a newly created role as chief operating officer for the domestic businesses of its Connectivity & Platforms segment that serves more than 32 million customers. 

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Comcast, as its legacy cable TV business continues to shrink, has built a new cable-style bundle for the streaming era. This month, the cable giant will launch StreamSaver, a package that includes NBCUniversal’s Peacock Premium (with ads), Netflix Basic (with ads) and Apple TV+ for one discounted price, available to TV and broadband customers in its footprint. As an add-on to Comcast TV or broadband, the StreamSaver bundle will cost $15 per month — a 30%-plus discount compared with the services sold separately.

Comcast is rolling out Now TV, a streaming offering aimed at what it calls “the value-conscious consumer who wants an entertainment product.”

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor With cord-cutting at an all-time high, Comcast is introducing a new streaming subscription option to keep broadband customers in the video fold. On Tuesday, Comcast announced Now TV, a new streaming offering that includes more than 40 live cable entertainment channels from A+E Networks, AMC, Hallmark and Warner Bros. Discovery — but no local broadcast TV or sports channels — plus 20-plus integrated free, ad-supported television (FAST) channels from NBC, Sky and Xumo Play. In addition. Now TV includes a bundled subscription to Peacock Premium with ads. Now TV will be available to Comcast’s Xfinity Internet customers within the next few weeks, priced at $20 per month. Now TV does not require an additional set-top box and lets customers sign up or cancel at any time.

BreAnna Bell Comcast Corporation has promoted Mike Cavanagh to president, making him the third person to occupy the role in the company’s 59-year history. He will continue to serve as chief financial officer in addition to working closely with chairman-CEO Brian Roberts on managing the company’s cable and broadband operations as well as NBCUniversal. “Today’s promotion will come as no surprise – Mike is admired and trusted by those who know and work with him,” Roberts said. “Mike has brought incredible operational and financial expertise to Comcast and is an integral part of our special company. He’s an outstanding partner and together we are focused on continuing to create new and exciting opportunities for growth.”  

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorThe streaming joint venture between Comcast and Charter Communications — which is aiming to create a U.S.-wide aggregated streaming device platform — doesn’t have a name. But now it has a leader: The two cable operators announced Marcien Jenckes, who’s been with Comcast since 2010, will lead the JV.In the new role, Jenckes will focus on leading the team and developing the business and monetization models, Comcast and Charter said.

Comcast and Charter, the top two cable TV operators in the U.S., are forming a streaming joint venture based on Comcast’s popular Xfinity Flex devices.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorComcast and Charter Communications, the two biggest cable operators in the U.S., are joining forces in the streaming wars.The two companies on Wednesday announced a 50-50 joint venture to develop and offer a next-generation streaming platform on a variety of branded 4K streaming devices and smart TVs to reach customers in major markets across the country with the platform.Comcast will license Flex, its aggregated streaming platform and hardware to the JV, contribute the retail business for XClass TVs, and contribute Xumo, the free, ad-supported streaming service it acquired in 2020. Charter will make an initial contribution of $900 million, funded over multiple years.The XClass TVs will be available through national retail partners and potentially direct from Comcast and Charter to provide more customer choice.

A man has spoken out after being fined £150 for feeding ducks in his local area. James Watson, 68, received a fixed penalty notice from a member of the Kingdom enforcement team on March 12 at 9.53am for "throwing bird food on the ground and walking away".