Comcast Assembles Rapid Response Teams to Help Consumers Get Through the DTV Transition
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), the nation's leading provider of entertainment, communications and information, today announced that it has assembled rapid response installation teams around the country to help consumers who are still unprepared for the digital broadcast transition (DTV). As the country approaches the June 12 DTV transition, consumers can call Comcast and have video service installed within 24-48 hours to continue watching their favorite television shows.
Starting June 12, all full-power broadcast stations are required to switch to digital-only broadcasting and consumers should take action now to get ready and get educated about their options or any anticipated issues they may experience with the switch to digital. With the Comcast Rapid Response Teams, the company is offering an easy and fast solution for consumers that use "rabbit ears" or rooftop antennas and may not be ready for the DTV transition. Millions of U.S. Households are still not ready for the transition*, and even households that have taken steps to prepare may experience signal reception problems following the transition to digital broadcasting. The Comcast Rapid Response Teams will assist consumers through the DTV transition by getting those who choose Comcast installed within 24-48 hours.
"One and done - that's our DTV approach. One call to Comcast and we make sure consumers can continue watching TV, for as little as free," said Derek Harrar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video, Comcast Cable. "Whether they're daunted by what they have to do, or they're having reception issues with their new digital receiver or digital TV, call Comcast and our Rapid Response Teams will ensure their TV service works perfectly."
Comcast is offering a low-cost solution that includes free basic cable for 12 months for new customers who sign up for at least one additional Comcast service. New customers who choose not to subscribe to an additional Comcast service can get basic cable for just $10 a month for a full year. Current customers can add basic cable to additional TVs at no additional monthly fee. Basic cable in most areas has 20-30 channels, including broadcast (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, Univision, PBS), shopping and local neighborhood public television channels. Since no antenna is needed, choosing cable eliminates the worry about potential reception problems associated with using an antenna following the transition.
Several stations have already made the switch to digital or plan to soon, and depending on consumers' choice of an over-the-air solution, they may experience varying levels of reception from their local broadcasters due to a variety of factors including type of antenna, broadcaster signal strength, as well as terrain (trees, tall buildings, etc). To help consumers learn more, the FCC has posted an informative and interactive tool that allows consumers to check via zip code which of their favorite local broadcast stations will be available (and at what strength) after the DTV transition. This tool can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/.
To learn more about the digital broadcast transition visit www.comcast.com/dtv. Consumers can also call 1-800-COMCAST to talk about cable service options with a customer care representative.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 24.1 million cable customers, 15.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.8 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.
*Source: May 2009 National study conducted by Nielsen Media Research