Comcast Delivers Historic Presidential Inauguration in Multiple Dimensions
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced that it will deliver a unique and in-depth package of news and information leading up to, and covering, the historic Inauguration Day of the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20. First, for anyone who missed them, Comcast customers today have On Demand access to President-elect Obama's most famous speeches. Second, Comcast Central News, the Company's interactive news mosaic channel will present simultaneous live Inauguration Day coverage from the major cable news channels all on one screen. Third, comcast.net will provide a week-long program of coverage with broadband streaming video, online polls and message boards.
"Comcast lined up our services to provide a comprehensive, all-access pass to one of our country's defining moments," said Derek Harrar, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast. "Technology is a clear priority for the upcoming Obama administration and we're using our technology leadership to deliver the most relevant video, interactive television, On Demand and broadband experience for consumers who want to be engaged leading up to his first day in office."
One Stop Shop for News Junkies*
On a day when the world will turn to their television sets to watch the new President of the United States get sworn into office, Comcast Central's interactive news channel will showcase five windows of rotating, live feeds from the major national cable news networks - CNBC, CNN, CNN Headline News, C-SPAN, FOX News and MSNBC - simultaneously in one place. A sixth window will highlight previous Obama speeches and link viewers to the "Barack Obama" On Demand folder. Customers can access this 24-hour, multi-channel, live mosaic of news programming, every day of the year on channel 960.
Comcast Central's suite of programming also offers similar live broadcasts on a single screen for sports and kids programming. Each feed is the actual live broadcast of a network's video. Using the arrow keys on the remote to highlight a window instantaneously activates sound for that feed. Other Comcast Central features include the ability to switch from multi- to single-network full screen viewing with just one click on the remote.
On Demand - History Lives On
During the days leading up to Inauguration Day, On Demand provides a convenient place for the whole family to watch some of the President-elect's major speeches and at the same time learn more about the White House and its newest residents. On Demand programming includes:
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Barack Obama's inaugural address;
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Barack Obama's most famous speeches to date - from his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 through his election night victory speech in Grant Park;
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Barack Obama biography;
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Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention speech;
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a tour of the White House; and
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the history of Air Force One.
This On Demand content can be found on Channel 1 in "Top Picks" under "Barack Obama" and "White House."
Comcast.net Provides In Depth Access to the Inauguration Online
Comcast.net will offer week-long coverage of events on the Comcast.net News channel, a place that brings together coverage of every aspect of Inauguration Day and the activities surrounding the occasion. Comcast.net will feature On Demand streaming video of the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural address, interactive polls, updated news stories and message boards.
*Comcast Central availability varies by market. Check local listings to confirm availability.
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 24.4 million cable customers, 14.7 million high-speed Internet customers, and 6.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband 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 Comcast SportsNet networks 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.