Comcast Corp - CMCSA STOCK NEWS

Comcast has announced a major network expansion project in Radford, VA, aiming to connect nearly 10,000 new homes and businesses to high-speed Internet services. The construction is underway, with the first connections expected in early 2025, bringing Xfinity and Comcast Business services to the area for the first time.

This expansion is part of Comcast's broader investment in Virginia, including projects in Lynchburg (12,000 homes), Christiansburg (13,700 homes), and Strasburg (3,300 homes). The network will provide gigabit Internet speeds with 99.9% reliability and built-in security features. The company will offer its full suite of Xfinity products including Internet, video, mobile, voice, and home security services, along with Comcast Business solutions for local enterprises.

Roku and FreeWheel have expanded their programmatic partnership, enabling Roku's premium inventory, including The Roku Channel, to be available to FreeWheel demand partners through Roku Exchange. The new real-time bidding integration allows programmatic platforms to access Roku's content, reaching over 85.5 million streaming households.

The partnership aims to break down silos across the supply chain and improve the CTV marketplace through interoperability, data collaboration, and signals. FreeWheel clients will gain access to inventory across Roku's app ecosystem and The Roku Channel, enabling advertisers to optimize and scale their campaigns alongside FreeWheel's premium inventory for enhanced ad-supported streaming experiences.

Comcast Business has announced an agreement to acquire Nitel, a Chicago-based managed services provider, from Cinven private equity firm. Nitel specializes in network-as-a-service (NaaS), providing advanced managed services and connectivity solutions to 6,600 enterprise customers across the U.S., particularly in financial services, healthcare, and education sectors.

The acquisition aims to enhance Comcast Business' capabilities in connectivity, global secure networking, and advanced technology, strengthening its position in managed services and expanding its enterprise customer base. Nitel's expertise in integrated managed network and security solutions, along with specialized cloud-based services, will complement Comcast Business' advanced connectivity portfolio.

Nex and Universal Products & Experiences have launched 'DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda: Train Like a Master', exclusively available on the Nex Playground console. The game features characters from the DreamWorks Animation films, including Po and the Furious Five, allowing players aged 6 and up to learn Kung Fu moves through five challenging game modes.

Players can train alongside movie characters, unlock new powers, and compete in The Arena as they progress from apprentice to master. The game joins Nex Playground's expanding library of family-friendly content, alongside partnerships with major brands like Hasbro, Mattel, and Sesame Workshop. The console is available for purchase through Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart online and select retail locations.

Comcast has completed a network expansion connecting over 2,400 new homes and businesses across six Minnesota cities - Cologne, Corcoran, Grant, Hugo, Rogers, and Stillwater Township. The expansion brings Xfinity and Comcast Business services, including Internet, mobile, entertainment, and security services to these communities for the first time.

The project is part of Comcast's broader investment in Minnesota, which includes over $525 million in technology and infrastructure over the past three years. Additional expansions in Chanhassen and Nowthen are underway and scheduled for completion in 2025. The network offers multi-gigabit Internet speeds with 99.9% reliability and built-in security features.

Comcast NBCUniversal is celebrating Native American Heritage Month 2024 with diverse programming and initiatives. Xfinity has curated a special collection featuring Indigenous talent, including the award-winning documentary 'Bad River' co-narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse. The collection includes content from guest editors like Lily Gladstone and partnerships with organizations such as AISES and Illuminative.

NBCUniversal is showcasing Indigenous talent across its platforms, featuring performers like Tokala Black Elk and Chaske Spencer. Through Project UP, Comcast is advancing digital equity by partnering with Native American organizations, including creating enhanced Lift Zones at NAYA's campus and supporting technology initiatives with the Trickster Cultural Center.

The company is also hosting employee events featuring speakers like Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota tribe member, to promote understanding of Native culture and enhance allyship.

Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) have announced comprehensive distribution agreements for Xfinity and Sky UK customers. The deal includes:

1. Renewal of WBD's linear cable networks distribution for Xfinity TV (including TNT, TBS, CNN, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, TLC, and Investigation Discovery)

2. Continued HBO carriage and expanded rights for ad-supported versions of Max and Discovery+ in streaming bundles

3. Enhanced partnership with Sky UK and Ireland, featuring the integration of Max's ad-supported app when launched in early 2026, bundled for Sky and NOW customers

The agreements strengthen content distribution across linear television, apps, and streaming services, though financial terms were not disclosed.

Comcast Advertising's latest annual report highlights the challenges and trends in multiscreen TV advertising as advertisers plan for 2025. Over half of advertisers find maximizing reach and frequency their biggest challenge. The report shows a 39% YoY growth in ad views using audience targeting for streaming campaigns, with 56% of advertisers willing to increase video ad spend if better measurement and optimization are provided. Key insights include 97% of advertisers planning to maintain or increase streaming TV spend, while 74% say the same for traditional TV. Addressable TV is becoming a 'must-buy' for 53% of advertisers, and programmatic ad use has grown by 15% YoY. Additionally, 76% of advertisers prioritize viewer experience, 82% targeting capabilities, and 88% content quality when planning campaigns. The report predicts that success in 2025 will depend on good data, media, and technology, with live events and programmatic activation playing significant roles.

Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) has premiered 'Our Blues Makes Us Gold', a new documentary about North Carolina A&T State University, exclusively on Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play. The feature-length film, created by filmmakers Brandon Gerard and Ashley Shanté, showcases the university's position as both a STEM education powerhouse and historical agricultural institution.

The documentary is available for free through Comcast's Black Experience, a content destination launched in 2021 featuring Black storytelling across Xfinity's entertainment devices, including X1, Flex and Xumo Stream Box, as well as on Xumo Play, a free ad-supported streaming TV app.