Comcast (CMCSA) disclosed at a Citigroup conference that it had a net gain of video customers in Q4, the first time in 6.5 years it has not had a net quarterly loss of video subscribers, sending the cable firm’s stock rising. At a Citigroup conference in Las Vegas, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts didn’t say how many video subscribers Comcast added. He said Comcast “modestly” grew video subscribers in Q4. UBS analyst John Hodulik now estimates a gain of
TV programmer Viacom (VIA) stands to gain as Nielsen (NLSN), ComScore and others develop better ways to measure online audiences and mobile viewing, says Cowen & Co. Media and pay-TV companies such as Comcast (CMCSA) have been pushing research companies to develop online audience measuring tools for advertising purposes. Consumers have been shifting from traditional broadcast TV to Internet video and subscription services such as Netflix. More
Aereo has good reason to worry about any war of attrition with broadcasters. Even if the TV-over-Internet startup wins its legal battle vs. ABC, CBS (CBS), Fox and NBC, there’s a good chance Congress would then step in, analysts say. Aereo, which has won two federal court rulings, on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear TV broadcasters’ appeal. ABC owner Walt Disney (DIS), CBS, Twenty-First Century Fox (FOXA) and NBC owner Comcast (CMCSA)