Comcast to Bring Four New Independent Minority-Owned Networks to Consumers

Today, we announced the selection of four new minority-owned independent networks that will be broadly distributed on Comcast Cable systems beginning this April. We're thrilled to be working with talents like NBA Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson, superstar entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs, legendary Hollywood director Robert Rodriguez, and Spanish language TV veteran Constantino "Said" Schwarz.

These new independent networks were selected after a thorough review of more than 100 proposals. They will bring exciting and fresh content to Comcast's consumers. The networks are:

• Aspire: Launching this summer and led by Magic Johnson, this network will celebrate the successes, achievements and accomplishments of the African American Community with programming including movies, documentaries, short films, music and comedies.
• REVOLT: Proposed by Diddy Combs and MTV veteran Andy Schuon, REVOLT's programming will be inspired by music and pop culture with social media interaction for music artists and fans. It will launch in 2013.
• El Rey: Proposed by Robert Rodriguez with John Fogelman and Cristina Patway from FactoryMade Ventures, El Rey will be an action-packed general entertainment network for Latino and general audiences.
• BabyFirst Americas: Launching this April after being proposed by Constantino Schwarz, this network is designed for infants and young children and their parents with a focus on early development.

With these new networks, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to independent programming with diverse voices, management, and ownership. This builds on our strong, ongoing record of corporate diversity.

Next week, on February 28, we'll issue our first Annual Report to the FCC on the NBCUniversal transaction. Comcast made a series of voluntary public interest commitments in connection with the deal, including launching 10 new independently owned and operated networks over the next eight years. Of the 10 networks, four will be majority African-American owned, two will be majority American Latino owned, two will be operated by American Latino programmers, and two will provide additional independent programming. Ultimately, each of the 10 networks will be added on certain Comcast systems as part of the digital basic tier of service.

With today's announcement of these first four networks, we are already ahead of schedule in fulfilling the independent programming commitments. We've also gone above and beyond in our commitments to enhance diversity in various areas including governance, workforce recruitment and development, procurement, programming, and community investment and partnerships. From creating a Joint Diversity Advisory Council of national diverse leaders in business, entertainment, and civil rights; appointing two new minority directors to the Comcast Board; focusing on recruiting and leadership programs on diverse talent; expanding our already robust supplier diversity program; increasing investment in the communities we serve; and carrying and supporting more diverse programming, we are successfully carrying out the commitments we made during the NBCUniversal transaction.

We look forward to celebrating these new networks at a Washington, DC event at the Newseum in early March. This is a historic milestone in the launch of diverse independent programming coming to Comcast Cable systems.