Comcast Roundup: CEO eyes paid video streaming, Time Warner deal and More

Every Thursday morning, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said two big things this week.
You’re gonna pay for online viewing of TV content and, yeah, this economy still sucks.
Roberts joined a growing group of cable company executives who are calling for a China Wall around online-streaming cable content, as Media Post News reported. They’re calling it an “era of authentication,” in which you won’t be able to pop in to watch episodes of your favorite gardening shows unless you prove you’re paying customer of HGTV. Time Warner and other top chiefs are mostly seen as on board — only technology and implementation stand in the way. The same obstacles for my jet pack.
Roberts also let us in on a little secret. The decline in consumer spending is still rattling Comcast here in the second quarter, as MarketWatch reported. Others have pointed to other reasons for the struggles, but those problems don’t seem to be disappearing anytime soon. Folks aren’t necessarily ditching their service any quicker, Roberts says, it’s just that no one else is calling up.
As if that wasn’t enough buzz, Roberts got some residual ink about the Time Warner deal from the Philly swoop by Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who said he and Roberts are gal pals.
After the jump, what if Comcast bought TimeWarner, at least somebody cares about hockey and five other Comcast stories the truly faithful would read.
Other stories in order of importance for your ease:

• The Inquirer’s Joe Distefano reports speculation about a blockbuster deal in which Comcast could purchase a recently trimmed Time Warner. A lot of questions remain, and, yes, Distefano let the Wall Street Journal spin the yarn.
• The Business Journal reports on an agreement between Comcast and the NHL Network, which would add the hockey channel to Comcast’s Digital Classic service tier before the sport’s next season. If you need to know when that begins, ask a Canadian … or Sean Blanda. This after Comcast reached its deal with the NFL Network following a contentious battle.
• As we tweeted earlier, the Wall Street Journal profiles Frank Eliason of comcastcares. The New York Times swiped this last summer and the Inquirer? Well, he’d have to get some love there. See Eliason’s blog to read his thoughts on the attention.
• The Silicon Valley Insider gives round two of why Comcast should be worrying about Hulu. Via PhillyTechNews.
• Cable Digital News reports that the Colorado-based “asset delivery” systems specialist Radiance Technologies, which Comcast Media Center bought for $5 million in late 2008, is moving to a new digital ad delivery platform. Someone wants a return on their investment.
• Slash Gear gives word to rumors of Comcast moving their Internet service up to 100Mbps. Just details.

When there is just too much Comcast news to follow, the Comcast Roundup will be there to fill your every Comcast desire or fantasy.