Comcast Roundup: Al Franken still hates NBC deal, ’30 Rock’ will stay on and More

Every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST, find all the stories you need to know about your friendly telecommunications giant in the Comcast Roundup. Get an e-mail subscription for our Comcast news updates.

DEFINITE READS

• Ars Technica reports that Sen. Al Franken, perhaps the most vocal critic of the NBC deal, again voiced his frustration with the proposed deal.
• Broadcasting & Cable reports that Comcast outlined its program access philosophy to regulators of its NBC deal. H/T Philly Tech News
• The Wall Street Journal reports on the last minute bombarding of the FCC by Comcast opponents regarding the NBC deal. [Paywall]

Below, is Hulu headed toward an IPO, a Philly product rollout and more.

MIGHT BE OF INTEREST

• The Wall Street Journal says Comcast ownership of NBC won’t deter TV show ’30 Rock’ from poking fun at its parent company.
• The New York Times reports that Hulu could be ready for an IPO, news for a service that NBC owns nearly a third of.
• The Washington Post has a feature on ‘the FCC and the bandwidth wars.’
• The Comcast blog pledges its intention to offer Blackberry and other smart phone options for its mobile DVR controlling applications, which currently exist on iPhones and other Apple devices.
• Lightreading reports that Comcast is using hometown Philadelphia as one of the first markets for its switched digital video, an option to limit its broadband use.

GIVE A GLANCE

• The LA Times reports that former Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner and Comcast programming chief Jeff Shell are in the running to lead the Tribune Co. after bankruptcy.
• Trading Markets reports that Comcast was highlighted by Latina Style Magazine as one of the country’s 50 companies offering the most employment opportunities for Hispanics for the fourth consecutive year.
• The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Comcast has taken a lease on 43,000 square feet at the Bell Atlantic Tower on Arch Street near 17th Street.
• The Comcast blog has a video interview with Boston Globe technology columnist Hiawatha Bray.
• The Jersey Journal reports that some Comcast subscribers there will need new cable boxes for a digital upgrade.

When there is just too much Comcast news to follow, the Comcast Roundup will be there every Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. EST