Comcast Roundup: Comcast knew about Leno’s ratings, NBC deal a “probably” 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

• The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Comcast-Spectacor will buy ticketing company Paciolan, which Ticketmaster has to spin off to win approval from the U.S. Justice Department for its merger with Live Nation.
• Reuters reports that Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the U.S. Senate’s communications and technology subcommittee, said oversight of the Comcast-NBC deal can “probably” be resolved.
• Bloomberg reports that NBC had warned Comcast in November that Jay Leno’s ratings were hurting local stations, a major factor in the controversy surrounding moving Leno and releasing Conan O’Brien. H/T Philly Tech News

After the jump, what Comcast would trade for SportsNet, notes from the State of the Net speech and More.

MIGHT BE WORTH YOUR TIME

• The Washington Post reports that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts was ‘touting’ his deal with NBC Universal, though heavy federal oversight remains. The Associated Press reports that Comcast has some ‘splaining to do to make the deal happen.
• The Inquirer’s Bob Fernandez reports that after the FCC determined Comcast couldn’t keep its SportsNet off satellite TV, Comcast exec David L. Cohen was on WIP 610 saying the company would challenge the decision.
• The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Comcast would essentially trade access to its SportsNet for DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket programming.
• Business Week reports that Roberts also shared his frustration with being unable to get involved with the NBC Late Night controversy around hosts Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien.
• Comcast’s corporate blog shares some notes from Roberts State of the Net conference speech.

GIVE A GLANCE

• Multichannel News reports that Comcast Cable has hired Neil Smit, formerly CEO of Charter Communications, to handle the company’s cable business operations. H/T PTN
• MediaWeek reports that the company has launched a new sales initiative called Comcast Digital Entertainment.

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