Comcast Looks to Assist in Digital Transition

PHILADELPHIA, October 9: Comcast Corporation wants to help
U.S. consumers with the transition to digital this February, offering up a
year’s worth of free basic cable to people who sign up for the company’s phone
or Internet services.

The offer is part of Comcast’s “Get Ready” initiative to get
consumers who don’t have digital TV yet on board before the February 17, 2009
analogue switch-off. New customers who choose not to subscribe to additional
Comcast services can get basic cable for $10 a month for a full year.

The basic cable tier delivers 20 to 30 channels, including
the broadcast networks, teleshopping and local public TV stations. Comcast
basic cable does not require the purchase of any new equipment for cable-ready
TVs, so consumers can continue to use their existing TVs and remote controls.

“The simple fact is that basic cable is the easiest path
through the digital transition and now consumers can get it for free,” said
Derek Harrar, the general manager and senior VP of video services for Comcast.
“With one call to 1-800-COMCAST, we can professionally install basic cable
service on every cable-ready TV and will deliver more channels with no new
boxes, no new remote, no antennas and no reception issues. DTV is a landmark
event in the history of television and we’re doing everything we can to help.”

Comcast is also helping consumers get through the transition
with a dedicated website; educational partnerships with local governments,
local broadcasters and third-party organizations; and an educational
advertising initiative that has aired almost 6 million TV messages on the
transition. There are an estimated 13 million U.S. homes using analogue TV
sets.

—By Mansha Daswani