Comcast Looks to Add Minority Networks to Lineup

PHILADELPHIA: In a bid to fulfill its commitment to up its slate of minority-run networks, Comcast Corporation today laid out plans to roll out ten new independent channels on its platform over the next eight years, with eight that are Hispanic and African American owned or operated.

Comcast made a number of public-interest commitments as it was working to gain regulatory clearance for its takeover of NBC Universal, which was finally granted earlier this year.

“Comcast is committed to providing opportunities for diverse businesses to expand and grow,” said David Jensen, VP of content acquisition for Comcast. “We look forward to considering a number of fresh and viable programming proposals from Hispanic and African American programmers to create new channels that will complement the robust lineup of programming choices we already offer our customers.”

Comcast is currently accepting proposals for three of the ten channels. The first, slated to launch by July 28, 2012, will be American Latino operated and programmed in English. The other two will be majority African American owned and will launch by January 28, 2013. Each of the ten networks will be added on select Comcast systems as part of the D1 digital tier. Comcast has pledged that of the ten channels, four will be majority African American owned, two will be majority Hispanic owned and two will be operated by American Latino programmers. The news follows Comcast’s expanded carriage deal for Mnet, the only 24/7 English-language nationwide television network in the U.S. targeting Asian Americans and fans of Asian pop culture.