Comcast to Launch 81 New TV Networks in Sacramento as Part of Its XFINITY TV Service

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast's California Region today announced that it will launch 81 new TV networks for customers in Sacramento, including 61 high-definition (HD) networks, 14 international premium networks and six standard definition channels (see complete list of networks and channel numbers below).  The new channel launches will take place in two waves – the first today and the second wave in August.  Twenty communities in the Capital Region (see complete list of cities below) will now have access to more than 4,000 HD choices as part of a growing XFINITY TV lineup that has expanded as a result of Comcast's recent digital upgrade of customers from analog to digital.  

Earlier this year, Comcast began a digital initiative offering digital upgrades to Expanded Basic customers to migrate from analog to digital, and converting channels 31 and above to a digitally delivered format. Comcast's digital migration reclaimed analog bandwidth to allow the company to provide more products and services to customers, such as faster Internet speeds, more channels and more ON DEMAND content.  Comcast has completed the digital migration in the San Francisco Bay Area, but is continuing the project in other portions of Central California, and those areas will receive the new XFINITY TV programming in subsequent phases later this summer.

"We've heard from customers that they can't get enough HD and multicultural programming, so we're excited to exponentially increase our offering of those networks and give even more value to our customers as part of our digital upgrade," said Curt Henninger, Senior Vice President of Comcast's California Region. "These channel launches are about delivering on Comcast's promise to customers that by converting to digital, we could offer more of the products and services they want, right away."

Beginning today, the new programming will be available to residential homes and businesses in the following cities: Sacramento, Antelope, Camino, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Davis, Elk Grove, Elverta, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Galt, Gold River, Manteca, Mather, North Highlands, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova, Rescue, Roseville and Rio Linda. Davis and Roseville were already carrying some of the HD networks.

The new HD networks will include: AMC HD, Animal Planet HD, BET HD, Biography Channel HD, Bravo HD, Cartoon Network HD, CMT HD, CNBC HD, CNN HD, CNN Headline News HD, Comedy Central HD, Disney XD HD, E! HD, Encore HD, ESPN 3D, ESPN News HD, ESPNU HD, Fox News Channel HD, Fuse HD, FX-West HD, G4 HD, Hallmark Channel HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, HBO Comedy HD, HBO Latino HD, HBO Zone HD, History Channel HD, HSN HD, IFC HD, ION HD, Lifetime HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, MGM HD, MLB Network HD, MSNBC HD, MTV HD,  NBA League Pass Team HD, NBA TV HD, NFL RedZone HD, NHL Network HD, Nickelodeon HD, Planet Green HD, QVC HD, Spike HD, Starz Comedy HD, Starz Edge HD, Starz Kids and Family HD, Style HD, TCM Turner Classic Movies HD, Tennis Channel HD, Thriller MAX HD, ActionMAX HD, Travel Channel HD, truTV HD, TV One HD, VH1 HD, WE HD, The Weather Channel HD, and two NHL/MLB League Pass HD networks.

In addition to these new HD Channels, Comcast continues to deliver more HD content ON DEMAND, so customers can watch HD when they want to watch it. With more than 4,000 HD choices, Comcast is delivering the HD programming that aligns with what consumers want to watch and how they want to watch it.

Customers who do not receive HD channels will have new programming options as well.  Six new standard definition (SD) networks are launching – college sports channel ESPN U, art and culture network Ovation TV, The Africa Channel, Nat Geo Wild, CMT Pure Country, and English-language Latino network Si TV.  Fourteen new international premium networks will be available including Antenna Satellite (Greek), Band Internacional (Brazilian), C1R (Russian), Deutsche Welle (German), GMA Life (Filipino), MYX, PFC 100% Futebol (Brazilian), RTPi (Portuguese), STAR India GOLD (South Asian), STAR India NEWS (South Asian), STAR ONE (South Asian), TV Globo (Brazilian), tvK (Korean) and VIJAY (South Asian).

In addition to the new networks, approximately 100 additional international and HD networks are changing channel numbers in order to standardize channel lineups across the state, and to group together genres of programming as well as channels that share a similar language or country of origin (see list of networks and channel numbers below).

As Comcast rolls out its digital upgrade, the company has provided up to three pieces of digital equipment for impacted customers at no additional cost, enabling them to continue receiving existing channels along with new networks and the many other benefits of Comcast Digital TV. Customers can call 1-877-634-4434 or visit www.comcast.com/digitalnow to get their free digital equipment and learn more about the upgrade.

The following lists can also be found at http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com

* Will launch or move in second wave in August.

CHANNEL CHANGES

Several networks are changing channel numbers in order to standardize channel lineups across the state, and to group together genres of programming as well as channels that share a similar language or country of origin.

*  Will launch or move in second wave in August.

All remaining HD channels will move from their slots in 900 channel range to their corresponding channel number in the 700 channel range in August.  For example, "KCRA NBC 3  HD" will move from Channel 903 to Channel 703.  In addition, 46 Music Choice Channels (commercial-free music) will move from their spots in the 700 channel range to their corresponding channel number in the 900 channel range in August.  For example, "80s Music" will move from Channel 722 to Channel 922.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communication products and services. With 23.5 million cable customers, 16.3 million high-speed Internet customers, and 7.9 million Comcast Digital Voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, 11 regional sports networks operated by Comcast Sports Group and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet businesses, including Comcast.net (www.comcast.net). Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, which owns two professional sports teams, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, and a large, multipurpose arena in Philadelphia, the Wachovia Center, and manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.

Comcast's California Region, based in Livermore, California, serves more than 2.3 million customers in Northern and Central California.  Comcast employs more than 7,000 local residents across the region.

SOURCE Comcast