Big Comcast news. No, not that news. But while the rest of the world waits for white smoke to bellow out of 30 Rock’s chimney, signaling a union between the cable titan and NBC Universal, Comcast announced the extension of an agreement with TV Guide Network on Friday. The deal is a multi-year carriage agreement that will bring Comcast customers TV Guide’s original programming and comprehensive program listings.
“Comcast is pleased to bring our customers the comprehensive lineup of programming TV Guide Network provides viewers,” Matthew Strauss, senior vice president of new media for Comcast, said in a statement. “We continue to offer our customers unparalleled choices and the best viewing experience.”
Providing Comcast customers with our programming is an important step in our plans for the transformation of the TV Guide Network,” Allen Shapiro, chairman of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com, added.
Under its new ownership by Lionsgate and One Equity Partners, TV Guide Network has overhauled its programming in recent months. It announced the basic cable acquisition of the HBO comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which will begin airing on TV Guide Network starting in 2010. It also acquired the exclusive basic cable off-network rights to “Ugly Betty,” which is currently airing on TV Guide Network.
(Note to readers: Josef Adalian is sick and won’t be posting until he’s better. TheWrap staff will be filing to TVMoJoe until he returns.)
