Comcast Corp

Since Hulu launched early last year, its popularity has quadrupled as millions of people turn to the free online video site to watch episodes of such television shows as "Family Guy," "The Office" and "Modern Family." Some wonder how long the free flow of online video would last if Comcast Corp. ends up a part owner of Hulu. The nation's leading cable company has made no secret of its disdain for Hulu's approach of giving away the shows that Comcast and other pay-TV distributors spend billions for -- and rely on to retain subscribers.

After two decades as owner of one of America's storied broadcasters, and five years operating a fabled movie studio, General Electric Co. appears ready to take a smaller part in show business. The industrial giant, maker of jet engines and wind turbines, is in talks to have cable TV leader Comcast Corp. assume management of NBC Universal, which includes NBC; more than 10 cable channels including Bravo, MSNBC and USA Network; the Universal Pictures movie studio; and the Universal Studios theme parks.

After criticism for allegedly blocking a popular software program for watching video online, Comcast Corp. pledged Thursday not to discriminate against specific technology as it tries to keep increasing amounts of data flowing through its cable networks. But the move may not be enough to keep Comcast, the country's largest cable company, from being disciplined by federal regulators or to resolve a complicated debate about how Internet providers can manage their online traffic.

Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable operator, reported a 54% gain in fourth-quarter profit on solid revenue gains that were boosted by acquisitions and customers' increased spending for cable TV. In a bow to the desires of agitated shareholders unhappy with its weakened stock price, Comcast also said it would start paying a 6.25-cent quarterly dividend beginning at the end of April that is expected to increase over time. Comcast's stock was up $1.43 to $19.24.

In its push to become more than just a cable provider, Comcast Corp. announced Thursday that it had created a group to oversee its growing stable of channels under the direction of a former News Corp. executive. Jeff Shell will join the nation's largest cable operator in May as president of Comcast Programming. The new unit includes cable investments and such channels as E! Entertainment Network, Style, G4, Golf Channel, Outdoor Life Network and regional sports channels.

A Seattle-area woman has sued Comcast Corp. for disclosing her name and contact information. Dawnell Leadbetter said she was contacted by a debt collection agency in January and told to pay $4,500 for downloading copyright-protected music or face a lawsuit. Leadbetter, a mother of two teenage children, was a subscriber to Comcast's high-speed Internet access. She said the agency was able to track her down using information that the Recording Industry Assn.

Comcast Corp.'s Brian Roberts wasn't rolling out the red carpet this week when Walt Disney Co. pulled into Philadelphia for its annual shareholders meeting. In fact, the chief executive of the Philadelphia-based cable giant that has launched an unsolicited takeover bid for Disney wasn't even in town. Roberts and 500 of the company's top brass were huddled at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix for a long-planned three-day retreat.

Now you can suffer rejection in the comfort of your own living room. Cable giant Comcast Corp. will begin airing three-to-five-minute video personals next month as part of its video-on-demand programming in its hometown of Philadelphia. It's perhaps the most open invitation to public ridicule since karaoke. "The goal is not to make anyone look like a dork," said Ken Deckinger, whose speed-dating service, HurryDate, will begin producing the videos this month.

Stephen Burke, president of Comcast Corp.'s cable division, was named to the additional post of chief operating officer of the nation's biggest cable television company. Burke will remain as head of Comcast Cable, which will operate with a restructured leadership team. Before coming to Comcast in 1998, Burke was an executive with Walt Disney Co., where he was president of ABC Broadcasting. Shares of Philadelphia-based Comcast fell 70 cents to $27.26 on Nasdaq.

Comcast Corp. tried to break into the entertainment business as a star. But it's looking as if its best role for now may be a cameo. After losing its $50-billion bid to take over Walt Disney Co. this year, the cable giant is in the thick of Sony Corp.'s proposed purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. -- without putting up a dime. "This is all good for Comcast," said analyst Craig Moffett of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.