Comcast wrestles an Olympic dilemma | Business Weekly Newsletter
Philadelphia-based Comcast broadcasts the Olympics, a South Jersey aluminum plant eyes a rebirth, and Gov. Wolf seeks to fund $225 million in small business grants.
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The Olympics are underway in China and broadcaster NBCUniversal, a division of Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp., is airing the games. Comcast is in the spotlight to see how it will handle Beijing’s controversial record on human rights while covering the Games. Inquirer Reporter Joseph DiStefano covers the fine line the telecom giant is walking.
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— Ezequiel Minaya(@zekeminyana, business@inquirer.com)
(@zekeminyana, business@inquirer.com)
Comcast’s NBC network broadcast the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics Games early Friday. With the world watching, Comcast is facing challenges on every front, with advocates for the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hong Kong, and Taiwan residents demanding attention for legitimate concerns, while the government exacts obedience with its invasive surveillance system.
Topping it off, Comcast must contend with significant homebound problems: a traditional television audience that’s declining, and the fact that the Games will play out at inconvenient times for American and European viewers.
“Comcast is in a tough spot here,” said Craig Moffett, a veteran media analyst at the research firm MoffettNathanson. “It wasn’t their choice to host the Games in Beijing. … Now Comcast has to deal with the fallout.”
Read more about Comcast and the Beijing Olympics.
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