Comcast hires a fourth executive VP

After talking for months about the potential for international deals, Comcast Corp. has hired Alexander D. Evans from the $37 billion private-equity firm Providence Equity Partners in Rhode Island.

Evans will be one of four executive vice presidents at Comcast - the others are Steve Burke in NBCUniversal, Neil Smit in the cable division, and David L. Cohen, who supervises government affairs.

A Comcast official said Friday that the hiring was unrelated to speculation Comcast could be looking to acquire Time Warner Cable, the nation's second-largest publicly traded cable TV distributor.

Time Warner Cable stock has soared in recent months on rumors that it could be bought by Charter Communications Inc., Cox Communications, Comcast, or a combination of those companies. The New York Times reported Friday that Charter was preparing a takeover bid for Time Warner Cable.

Comcast has retained JPMorgan to advise it on a potential Time Warner Cable deal, according to a source close to the situation.

Evans, 45, who will have responsibilities at Comcast cable and NBCUniversal, will report to Michael Angelakis, chief financial officer and vice chairman.

Brian Roberts, Comcast chief executive officer and president, recruited Angelakis from Providence Equity several years ago.

Providence Equity has $37 billion under management and has invested in 130 companies over 24 years, according to its website.

Evans most recently served as managing director and head of the firm's New York office in addition to heading the global telecommunications sector.