NBCUniversal Parent Comcast Showcases Tech Chops With Help From Kenan Thompson, Seth Meyers At Philly Event

Jill Goldsmith
·4 min read
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Comcast hosted about 300 at its Philadelphia headquarters Tuesday to highlight the technology side of its business, one that’s less covered than entertainment but sets it apart from media rivals, and gives its content an attractive home.

The vibe at the first Comcast Converge was a bit upfront-ish, hosted by SNL’s Keenan Thompson for a New York contingent that’s not part of Comcast’s footprint including financial analysts, press and partners. “Technology has definitely changed how people watch [SNL],” said Thompson. “Fans will still come up to me and say they saw me on TV last night. But just as many folks say, ‘I saw you on YouTube,’ or ‘I loved you on Instagram.’ Or ‘You were very funny on Black-ish. I tell them that it’s not me, it’s Anthony Anderson, and at least they can Google ‘Who is Anthony Anderson’.”

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There were Gritty jokes and Wawa jokes, a nice connectivity ad produced by Kathryn Bigelow, and alluring spots of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris, of which Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said, “There’s no better example of how our whole company works well together.”

Seth Meyers (of Late Night With Seth Myers) beamed in virtually. So “2014 might not seem that long ago, but back then we didn’t even have the capacity to “thumbs up” a text message — you had to take a photograph of your thumb and send it.”

“Ten year ago, my appliances didn’t know each other. Last year, my toaster and my fridge celebrated their third wedding anniversary.”

“Ten years ago, kids just learned how to read and write. Now they are learning how to tell AI to do it for them.”

Roberts seemed moved during his remarks at the Ralph J Roberts Forum, named after his late father who “founded Comcast in 1963 with just 1,200 subscribers.” He called the space at Comcast’s center city campus “the heart and soul of the technology center, and maybe the whole company.”

Comcast, he wanted to stress, has “a culture that has successfully embraced change.”

“I don’t know what the next 10 years are going to look like. But I know that we have a pretty amazing starting place,” he said.

“We’re betting on a future that has way more connectivity.”

Connectivity — broadband, wireless, WiFi — is keeping Comcast solidly positioned even as linear subscribers fall away and shifts in the media landscape rattle peers like Paramount Global, Warner Bros Discovery and Disney. Deep pockets mean the company is always seen as a prospective buyer in deal speculation, of which there’s been a lot lately.

Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in full from GE in 2013. It was thwarted in a hostile takeover attempt for Disney in 2004. It also bid against Disney for 20th Century Fox in 2018.

Roberts and president Mike Cavanagh say they look at everything but are fine with Comcast’s assets as is. The company posted a strong fourth quarter and 2023 last month — “returned $16 billion to shareholders last year, invested heavily in new products and raised its dividend for the 16th year running,” said Roberts. “I don’t think too many companies on the planet can say that.” Peacock’s landmark AFC Wild Card game in January was a major Internet moment and drove paid signups to the streaming service.

Dave Watson, CEO of Comcast Cable, kicked off today’s presentations by a stream of executives on products and services, ad tech and security, voice remotes, Xfinity, 10G (Gbps, or broadband connections) and its ongoing push to give customers new features, faster service and a clearer picture.

The Paris Olympics, set for July 26-August 11, were top of mind for Roberts.

“For 17 days, we put aside our differences globally in our society … I think I speak for a whole lot of people when I say the world could use that inspiration right now. After a few difficult years due to Covid, stadiums will be full for the first time since 2018. The opening ceremony will be unlike any other as athletes arrive floating down the Seine — teams are traveling by boat this time — with fans cheering along the banks. Beach volleyball will be at the Eiffel Tower. Equestrian will be at the magnificent Versailles. Surfing from Tahiti.”

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