Comcast Launches 'Best of Philly(R)' On Demand

Comcast Launches 'Best of Philly(R)' On Demand

Partnership with Philadelphia Magazine Gives Customers Access to Region's Best with the Touch of a Remote

PHILADELPHIA, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Cable and Philadelphia magazine today announced the launch of Best of Philly(R) On Demand, a first- of-its-kind collaboration that delivers the magazine's annual analysis of the best Philadelphia has to offer on Comcast's signature ON DEMAND service throughout the Philadelphia market. The service, available at no additional cost to Comcast Digital Cable customers, will feature 30 three- to five-minute vignettes profiling this year's Best of Philly(R) winners. The segments, which are introduced by Philadelphia editors Jessica Blatt and April White, discuss many of this year's selections and are available to viewers on their own schedule, any time of the day or night.

Now in its 34th year, the Best of Philly(R) includes nearly 200 winners across six categories including food and drink, style and shopping, kids, people and power, service and fun. The issue is now available at newsstands. The Best of Philly(R) On Demand was produced in conjunction with Comcast's Select On Demand video-on- demand (VOD) production and distribution service.

"Best of Philly(R) On Demand harnesses Philadelphia magazine's eye for all things essential and combines it with the powerful reach of our Get Local VOD platform to deliver an entertaining and informative look at the region's best businesses," said Noah Kodeck, director of Comcast's Local Video On Demand programming and production. "Comcast and Philadelphia magazine are committed to the region and this offering allows us to tap into our broad resources to highlight these uniquely Philadelphia establishments, while delivering more value for our customers."

"We want to engage the entire region in the Best of Philly(R) excitement," said David H. Lipson, President of Philadelphia magazine. "We are thrilled to partner with Comcast to extend the Best of Philly(R) brand and further tell the stories of this year's winning businesses."

Added Peter Heumiller, vice president of original programming for Comcast, "Comcast's unique structure lets us leverage our national scope to deliver on our commitment to reflect the individuality of the communities we serve. We think Best of Philly(R) On Demand offers a great model for launching similar local content in other markets across our footprint."

To view programs, Comcast Digital Cable customers can tune to Channel 1 on their Digital Cable lineup or press the ON DEMAND button on their remote control, then click on the "Get Local" section to find the "Best of Philly" category.

Best of Philly(R) On Demand is part of Comcast's growing ON DEMAND lineup, which offers 9,300 programs a month that can be viewed on a customer's own schedule with the ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind. All Local Video On Demand content, like 95 percent of ON DEMAND offerings, is free of charge to Comcast Digital Cable customers. ON DEMAND provides something for everyone, from 850 movies to music videos, kids' shows, sports, news and much more. Customers can also chose from more than 150 hours of high definition VOD programming each month.

For more information about Comcast's products and services, call 1-800- COMCAST or visit the company's web site at www.comcast.com .

About Comcast

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation, the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 24.1 million cable customers, 12.4 million high-speed Internet customers and 3.5 million digital voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's Eastern Division currently serves more than 5.4 million customers along the New York to DC corridor, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia and North Carolina. The Eastern Division also founded and manages CN8, The Comcast Network, one of the nation's largest and most honored regional 24-hour diversified television networks, seen by more than nine million homes on the East Coast. The Eastern Division employs approximately 18,000 people and is based in Oaks, Pennsylvania.

About Best of Philly(R)

Since its debut 34 years ago, Philadelphia magazine's annual Best of Philly(R) issue has consistently grown in popularity to become the publication's most recognized and distinguished special issue, by advertisers and consumers as well as merchants hoping for a winning spot. Originally conceived by then Boston Magazine Editor Geoff Precourt in 1973, Best Of was immediately adopted in Philadelphia under editor Alan Halpern and debuted the same year. In the decades since, the concept has been imitated by city and regional magazines across the country. Philadelphia magazine's Best of Philly(R) 2007 was edited by Lifestyle Editor Jessica Blatt and Food Editor April White.

Best of Philly(R) is sponsored by The Residences at The Ritz Carlton Philadelphia, Mercedes-Benz, HiFi House, Sharp, House of Blues, Corona Light, Gallo Family Vineyards, Ciroc, Don Julio, Tanqueray, Crown Royal, Jose Cuervo, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Capitan Morgan, Bailey's and Rae Restaurant.

Source: Comcast Cable

CONTACT: Gabriel Weissman of Comcast, +1-610-650-1352,
gabriel_weissman@cable.comcast.com or Corie Moskow of Philadelphia magazine,
+1-215-518-5526, Coriemoskow@aol.com

Web site: http://www.comcast.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment