Broadband Briefs for 12/07/07

CED Staff

• RCN lures NFL fans at Comcast's expense
By Brian Santo

Taking advantage of the carriage spat between Comcast [1] and the National Football League [2] (NFL), RCN [3] will carry all NFL Network coverage this season. Comcast carries the NFL channel but moved the channel to its digital tier, setting off a squabble about how accessible the games are on Comcast. RCN has an all-digital network, which is why it's immune from the argument; RCN means to attract football fans disaffected with Comcast to subscribe to RCN's service.

• Bright House adds telecom vet as VP of business solutions
By Traci Patterson

Bright House Networks [4] has named Nick Lenoci as VP of business solutions. The nearly 20-year telecom veteran will be responsible for developing and leading long-term business solutions strategy and execution, developing product and pricing strategies and overseeing the development of channel marketing strategies.

• Advisory firms back Arris' buy of C-Cor
Mike Robuck

Arris [5] and C-Cor [6] announced yesterday that Institutional Shareholder Services [7] (ISS) and Glass Lewis and Co. [8] have recommended that Arris and C-Cor shareholders back Arris' proposed purchase of C-Cor. In September, Arris made an offer of $730 million to buy C-Cor.

"We are very pleased with the ISS and Glass Lewis recommendations," said Robert Stanzione, CEO of Arris, and David Woodle, CEO of C-Cor, in a prepared statement. "This represents a credible, independent validation of the strategy behind this transaction."

The deadline for C-Cor shareholders to elect to receive merger consideration of cash, shares of Arris common stock, or a combination of cash and stock as described in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, is Thursday at 5 p.m.