BOSTON, October 13, 2005 – Comcast, the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, today announced it has teamed up with the World Champion New England Patriots and NFL Network to launch "Patriots ON DEMAND." This innovative new feature is available at no additional charge exclusively to Comcast digital cable customers, giving them behind-the-scenes access to the three-time Super Bowl champions.
With the click of the remote, Comcast digital cable customers can now welcome Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick and the entire Patriots team into their living rooms through Patriots ON DEMAND. The new feature will include a menu of programming options. For daily updates on the team, fans can select Patriots Video News each weeknight for comprehensive news and analysis. The popular program, which debuted in 1997 on the Patriots Web site, quickly has become a fan favorite. Patriots ON DEMAND also delivers extended replays of game highlights, locker room interviews and Coach Belichick's press conferences in their entirety. In addition, fans will now have access to hours of weekly coverage devoted to the Patriots with programs like "Patriots All Access," "Totally Patriots" and "Patriots Football Weekly."
Want more to cheer about? How about access to exclusive footage of the New England Patriots Cheerleader tryouts or the making of their annual swimsuit calendar? Both will now be available on Patriots ON DEMAND as well as profiles of the entire cheerleading squad.
Fans will also have an opportunity to watch a variety of archived programs, including behind-the-scenes footage from each of the team's championship ring ceremonies and annual events like the team's Kickoff Gala, charitable foundation golf tournament and coverage of the NFL draft.
Patriots ON DEMAND will allow fans to watch what they want, when they want, pausing, fast-forwarding or rewinding to catch all their favorite moments – all from the comfort and convenience of their own homes.
Content will be updated regularly so viewers can catch the best plays along with the latest news and features about their home team. NFL blackout restrictions apply.
"The addition of this exciting and exclusive access to the New England Patriots will further enhance the overall football experience for Comcast digital cable customers," said Kevin Casey, Senior Vice President of Comcast New England. "Patriots ON DEMAND is just one more example of our commitment to providing additional value to our customers at no additional cost."
The New England Patriots, who a decade ago were the first sports team to launch a Web site, continue to seek new and innovative ways to expand their audiences. Patriots ON DEMAND will give fans access to a variety of programming, including an archive of some of the most memorable moments in recent Patriots history.
"We constantly strive to provide our fans with the highest quality and best services available," said Patriots Vice Chairman and President Jonathan Kraft. "Now, thanks to our partnership with Comcast, our fans can watch their favorite Patriots programs, access unique and exclusive team footage or relive some of the Patriots' most memorable moments whenever they want. The ON DEMAND technology provides the ultimate in viewing conveniences and we are proud to offer it to our fans."
Beginning this week, Patriots linebacker, Tedy Bruschi, will help promote Patriots ON DEMAND, appearing in a multi-media advertising campaign that includes television and radio spots as well as direct mail.
"We have the best fans in the NFL," said Tedy Bruschi. "They are passionate about the Patriots and Patriots ON DEMAND will bring them inside the locker room and closer to all the action throughout the year. They are going to love it."
Patriots ON DEMAND complements Comcast's already popular NFL Network On Demand. Since 2004, Comcast customers have had access to NFL Network, the 24-hour, year-round cable channel, and NFL Network On Demand, which includes the popular NFL Replay extended game highlights.
"We have worked hard with Comcast and our 32 teams to provide added value to our fans," said Adam Shaw, Senior Vice President of Distribution for NFL Network. "The Patriots are the first team to partner with NFL Network and Comcast in this fashion and we are hopeful this becomes the prototype going forward."
Comcast also makes all of the networks that carry NFL games – ABC, CBS, FOX and ESPN – available to its viewers in High-Definition, making watching at home second only to being on the sidelines.
Comcast offers more than 3,500 Video ON DEMAND program choices, with about 75 percent available at no additional cost. Since the beginning of 2005, ON DEMAND views have surpassed one billion nationwide, with its usage increasing with each month.
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 21.5 million cable customers, 7.4 million high-speed Internet customers and 1.2 million 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 serves 5.2 million customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. 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, serving seven million cable homes on the East Coast. The division is based in Oaks, Pennsylvania, and employs more than 13,000 professionals.
For more information about Comcast's products and services, customers can call 1-800-COMCAST or visit the company's Web site at www.comcast.com.
About NFL Network
NFL Network provides millions of fans of the great sport of football and the National Football League with a network to call their own. It takes 85 years of NFL history and combines it with the latest technology to bring television viewers sports entertainment at its highest level. To learn more, please log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.
