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'''Comcast''' is a media, entertainment and communications provider in the United States. Its primary business involves the operation of cable systems via Comcast Cable which provides video, high-speed internet and telephone services for residential and business establishments. The company also owns a majority share of NBC Universal, owner and operator of entertainment and news cable networks such as the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local TV stations, TV & motion picture production studios and theme parks. The company trades at NASDAQ under the ticker symbols CMCSA and CMCSK. The company's headquarters is located in Philadelphia, PA. Brian L. Roberts serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast.<ref>[http://www.comcast.com/corporate/about/pressroom/corporateoverview/corporateoverview.html Company Overview]</ref>

'''Comcast''' is a media, entertainment and communications provider in the United States. Its primary business involves the operation of cable systems via Comcast Cable which provides video, high-speed internet and telephone services for residential and business establishments. The company also owns a majority share of NBC Universal, owner and operator of entertainment and news cable networks such as the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local TV stations, TV & motion picture production studios and theme parks. The company trades at NASDAQ under the ticker symbols CMCSA and CMCSK. The company's headquarters is located in Philadelphia, PA. Brian L. Roberts serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast.<ref>[http://www.comcast.com/corporate/about/pressroom/corporateoverview/corporateoverview.html Company Overview]</ref>

==History==

==History==

On November 13, 1963, Ralph Roberts purchased American Cable Systems, a small cable TV operator owned by Jerrold Electronics in Tupelo Mississippi for $500,000 after selling his interest in Pioneer Industries. At that time, American Cable Systems has only five channels available for its 1,500 subscribers.  Roberts believed that the business has a great potential. After purchasing the company, Roberts encouraged Daniel Aaron, systems director and Julian Brodsky, CPA; both employees from Jerrod Electronics to join him manage the business. According to Roberts, his objective was to bring television to people who couldn’t receive television signals because they are located in areas that were too far from TV stations or they are located in a small market with only one TV station running.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Comcast-Corporation-company-History.html Comcast Corporation Company History]</ref> <ref>

On November 13, 1963, Ralph Roberts purchased American Cable Systems, a small cable TV operator owned by Jerrold Electronics in Tupelo Mississippi for $500,000 after selling his interest in Pioneer Industries. At that time, American Cable Systems has only five channels available for its 1,500 subscribers.  Roberts believed that the business has a great potential. After purchasing the company, Roberts encouraged Daniel Aaron, systems director and Julian Brodsky, CPA; both employees from Jerrod Electronics to join him manage the business. According to Roberts, his objective was to bring television to people who couldn’t receive television signals because they are located in areas that were too far from TV stations or they are located in a small market with only one TV station running.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Comcast-Corporation-company-History.html Comcast Corporation Company History]</ref> <ref>

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvvjoDI8O2w Ralph Roberts Interview, Part 1]</ref>

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvvjoDI8O2w Ralph Roberts Interview, Part 1]</ref>

In 1969, Roberts re-branded American Cable Systems to Comcast Corporation. The name of the company was coined from the blending of the words communications and broadcast to provide the company with a more technological distinction.<ref>[https://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/SearchResults.asp Pennsylvania Department of State Corporations System Search]</ref>  

In 1969, Roberts re-branded American Cable Systems to Comcast Corporation. The name of the company was coined from the blending of the words communications and broadcast to provide the company with a more technological distinction.<ref>[https://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/SearchResults.asp Pennsylvania Department of State Corporations System Search]</ref>

In 1972, Comcast went public at $7 per share and sold 430,000 shares.<ref>

In 1972, Comcast went public at $7 per share and sold 430,000 shares.<ref>

[http://archive.cablecenter.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/catv&CISOPTR=1215&CISOBOX=1&REC=1 Comcast Goes Public, 1972]</ref> Comcast has a dual share structure with Class A and Class B shares. Only the Class A shares were offered to the public. Each share is equivalent to one vote

[http://archive.cablecenter.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/catv&CISOPTR=1215&CISOBOX=1&REC=1 Comcast Goes Public, 1972]</ref> Comcast has a dual share structure with Class A and Class B shares. Only the Class A shares were offered to the public. Each share is equivalent to one vote

[http://69.175.2.130/~finman/Reno/Papers/ValueofaVote.pdf The Value of a Vote: Comcast Dual-Voting Rights Stock]</ref>

[http://69.175.2.130/~finman/Reno/Papers/ValueofaVote.pdf The Value of a Vote: Comcast Dual-Voting Rights Stock]</ref>

The following years, Comcast acquired several cable franchises in different locations including Paducah, Kentucky; Flint, Hillsdale and Jonesville, Warren, Clinton, Sterling Heights and St. Clair Shores in Michigan; Northern New Jersey; Lower Merion, Pennsylvania; and Corinth, Mississippi. The company also acquired the Muzak franchises in Indianapolis, Buffalo, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Peoria, Illinois in 1983. During the same year, Comcast expanded in United Kingdom through its partnership with Ladboke, a gambling and entertainment company. Comcast secured a license to provide cable television systems to residents in suburban London.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Comcast-Corporation-company-History.html Comcast Corporation Company History]</ref>

The following years, Comcast acquired several cable franchises in different locations including Paducah, Kentucky; Flint, Hillsdale and Jonesville, Warren, Clinton, Sterling Heights and St. Clair Shores in Michigan; Northern New Jersey; Lower Merion, Pennsylvania; and Corinth, Mississippi. The company also acquired the Muzak franchises in Indianapolis, Buffalo, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Peoria, Illinois in 1983. During the same year, Comcast expanded in United Kingdom through its partnership with Ladboke, a gambling and entertainment company. Comcast secured a license to provide cable television systems to residents in suburban London.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Comcast-Corporation-company-History.html Comcast Corporation Company History]</ref>

In 1986, the company acquired 26 percent of Group W. This acquisition doubled the company's cable subscribers to 1.2 million and provided founding investments for QVC, a television home shopping company. In 1988, the company purchased 50 percent stakes Storer Communications, Inc. The company became the fifth largest cable systems operator in the United States with more than 2 million subscribers. During the same year, the company also acquired American Cellular Network Corporation (AMCELL).<ref>[http://www.pressnews.net/cmcsk/history.htm Comcast History at a Glance]</ref>

In 1986, the company acquired 26 percent of Group W. This acquisition doubled the company's cable subscribers to 1.2 million and provided founding investments for QVC, a television home shopping company. In 1988, the company purchased 50 percent stakes Storer Communications, Inc. The company became the fifth largest cable systems operator in the United States with more than 2 million subscribers. During the same year, the company also acquired American Cellular Network Corporation (AMCELL).<ref>[http://www.pressnews.net/cmcsk/history.htm Comcast History at a Glance]</ref>