Worcester strikes deal with Comcast
City Manager Edward Augustus had reached an agreement with Comcast Corp. that will transfer Worcester’s license for cable television and internet access to the company and protect more than 150 call-center jobs in the city and locally-produced news, the city announced Thursday.
“The agreement we are announcing today protects Worcester jobs and ensures we continue to enjoy a quality local television news and sports presence,” Augustus said in a statement.
Comcast has agreed to maintain the Worcester call center – now operated by Charter Communications – and pledged to continue to provide local TV news. Charter is currently under no obligation to keep open the Worcester call center, which Comcast has agreed to keep open for a minimum of three years, according to the city.
“These assurances – above and beyond the city’s contract with its current provider – show Comcast has heard the community’s concerns and is taking its role in Worcester seriously,” Augustus said.
Comcast committed to continue a nightly news program, The Mayor’s Forum and coverage of local sports, the city announced. If the company chooses to change these services in the future, it will be required to meet with the city manager and offer mutually-agreeable alternatives to maintain a strong, local news presence, according to the city.
“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the City of Worcester that will benefit local residents and businesses alike,” Nick Leuci, vice president of government and regulatory affairs for Comcast’s Northeast Division, said in the city’s statement. “We appreciate the thorough review and thoughtful discussions with city officials, and look forward to serving the Worcester community and delivering our innovative products and services to its residents.”
The transfer is part of a $45 billion merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable, through which Comcast will acquire Charter's Massachusetts customers, while Charter will have direct and shared control of nearly 5 million Comcast subscribers, according to published reports. The license will be transferred upon completion of the agreement between the three companies, according to the city. Once the cable license is transferred, Comcast will be bound by all obligations of the city’s current contract with Charter, which extends until 2023.
The deadline to transfer the city’s television license had been extended twice to allow for continued discussions. Worcester is the 53rd and final community in Massachusetts to approve a transfer from Charter to Comcast.
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