Shell Game
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts acknowledged the MSO’s joint bid with Time Warner for Adelphia yesterday, but no specifics; the bid "hopefully represents our desire and belief in the cable business’ future," he said. "We’re not necessarily out there trying to get bigger for bigger’s sake. This is an opportunity … to look at properties that are attractive and under-performing. That’ s just what we did with AT&T." — Comcast finally announced former Gemstar chief Jeff Shell as pres, Comcast Programming, effective May 2. Shell’s contract with Gemstar requires that he be "reasonably available" to consult until Apr 29 (Cfax, 12/15). He’ll report to COO Steve Burke and oversee national content networks and investments, including E!, Outdoor Life and the upcoming children’s and Sony/MGM nets, as well as RSNs.