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:upPRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- The results of a new survey show that when it comes to high-definition (HD) picture quality, Comcast is the clear winner - even among customers of the two leading national satellite TV services.

In side-by-side comparisons, two-thirds of satellite customers expressing a preference between Comcast and DirecTV and between Comcast and Dish Network said Comcast delivered a better HD image. More than 65% of customers ranked Comcast higher than DirecTV, and almost 70% chose Comcast over Dish Network.

Among customers of both satellite and cable, Comcast was selected as providing a better HD picture than DirecTV by 60% of respondents with a preference. Comcast was selected as providing a better HD picture than Dish Network by 66% of respondents indicating a preference.

"This survey shows that consumers agree with what we've known for years: Comcast has the best HD picture," said Dave Watson, Executive Vice President, Operations, for Comcast Cable. "Whether it's feeling like you're in the front row at your favorite sporting event or concert, or watching a movie the way a director intended it to be seen, the quality of the picture is as crucial as offering the most choices, and we're the source for the best HD and home entertainment experience."

Comcast is the leader in bringing customers HD entertainment, with about 200 HD viewing options at any time, including an industry-leading 100 hours of HD movies and shows as part of its signature ON DEMAND service, making HD programs available anytime a customer wants to watch them. This year, Comcast will be doubling the amount of HD ON DEMAND programming available. To date, Comcast customers have watched more than seven million HD ON DEMAND programs.

The company was one of the first video providers to offer HD service, beginning in 2001. Its high-definition lineup now includes affiliates of all major broadcast networks; comprehensive sports coverage with ESPN HD and ESPN2 HD, as well as regional sports networks across the country; premium HD networks including Starz, HBO, Cinemax and Showtime; and the most popular HD cable networks, including Discovery, Universal HD, Mojo, MHD and TNT.

Methodology and Results

Frank N. Magid Associates, a leading research consulting organization, conducted the survey; Accenture, a management and technology consulting company, oversaw the technical aspects of the test; and Loeb & Loeb, a national law firm, provided legal guidance on the survey process. Participants were asked if they felt there was a difference in quality between the HD television pictures displayed on three identical, unlabeled television sets (one set displaying a picture from Comcast, one from DirecTV and one from Dish Network).

Among satellite customers in the survey, 65.60% of those who expressed a preference between Comcast and DirectTV chose Comcast, and 69.92% who expressed a preference between Comcast and Dish Network chose Comcast. Among all participants in the survey, 60.3% of those who expressed a preference between Comcast and DirectTV chose Comcast, and 65.6% of those who expressed a preference between Comcast and Dish Network chose Comcast. The survey has a 5%-7% margin of error.