Comcast Hometown Network Launches Live Newscast Called 'Upside' Which Brings Positive Perspective Beyond Traditional Headlines

LIVERMORE, Calif., March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Hometown Network (http://comcasthometown.com) will launch a live, twice weekly, half-hour newscast on Tuesday, March 15 called "Upside" that features the positive side of news and covers stories not found on traditional local newscasts.  Upside's slogan -- "It's All Good" – illustrates the program's focus on what is going right in the world, the country, the state and in our local communities. The newscast, airing live at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and replaying at 10:00 p.m. on those evenings, features positive perspectives, in-depth news coverage, interviews, and commentary.

"Viewers are tired of the 'if it bleeds, it leads' mentality of some local newscasts that focus on crime and negative news," said Jeff Giles, Director of Comcast Hometown Network.  "While we obviously need to pay attention to the negative stories that could potentially impact our lives, we felt that equal time should be spent on what is going right in our world.  Comcast Hometown Network's Upside focuses on the good news and positive stories that don't get enough news coverage."

Sample segments on Upside include stories on advancements in transportation and their impact on the environment; the San Francisco Chapter of Mustaches For Kids, and their efforts to fundraise for children; and advice on how Americans can build up their savings.

Upside is hosted by anchor Tori Taylor, a former reporter for Current TV. Since coming to Comcast Hometown Network in 2009, Taylor has also served as a sideline reporter for Comcast Hometown Network prep football, and live sports broadcasts. Additional "on location" news coverage for the program is contributed by Upside reporter Myriah Johnson as well as New America Media (NAM) TV anchor Odette Keeley. Upside is produced by Amy Morrell and directed by Michael Serafin.

In addition to airing live on Channel 104, Upside will also be available any time of the day or night via Comcast's popular ON DEMAND platform, which is free to Comcast digital customers.  To view past newscasts of Upside, Comcast Digital Cable customers can tune to Channel 1 on their Digital Cable lineup or press the ON DEMAND button on their remote control, then click on the "Get Local" section, click on Comcast Hometown Network and select "Upside."

Upside can be found on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/UpsideNews, on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/UpsideCHN, and on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/UpsideNews.

About Comcast Hometown Network

Comcast Hometown Network (CHN) is a regional cable network produced by Comcast and available in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central California on Digital Channel 104.  Available to almost 2 million homes in Northern and Central California as a part of Comcast's commitment to the communities that it serves, Comcast Hometown Network is a 24/7 channel that includes original regional programming, Comcast Hometown Sports (CHS), and unique local content that you can't get anywhere else.

Comcast Hometown Network has quickly become one of the top destinations for local sports coverage.  The network produces and televises LIVE minor league baseball games from the Class A Advanced California League, featuring the San Jose Giants, Stockton Ports, Modesto Nuts or Visalia Rawhide.  In addition, CHN also televises Stockton Thunder hockey games and key high school football and basketball games featuring prominent prep programs throughout Northern and Central California.

http://comcastcalifornia.mediaroom.com/

SOURCE Comcast Hometown Network