Comcast to lure customers with free video-game service
Comcast Corp., the largest U.S. provider of broadband Internet access, is offering a free video-game service to attract gamers and keep its highest-paying customers from leaving.
Game Invasion, created with IGN Entertainment, is available for no extra charge for Internet customers who pay the biggest U.S. cable-television company $52.95 a month, said Jeanne Russo, spokeswoman for Philadelphia-based Comcast.
Comcast is offering extra features to retain and attract gamers and to boost the amount of revenue from each subscriber.
Similar to its video-on-demand service, which gives free movies to people who pay for digital cable TV, Game Invasion provides game downloads and exclusive content to high-speed Web users.
“Gamers are an entertainment savvy and sophisticated audience,” said Jen MacLean, senior director of entertainment and gaming at Comcast. “They are getting exclusive content and premium features, such as leader boards.”
Customers who pay $52.95 surf the Web at 8 megabits per second, compared with 6 megabits for those who pay $42.95, Russo said. The game service through IGN costs about $10 a month.
DENVER
Nationalization fears hurt Apex mine stock
Shares of Denver-based Apex Silver Mines Ltd. plunged Tuesday amid speculation that Bolivia will seize mining assets. The government has taken control of oil and gas fields held by foreign companies. Apex fell $3.50, or 17 percent, to $17.50 in American Stock Exchange trading.
Bolivia’s leftist government said Tuesday it would extend control over mining, forestry and other sectors of the economy.
Apex is constructing its San Cristobal mine in southwestern Bolivia. The company expects production will start in the third quarter of 2007 with annual output of 22.3 million ounces of silver in the first five years.
DENVER
Flying Dog Brewery creates Wild Goose
Denver-based Flying Dog Brewery will pay $1.4 million to purchase a Maryland brewery from Cleveland-based Snyder International Brewing Group. Flying Dog created a new entity, called Wild Goose Brewery, to purchase the brewery out of receivership, said Eric Warner, managing member of the Flying Dog Brewery and Wild Goose Brewery.
The brewery in Frederick, Md., will operate under the name Wild Goose Brewery, Warner said. The brewery can produce 60,000 barrels of beer a year and can be easily expanded to produce twice that.
DENVER
$833,314 to help pay piled-up energy bills
Energy Outreach Colorado is distributing $833,314 to more than 80 emergency assistance sites across the state to help a record number of residents pay down energy bills they can’t afford.
The distribution is Energy Outreach Colorado’s third of the 2005-06 season. In total, the agency plans to contribute as much as $9 million this year for energy assistance.
DENVER
Qwest may see profit for first quarter
Qwest may post a 1-cent-per- share profit on sales of $3.49 billion in the first quarter, a UBS investment analyst said Tuesday. First-quarter earnings will be announced today.
Chief executive Richard Notebaert has said he expects the company to return to profitability this year. Analysts have responded positively in recent quarters to Qwest’s strict financial approach.
GILLETTE, Wyo.
Kennecott Energy’s new name: Rio Tinto
Kennecott Energy Co., the second-largest coal producer in the Powder River Basin, will change its name to Rio Tinto Energy America.
Company officials notified employees of the change Monday. The company operates four Powder River Basin coal mines, employing more than 1,400 people. It also operates the Colowyo mine near Craig.
NEW YORK
Fears over Iran push oil past $74 a barrel
Crude-oil prices rose above $74 a barrel Tuesday amid fear that international pressure on Iran to modify its nuclear program may lead to supply cuts by the key exporter.
Light, sweet crude futures for June delivery rose 91 cents to settle at $74.61 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Its intraday peak was $75.35 briefly April 21.
An Iranian official earlier Tuesday reiterated the country’s intention to keep enriching uranium, while U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said he believed European governments will agree to sanctions against Iran.
Analysts expect energy futures to remain high.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif.
Mortgage offices, workers to be pared
ACC Capital Holding Co. announced Tuesday it will close 229 branch offices of Ameriquest Mortgage Co. and Town and Country Credit and dismiss 3,800 employees nationwide. The move comes as higher interest rates have chilled mortgage activity in recent weeks.
The company declined to break out details for Colorado. The phone directory listed about a half dozen retail lending offices for the two companies in the metro area.
CUPERTINO, Calif.
Apple, record labels renew iTunes accords
Apple Computer Inc., maker of the iPod digital music player, renewed contracts with the four largest record companies to continue offering songs at 99 cents each through the iTunes music store.
EMI Group Plc, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group agreed to continue selling their music through iTunes, Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said in an e-mailed statement. She declined to provide details on the length or other terms of the contracts.
MIAMI
Burger King IPO may raise $488.8 million
Burger King Holdings Corp. may raise up to $488.8 million in an initial public offering that could come next month as the hamburger chain is beginning a turnaround.
The company plans to sell 25 million shares at $15 to $17 each, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Tuesday by the Miami-based company.
SANTA CLARA, Calif.
Intel commits $1 billion to poorer countries
Intel Corp., the world’s largest semiconductor maker, will spend more than $1 billion over five years to boost the use of personal computers in poor countries.
