Comcast announced a seven-year deal with Live Nation, the concert production and ticketing company, that gives the cable operator the naming rights to the former New England Dodge Music Center in Hartford, Conn.
The outdoor amphitheater, owned and operated by Live Nation, will be called Comcast Theatre starting with this summer's concert season. The theater can accommodate 25,000 people and hosts about 20 concerts each year.
"We are excited to join with Live Nation to place our name on one of the most-loved entertainment venues in Connecticut," Michael Parker, Comcast area vice president for Connecticut, said in a statement. "As we continue to invest and grow throughout the state, this partnership underscores our long-term commitment to delivering an unparalleled entertainment experience to our local customers."
Acts on tap for Comcast Theater this summer include Coldplay, Phish, Nickelback, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and Dave Matthews Band.
In Connecticut, Comcast serves more than 550,000 customers and has 1,300 employees.
Separately, Comcast's Spectacor subsidiary owns two professional sports teams -- the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and the NBA's 76ers -- and two multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia, and manages other facilities for sporting events, concerts and other events.
In addition, the company's New Era Tickets unit operates ComcastTIX.com, which is the official ticketing provider for 18 venues nationwide.
