TV HOST BARRY NOLAN LOSES SUIT AGAINST COMCAST

Boston television personality Barry Nolan has lost his $1.2-million lawsuit against his former employer, Comcast. Nolan was fired by Comcast two years ago after he mounted a protest against the Boston chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science’s decision to present Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly its annual Governor’s Award. At the time, Nolan hosted a local entertainment talk show, Backstage, on Comcast. He later filed suit against the cable company, claiming that his free-speech rights had been violated by Comcast’s action against him. But in her ruling on Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Rya Zobel noted that Nolan’s contract with Comcast allowed the company to fire him “without notice, for any reason, or no reason at all.” She added: “Although one-sided, it is nonetheless valid.” Nolan said he will appeal. The decision comes at a time when Comcast’s policies are under close regulatory scrutiny as it seeks to gain control of NBC-Universal.