Comcast-NBC Universal merger draws criticism

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Source: Los Angeles Times

The proposed merger between the cable company Comcast Corp. and entertainment giant NBC Universal was heavily criticized Monday by some rival media companies and consumer advocacy groups that are trying to persuade the Federal Communications Commission to block the $30-billion deal.

Announced last December, the pairing of Comcast and NBC Universal would put under one roof the nation's biggest cable and broadband provider and an entertainment conglomerate whose holdings include broadcast networks NBC and Telemundo, cable channels CNBC, Bravo and USA, the Universal Pictures movie studio and more than two dozen local television stations.

Since then, industry watchdogs, some lawmakers and competitors have expressed concern about one company controlling so much of the media landscape. On Monday, they registered their displeasure by filing comments with the FCC. Besides the FCC, the Justice Department is also reviewing the merger. A decision on whether the deal will be allowed to go through and what conditions may be imposed on it is expected late this year or early next year.

Although there was no shortage of complaints to the FCC about the proposed merger, the bulk of big media stayed quiet. Viacom Inc., Time Warner Inc., CBS Corp. and News Corp. all indicated they would not file comments on the deal. Walt Disney Co. was also expected to refrain from commenting.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-fcc-20100622,0,4239961.story

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This article reports that even the culturally conservative org Parents Television Council criticized the Comcast/NBCU merger. And TheWrap.com reports that the American Family Association...whose staffers have written articles advocating deportation of all Muslim Americans and have generally called for a theofascist society, opposes the merger too: "The Parents Television Council, the American Family Association and Focus on the Family urged the FCC to require that Comcast disclose earnings from distribution of 'pornographic' or adult-themed pay channels and bar Comcast from using public airwaves for similar programming."

Uhh, we almost agreed with the culture warriors for once. But media consolidation=the devil.

[bluestateguy]

1. The PTC has always favored a la carte cable purchasing plans

I for one agree with them, but not for the reasons that they would advocate.