FCC's conditions for Comcast-NBC merger have 'real strings attached'

Consumer Reports News: January 18, 2011 05:19 PM

Earlier today, the The Federal Communications Commission approved Comcast's acquisition of NBC Universal, putting the network's many TV shows and movies into the hands of the nation's biggest cable and broadband Internet service provider.

In a response from Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports), Parul P. Desai, policy counsel for CU, said, "By approving the transaction with conditions and enforcement measures, regulators are acknowledging that the combination of two media giants poses some very real threats. Based on what we now know about some of the conditions attached to the transaction, we think that they are significant and could help to limit anti-consumer, anti-competitive behavior by Comcast-NBCU."

Some of the reported conditions: Comcast would have to provide low-income families including school-age children with affordable broadband access. And the merged company would be required to offer its programming to online video competitors, allowing for competition in that market.

Consumer Reports has followed news of the merger since reports first surfaced in 2009, because of the potential impact it could have on consumers. And Consumers Union launched a campaign in November that opposed the proposed buyout.

For more information and details on the Comcast-NBC merger, visit HearUsNow.org, the organization's telecommunications Web site.

—Carol Mangis

—Carol Mangis