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General discussion

Comcast-NBCU, DOJ has created a media monster. :-(

Jan 18, 2011 8:35PM PST

Dear Buzz Gang and Crew,
The Comcast-NBCU deal is great for Comcast but bad for practically every other media and Internet concern in the U.S. The DOJ is talking as if the conditions imposed on Comcast would allow for a fair and mutually competitive business climate. The DOJ has no idea the monster they have created.

1. Comcast will still own 30% of Hulu
2. Open Internet requirements are weak because Comcast is not required to show proof of compliance.
3. Comcast can still retaliate against any broadcast network (or affiliate) if they make claims of unequal network sharing or violations.
4. Finally DOJ enforcement mechanisms are antiquated and slow. The best the DOJ can do is place nuisance fines against Comcast.

Oh well, I guess the DOJ is telling everyone to just bend over and take it. Sad

Later People.

Discussion is locked

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Seriously
Jan 19, 2011 6:12AM PST

I thought America was supposed to be the land of limited government intervention.
NBC is going down the toilet anyway, what's so bad about comcast giving it their shot to fix the company.
As long as they don't make NBC cable only, which is really unlikely. I don't see a problem.
Maybe comcast customers will now even be able to get a discount ok Hulu.
Don't think the DOJ needs to do much, unless they start making Hulu comcast only...

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Comcast-NBCU, DOJ has created a media monster
Jan 19, 2011 6:39AM PST

Right this is bad no good will come from this at all.

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Comcast Manipulated Congress to get NBCU - Excerpt - Report
Jan 19, 2011 7:56AM PST

Excerpt from Report:
"Comcast, which counts seventy-eight former government employees as lobbyists, has spent heavily to convince members of Congress to support the deal. In the second quarter of 2010, the company spent $3.82 million on lobbying-the most it has spent in single quarter. Comcast has convinced a large number of lawmakers to support the deal. Bloomberg News reported that ninety-one House members and three Senators who received Comcast campaign contributions have written letters to the FCC supporting the merger."

http://www.cjr.org/feature/a_television_deal_for_the_digi.php
http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/comcast_takeover_of_nbc_gets_t.php