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General discussion

Comcast to buy NBC Universal. Future of net neutrality?

by surfpark Dec 2, 2009 1:49AM PST

We've talked about how cable companies are going to become "dumb pipes" for content. We also talk about how some service providers are providing their own content, which we've assumed (cynically) will get a higher ranked delivery/placement in a tiered internet model.

Well put on your tin foil hats folks. Comcast is prepped to buy a 51% stake in NBC Universal. Read it and weep: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34213141/ns/business-media_biz/

"Comcast, which is based in Philadelphia, is expected to pay GE about $5 billion to $7 billion in cash and contribute about $6 billion to $7 billion worth of cable channels it owns, such as E! and Style, into a new NBC Universal joint venture. GE would transfer about $8 billion to $10 billion in debt to the joint venture."

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Well
by Nicholas Buenk Dec 2, 2009 9:48AM PST

This makes net neutrality a lot more urgent.

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This all must stop!
by skellener Dec 2, 2009 11:52PM PST

There is too much conflict of interest here. You either provide access or content. But the two should NOT overlap. Net neutrality is the future!

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You make it sound as if this is purely in the realm of
by minimalist Dec 3, 2009 11:03AM PST

wacky conspiracy theories. Do you not see how owning the pipes and the content is a huge conflict to interest for a company that is being handed a monopoly but municipalities all over the US?

Its bad enough that the on demand content Comcast delivers over their pipes is exempt from, their bandwidth limits (whereas Apple's, Microsofts, Vudu's, You Tube's, Hulu's, and every other competitor's content is subject to those limits). But now when they control a majority interest in NBC's content this kind bandwidth abuse and manipulation will inevitably get worse.

My guess is that the FCC is going to shoot this deal down or demand that Comcast succumb to new Net Neutrality rules that ensures an even playing field for all competitors in emerging digital markets.

Really what needs to happen is to blow the cable industry wide open and let any company who wants to compete over the same wires (like landline telephones did in the early 80's). These little mini-monopolies are useful for building out infrastructure in a industry's formative years but we are way, way beyond that with cable now. Its a mature, 60 year old industry.

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(NT) being handed monopolies BY municipalities....
by minimalist Dec 3, 2009 11:05AM PST
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Cable companies in NY area already hose Verizon FIOS
by Slikkster Dec 5, 2009 2:25AM PST
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