Comcast Says It Can Live With FCC Conditions, But Consumer Groups Cry Foul

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Jan 3, 2011 8:00 AM, By Michael Grotticelli

It didn't take Comcast long torespond to FCC Chairman Genachowski's legal holiday trickle to the press.Within hours, the line hulk mentioned it was "gratified" thatGenachowski's office had taken the step forward.

"Starting on the day of the deal'sannouncement, you have emphasized that this contract ispro-competitive, pro-consumer, and will broach actual open interestbenefits," mentioned Comcast, who has already outlayed $15 million lobbyingthe supervision to authorize the deal.

To the Free Press, an group thathas strongly against the join up and is an passionate member of netneutrality, the really thought that Comcast indicated it could live withthe FCC's conditions is a coherent pointer of trouble. The group saidconsumers would be the ones balance the bill by more expensivebills and fewer media choices.

"We are deeply unhappy that theFCC is assumingly relocating to authorize this merger," mentioned CoriellWright, the process give advice for Free Press. "Comcast might be rushingto obtain this treat completed as rapidly as possible, but the FCC should putdown its rubber stamp and be certain they have reviewed all the evidenceand reflected on the long-term impacts of more media consolidation."

Free Press assimilated the Media AccessProject (MAP) in mission on the FCC to check the join up until Comcastmakes its programming contracts back to 2006 segment of the FCC recordin the transaction. MAP mentioned the FCC chairperson had betrothed not tomake a preference until it had reviewed the whole record.

In a e-mail to Genachowski, theconsumer groups reminded him of his Mar 11, 2010, be evidence of at aSenate conference when he betrothed to examination all the archives beforemaking a decision. The group then remarkable that Comcast has notcomplied with the FCC's solicit for contracts dating back fouryears.

Joining in the critique was theConsumers Union. "We think that consumers would be most appropriate served ifthe treat was rejected," mentioned Parul P. Desai, an profession withConsumers Union. "It's hard to suppose how a line hulk likeComcast owning a calm sovereignty similar to NBC Universal could be a plusfor consumers' pocketbooks and competition."