FCC Approves Comcast-NBCU Deal

You are here: Home Page » News » FCC approves Comcast-NBCU treat

Jan 18, 2011 4:00 PM

The FCC granted the Comcast-NBCU treat Jan. 18 needing the choice and give of broadcast, heavenly body and air wave licenses from General Electric to Comcast.

With FCC approval, General Electric and Comcast are giveaway to emanate a J.V. involving NBC Universal (NBCU) and Comcast. In commendatory the deal, the commission laid down definite conditions and done the join up fortuitous on commitments. Based "on a in depth examination of the record," the commission found the contract to be in the open interest.

Among the conditions is a undertaking to "foster contest in the video marketplace." Comcast-NBCU moreover contingency execute to stepping up local headlines coverage; expanding kids' programming; enhancing programming to Spanish-speaking viewers; gift broadband to low-income households at marked down prices; and providing schools, libraries and underserved communities with high-speed broadband.

In announcing its consent of the transaction, the commission moreover spelled out a few conditions and commitments that will sojourn in outcome for 7 years, including

ensuring in accord with access to Comcast-NBCU programming for multichannel distribution;

protecting the growth of online competition;

access to Comcast's placement systems; and

protecting diversity, localism, announce and other open fascination concerns.

In ready explanation expelled on the commission website combining observe of the approval, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski characterized the conditions as "carefully deliberate steps" directed at ensuring contest drives enhancement in the online video marketplace. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn endorsed the decision, and the two Republicans on the commission, Robert McDowell and Meredith Attwell Baker, concurred with the decision.

The sole government official dissenting with the preference to authorize was Michael Copps. In a matter issued on the Internet, Copps mentioned there are "many prospective harms" in commendatory the transaction, and notwithstanding the efforts of the commission and the companies, it is not probable to "mask the fact that this Comcast-NBCU J.V. grievously fails the open interest."