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/ 03.19.2010 12:00AM
FCC Puts Comcast-NBCU Deal Out for Comment
WASHINGTON: The FCC is seeking public comment on the deal
between General Electric and Comcast, giving the cable operator a majority
share of NBC Universal. The transaction would put the NBC and Telemundo
broadcast networks, 26 TV stations, several national cable networks, a movie
studio, theme parks and online business into the hands of the nation’s largest
cable operator, Comcast. The Philadelphia cabler already owns its own set of
cable nets, online assets and wireless ventures.
The assets would ultimately be spun into a joint venture under Comcast’s
control. Both the cable operator and NBCU have made various and sundry
public-interest pledges, and executives have testified before lawmakers they’ll
not abuse their programming power by withholding networks from competing
carriers. (
See “Lawmakers Grill
Comcast-NBCU Merger Witnesses.”)
The docket number is MB No. 10-56. Comments are due May 3; responses to them
are due June 2; replies and opposition comments are due June 17.
The commission’s
request
for comments didn’t ask for specific data, but rather that “all substantive
issues regarding the application” should be raised in initial filings. “New
issues may not be raised in responses or replies. A party or interested person
seeking to raise a new issue after the pleading cycle has closed must show good
cause why it was not possible for it to have raised the issue previously.” -- Deborah D. McAdams
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Thursday 12:00AM
Broadcasters File Suit Against FCC’s Political File Rules
“The FCC decision to put the political files online will bring broadcasters into the 21st century, and will make already public information more easily accessible to everyone.” Free Press Senior Policy Counsel Corie Wright.