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Groups Urge FCC To Block NBC-Comcast Merger

GovTechGuy writes "A coalition of media companies, labor groups and privacy advocates have combined to urge the FCC to block the proposed merger of NBC Universal and cable giant Comcast. In a letter sent to the FCC Monday (PDF), the groups argue the new $30 billion entity would have unprecedented control over the media landscape, raising antitrust concerns. Among the threats listed are the potential for the new media giant to violate net neutrality and favor its own content both on television and online."

6 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Let it happen by jgagnon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I vote to let it happen and then watch it fail. It may take a few years, but it will most certainly fail. If history is any indication, the bigger companies get the more out of touch they get with their customers and the more fragile their success becomes.

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    Remember to maintain your supply of /facepalm oil to prevent chafing.
    1. Re:Let it happen by NeutronCowboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      But if you control the entire entertainment and delivery vertical for a population that has only one choice in delivery, then there is no need to be in touch with your customer. Remember ATT? "We're the phone company, we don't have to care."

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      Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
  2. Re:I'm not worried by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I find it hard to believe that you don't use at least something in the following list all owned by NBC.

    NBC, Universal Studios, NBC Universal Television Group, NBC News, USA Network, Syfy, CNBC, MSNBC Cable TV, NBC.com, MSNBC.com, iVillage, Bravo, qubo, Telemundo Television Studios, The Weather Channel, Hulu, A&E Television Networks

    All from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_Universal

  3. Have to admire their gusto by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They apparently think that a glorified letter-writing campaign is a match for the lobbying (aka "bribing") money that a major corporation can throw at Washington. That's almost as adorable as an environmentalist in Texas or Alaska writing his Congressman asking him to oppose big oil. Even if you could get the FCC to listen, the lobbyists would just get their slaves in Congress to override them (just like they did on net neutrality).

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:Have to admire their gusto by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You couldn't get 90% of voters to oppose Hitler.

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      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  4. Re:Makes sense to me... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yeah... it's like owning Park Place, Boardwalk, AND all the railroads at the same time. It sucks when it isn't you. :p

    No, it's a lot worse than that. In Monopoly, when someone else owns a lot of valuable properties, at least it's another player who has the same goals you have, albeit adversarial. When your opponent makes money, although he takes it from you, it at least stays in the game and the rules don't change. Through smart play and careful management, you at least have a chance to get some of that back. There is still capital in the game. You can borrow, you can play.

    When corporations own the same monopoly of say, all the railroads and both utilities, it changes the fundamental rules of the game. It doesn't just add to their holdings, it wrecks the game for everybody. They don't want to just beat you, they want to make it so that you can't ever play again. People tend to make some fundamental mistakes when thinking about corporations. They're not people. They're legal fictions with destruction of the market built into their fictional DNA. Their agenda is of a much different nature than yours or mine.

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    You are welcome on my lawn.