Justice Department to Study Comcast Takeover of NBC

[Joanne98]

Source: Bloomberg

Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Justice Department will conduct an antitrust review of Comcast Corp.’s planned takeover of NBC Universal, a department spokeswoman said.

The examination will be handled by the department and not the Federal Trade Commission, said department spokeswoman Gina Talamona today. The agencies both enforce antitrust laws and hadn’t previously said which one would do the review.

The deal will be vetted to determine whether it may thwart competition. Critics such as the consumer advocacy group Free Press said they will seek to block the move, which would give Comcast control of broadcast TV networks, online and cable channels and a movie studio.

Comcast, the biggest U.S. cable company, agreed last month to create a joint venture combining General Electric Co.’s NBC Universal unit with its own media assets. Comcast will own 51 percent of the venture, valued at $28.2 billion.


Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=amGZxVXHzBl8&pos=3

[NJmaverick]

1. What a nice CHANGE. In the past this sort of action

would have gone unexamined and unopposed, much to the detriment of our nation.

[onehandle]

2. How about just stopping it? It would obviously be a disaster for consumers. nt

[Fearless]

3. +1

[Enthusiast]

4. My sentiments exactly.

Of course the interests of consumers don't amount to shit in this country.

[Paper Roses]

5. Anything that will make Comcast uncomfortable is fine with me.

They have such a stronghold on the cable/internet business that what they say goes. Everything about them makes me grit my teeth. Their Customer Service, their programming, their constant "nothing wrong is reported in your area" standard answer to your reception questions.

While the Justice Department is looking at this takeover, how about they take a quick look at some
of the rights of customers. No1: Why do we not have a right to 'à la carte' programming?

[pmorlan1]

6. Cynical view of our Justice Dept

Yeah, they'll conduct an investigation for show and then let the purchase proceed as scheduled.

[Angleae]

8. I'm a little more cynical than that

They'll announce the investigation then sit around a while, after which they'll let the purchase proceed.

[davidpdx]

7. It would be nice if this were stopped, I was concerned about it

when it was announced. I don't know if they can stop it though given the fact that Time Warner also has a cable company and owns many TV stations as well. The only thing worse would have been if Comcast and Fox would have merged. Talk about the spawn of satan.