FCC calls Comcast confidence, actions arrogant

The Comcast and NBC merger that is still being looked over by regulators is not finalized, anonymous Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials said today. Comcast's recent announcement of new management allegedly upset regulators, as Comcast and NBC promised in September they would refrain from making personnel announcements until the deal is approved, according to two unnamed sources speaking in a New York Times report. One of the officials said Comcast's actions are "presumptuous and arrogant."

The deal should bring more streaming video services and options to customers. Comcast believes streaming video services shouldn't be regulated, but the government may want to introduce anti-competitive conditions as a result of the deal to the merged companies. This could involve prohibiting providers such as Comcast from blocking programming from content providers that compete with NBC.

Comcast has insisted that the deal is all but done, and the FCC traditionally approves mergers within 180 days, a deadline that runs out on Wednesday.

Critics have objected to the deal as it would represent further media consolidation and, apart from net neutrality concerns, could also complicate deals with Apple, Netflix and others whose video businesses encourage dropping cable TV for Internet video.

By Electronista Staff