Posted on 01/18/2011 11:18:37 AM PST by markomalley
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Comcast's acquisition of NBC Universal, allowing for a joint venture that puts a vast library of television shows and movies under the control of the nation's biggest cable and broadband Internet service provider.
Together, the companies have 16.7 million broadband subscribers, about 23 million cable customer and dozens of lucrative channels such as USA, Bravo, MSNBC and CNBC.
In a 4-to-1 vote, the FCC determined the deal was in the nation's public interest and assigned a number of conditions to the venture to ensure that Comcast shares content with cable competitors and gives other networks fair access to its customers.
The Justice Department, which had signed off on the deal in an antitrust review, is expected to announce its own approval with conditions aimed at keeping Comcast-NBCU from quashing competition from other networks and Internet providers.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski approved of the joint venture late December, saying that ultimately the union would benefit consumers as Comcast promised to add 1,000 hours of news and informational programming to some channels, contribute $20 million in venture funds for minority programs, and $9.95 broadband Internet service for low-income households.
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.washingtonpost.com ...
Any word on the politcal bent of the Comcast bubbas?
If Comcast were smart, they would purge the prime time lineup of MSNBC on day one.
I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting on it.....
Sounds like Comcast got blackmailed. Just like BP. You want something, you’d better be prepared to do what we say or your out.
What a ruse.
In any event, Good Bye Olberman.
MSNBC employees will have to comply with the COMCAST CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT very soon...
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=118591&p=irol-govConduct_pf#II
XI. POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
A. DEFINITION OF “CONTRIBUTION”
For purposes of this Section XI, the term “Contribution” means any benefit provided to a federal, state or local candidate, candidate campaign, political party, political committee (e.g., a political action committee (“PAC”) or ballot measure committee), or any entity exempt from federal income taxes under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes monetary contributions (e.g., in the form of a corporate check or a purchase of tickets to a political fundraiser) as well as “in-kind” contributions (e.g., the use of corporate personnel or facilities, or payment for services).
Under this definition, an employee, officer or director may be deemed to have caused the Company to have made a Contribution by engaging in volunteer activity (such as fundraising) for a campaign during working hours or otherwise using Company facilities, office space or personnel in connection with such volunteer activity.
B. GENERAL
Employees, officers and directors are permitted and encouraged to participate in their personal capacity in federal, state and local political activities in compliance with applicable law and the Code. However, employees, officers and directors may not (i) cause the Company to make a federal, state or local Contribution or (ii) engage in any overt, visible and partisan political activity that could cause someone to believe that their actions reflect the views or position of the Company; in either case without prior approval of the General Counsel, the Executive Vice President or Comcast’s Senior Vice President – External Affairs. Employees who work in or supervise their business unit’s community investment or government affairs department are not subject to this pre-approval requirement as long as their activities are in accordance with applicable law, Company policy and the Code.
Comcast corporate will not tolerate Olbermann’s antics.
Fire or let the contracts expire for Blobermann, Madcow, lying O’Donnell, crazy Schultz for starters.
All my leftist friends were against this. Might have just been because they don’t like big businesses getting bigger though.
The Comcast guy that will be running NBCU is a Republican. His boss is a Democrat. But they will both clamp down on MSNBC because they don’t want to lose Comcast cable, internet, phone subscribers over Olbermann and the other freaks on the channel. The money at risk for Comcast is much bigger now because the cable cord can be cut by a customer very quickly.
If any of you guys have comcast and they don’t make changes, go to satellite...
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I agree. Cheap broadband and $20 million for alsharpton cronies has to be paid for by someone - US.
.
I cut Time Warner cable and went to satellite back when they refused to add Fox News to their lineup many moons ago. And I told them why when I cancelled.
Any word on the politcal bent of the Comcast bubbas?
Philly Democrats, in Fast Eddie Rendell’s hip pocket since way back.
I hear they’re more interested in the bottom line than in advancing an agenda.
Bu-bye, Chrissie...and Untermann...and Madcow.
Stephen Burke will run NBCU. He is a Republican, but donates to both parties, with a slight edge to the GOP.
He hasn’t donated a dime to The Kenyan.
Orwell
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