FCC Approves Comcast-NBC Universal Merger
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 · 
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Update: The deal is now done. The FCC and the DoJ have both approved the transaction, imposing separate but overlapping conditions on the merger.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) still has to approve the transaction, although industry analysts largely view DOJ’s approval as a given.
As part of its approval, the commission stipulated certain conditions and “enforceable commitments” which will require Comcast-NBCU to take affirmative steps to foster competition in the video marketplace. In addition, Comcast-NBCU will increase local news coverage to viewers; expand children’s programming; enhance the diversity of programming available to Spanish-speaking viewers; offer broadband services to low-income Americans at reduced monthly prices; and provide high-speed broadband to schools, libraries and underserved communities, among other public benefits.
For more, see this FCC release.
Washington Report will have more analysis later this week.
Networks Block Google TV: The End of Free TV?
Posted by Steve Fravel on Monday, October 25, 2010 · ·
Are free episodes of popular television network programs going away? With Hulu Plus and other possible solutions, they just may be. The notion of “cutting the cord” and staying online for program content may just be a passing fad. ABC, NBC and CBS have made their content at TV.com and ABC.com unreachable by the Google browser, and, as a result, by Google TV.
The indication seems to be that ad-supported, free episodes may soon be a thing of the past. During the heat of the Fox/Cablevision dust-up on retransmission, Fox blocked Cablevision subscribers from accessing popular network programs such as Glee online. Although online access was restored within hours, this added fuel to the fire and may be the direction that the networks will take. Read more
FCC Institues a Temporary Delay in the Comcast-NBC U Merger Examination
Posted by Steve Fravel on Friday, June 25, 2010 · ·
Due to errors in filings provided to the FCC, the commission has halted the NBC Universal – Comcast merger vetting process. According to reports, the paperwork submitted by NBC U and Comcast did not comply with instructions provided by the FCC. This is the second delay in the action that began on March 18.
The FCC requested information concerning organizational structure of the companies, channel line-ups, content acquisition and content distribution. The FCC sent letters dated June 24, 2010, informing NBC U and Comcast that the process would be stopped until they had provided the requested information in compliance with the instructions they had given.
The pause will not affect the the “pleading cycle.” The next group of filings will be due on July 21 and the replies on August 5.
No timetable has been indicated for the revised information to be re-submitted.
VOTW:Free Press Releases ‘Comcastaction’ Video
Posted by Steve Fravel on Thursday, May 20, 2010 · ·
The media advocacy association FreePress has released a video on YouTube to help illustrate the facts of the Comcast-NBC Universal merger. While humorous in concept, the video is a serious work and provides details that show just how enormous the Comcast – NBCU conglomerate would be in terms of networks and properties.
Additional information and tools for adding comments on the merger are available via the Free Press website.
Hulu Plans Subscription Service
Posted by Steve Fravel on Thursday, April 22, 2010 · ·
The popular and trendy on-line video site Hulu has released information concerning a test of subscription service that is likely to begin near the end of May.
According to the subscription proposal; the plan calls for Hulu to continue offering “free” access to the five most recent episodes of programs like Lost, Saturday Night Live, Grey’s Anatomy, Parenthood and Glee.
Those who may want to “dig deeper” in time and look at older episodes from previous seasons would be required to pay a $9.95 monthly access fee. This fee would allow the viewer to choose from a more complete catalog of program episodes. The pay service is reported to be named “Hulu Plus.”
Hulu which is jointly owned by NBC Universal, New Corp and the Walt Disney Company is currently second in monthly video stream consumption to the number one ranked YouTube service.
The subscription for Hulu is a major change in the way in which Hulu has been doing business over the past two years. The Hulu owners are concerned that too much free access to content will dilute the value of on-line television in a manner similar to the music industry whose revenues dropped due to free access to songs on-line.
Studios, Cable Companies Partner to Promote VoD
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, March 22, 2010 · ·
Eight Hollywood studios and eight cable companies have joined forces for a $30 million advertising campaign during the next three months to promote awareness of movies available on cable video on demand (VoD). This is the first time rival studios have come together to push consumers to rent more movies through their cable boxes.
The TV, print and online ad campaign will feature the theme “The Video Store Just Moved In” and will promote the ease of ordering movies at home, via the click of a remote. It also includes a dedicated Web site at CableVideoStore.com and a Movies on Demand logo. Read more
Comcast, GE Strike a Deal on NBC Universal
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, December 7, 2009 · ·
It’s official. Late last week, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, announced an agreement to acquire NBC Universal from the General Electric (GE) Company. The deal valued NBC Universal at about $30 billion. As expected, the agreement gives Comcast 51%, and G.E. 49% ownership of the new joint entity which will not only produce content, but also control consumer’s access to it.
Comcast will contribute its cable channels to the joint venture, which include Versus, the Golf Channel and E Entertainment, worth about $7.25 billion, and will pay G.E. about $6.5 billion in cash, for a total of $13.75 billion.
Most of NBC’s value is in its cable channels — USA, Bravo, SyFy, CNBC and MSNBC. These networks, along with the channels that Comcast will contribute to the joint venture, will compose 82% of the company’s cash flow. The NBC network and Universal Studios will account for only a small portion of the joint company’s cash flow. Read more