Today, the FCC approved Comcast’s acquisition of NBC Universal, marking the first time a cable provider has controlled a major broadcast network. It’s like a media Frankenstein!
Along with promising to add 1000 hours of news and informational programming and provide cheap broadband for low-income households, Comcast has assured everyone that it will provide equal and open access to NBC content. Still, one FCC commissioner voted against the acquisition, warning that the deal “reaches into virtually every corner of our media and digital landscapes” and “confers too much power in one company’s hands”. Let’s hope he’s not completely right. [NYT, WaPo]