If Comcast wants to enter the broadcast world by acquiring NBC Universal it better be ready to deal fairly and equitably with other over-the-air networks, owners of television stations carrying ABC, CBS and Fox programming are saying.
The stations, concerned that Comcast will give NBC an unfair programming advantage, told Comcast in a letter that they want the MSO to meet "certain regulatory conditions." The letter didn't say what those might be, and station group members declined to elaborate in person. It's expected the demands will be laid on the table if and when the group ever gets to meet with Comcast.
Broadcasters aren't the only ones worried that one big media giant might hurt everyone else. The merger has been under pretty steady attack by the American Cable Association (ACA) membership who think that it would give Comcast license to raise programming prices for other video providers. Comcast, for its part, is spending time talking with other cable operators, government bodies, networks, network affiliates and anyone else who will show up with complaints about the $30 billion takeover.
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