FCC Poised to Clear Comcast-NBC Merger

“Comcast appears poised to win the blessing of one regulatory
body reviewing its proposed $30 billion takeover of NBC Universal,
as officials at the Federal Communications Commission have
indicated that the agency could approve the merger as early as next
month.

“FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has circulated an order among
the commissioners that would grant conditional approval to the
merger, imposing public-interest safeguards to protect the
distribution of competing video content, both online and on
Comcast’s cable platform.

“Announced more than a year ago, the merger of the nation’s
biggest Internet service and cable provider with an entertainment
giant has come under heavy fire from advocacy groups, who have
warned that the pairing of media distribution and content will
inevitably lead to higher prices for consumers and limited access
to rival programming.”

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