To Whom It May Concern at the FCC, I Am Writing to You Today to Voice My Concern About the Merging of Comcast and NBC. After

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

To whom it may concern at the FCC, I am writing to you today to voice my concern about the merging of Comcast and NBC. After much research of this merging, it is apparent to me that it will do more harm than good for the public, as well as myself. If this deal goes through as proposed, Comcast would control a variety of different mediums. That’s including cable and the internet. And it is probable that it will mean higher prices for consumers when it comes to both the internet and cable. As consumers, we are already paying a good amount for these luxuries. Why pay more? The Comcast-NBC merger also causes problems for their competitors. How are other companies supposed to compete with these two power houses? This means problems for channels such as ABC or CBS. But it also means problems for companies such as Verizon Fios and DirectTv. For consumers with these as providers instead of Comcast, prices may rise for them also because they cannot compete. As a viewer who does not have Comcast as their provider, I’m afraid that I will be prohibited from seeing some content. With having Verizon Fios, I have already dealt with not having the Comcast Network . This made me miss a variety of games played by my favorite sports teams. How much more will I have to miss out on because I do not have Comcast as a provider? Also, what will this merger mean for video internet sites? Websites like Hulu will be threatened if these to companies come together. As someone who uses Hulu, this is a big concern. Hulu is apparently a threat to Comcast. It is partially owned by NBC and a competitor of Comcast’s TV Everywhere. Even if this merging does not kill Hulu, it may lead to consumers having to pay for it. The Comcast-NBC merger seems to have more problems than it does benefits. It doesn’t seem to be worth all the trouble, and it definitely isn’t worth all the money. As a major consumer of cable television and also the internet, I would not want to see this merger occur. .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Comcast/NBC Universal Merger CASE STUDY
Comcast/NBC Universal Merger CASE STUDY Client In 2010, US cable company Comcast, a Multichannel Video Programming Distributor, and NBC Universal Inc (NBCU), a broadcast and for-pay programming provider, sought BLOOMBERG TV government approval for their proposed merger. During the merger review, Bates White Partner, Duke University professor, and former FCC chief economist Leslie M. Industry Marx submitted a report on behalf of Bloomberg TV, a video programming provider that had concerns about the merger impeding its effective competition in this market. COMMUNICATIONS Professor Marx suggested a number of remedies that were subsequently imposed on the merging parties by the FCC. Professor Marx showed how the integration between NBCU-owned CNBC, the dominant business channel, and Comcast, the dominant programming distributor in areas where demand for financial news is highest (e.g., New York and Chicago), would greatly increase the merged firm’s ability and incentive to anticompetitively foreclose Bloomberg TV from accessing end users (TV viewers and Internet users). After explaining the economic theories that led to a conclusion regarding competitive harm from the merger’s vertical integration, Professor Marx empirically measured the extent to which the merged firm could distort competition in the provision of financial news programming. Among other avenues, competitive harm could come from Comcast’s refusal to include Bloomberg TV in some of its programming bundles. This action would place Bloomberg TV in a tier with fewer subscribers, thereby disadvantaging Bloomberg TV and making end users more likely to turn to CNBC. Professor Marx also proposed conditions that could alleviate the anticipated competitive harms she had identified.
[Show full text]
Moments That Matter Executive Summary 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report (Covering 2016)
Moments that matter Executive Summary 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report (covering 2016) At Comcast NBCUniversal, we bring people closer to what matters. To the moments of purpose and passion that make our world a better place. About our commitment “Across all of our businesses “As a technology and broadband and platforms, we have a unique leader, it is our responsibility opportunity to connect people and obligation to do what to the moments that matter we can to help close the most to them.” digital divide.” BRIAN L. ROBERTS DAVID L. COHEN Chairman and CEO Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer From our place as one of the largest media, technology, and broadband companies in the world, we have the unique ability to help solve some of the most challenging social issues of our time. Our impact starts with our philanthropy and volunteerism, and it grows with our efforts to connect the unconnected and our ability to amplify the voices of today’s change- makers in our communities and within our own walls. That’s why we invest in digital inclusion, foster the brightest innovators and entrepreneurs, and spotlight young, diverse filmmakers. It’s why we hold up the microphone for community problem-solvers, and uphold and empower our own Comcast NBCUniversal family to make a lasting difference. Our influence and reach make it possible to create a positive impact every day. $500+ million In 2016, Comcast NBCUniversal provided more than $500 million in cash and in-kind contributions to local and national organizations that share our commitment to improving communities.
[Show full text]
A Retrospective Analysis of Vertical Mergers in Multichannel Video Programming Distribution Markets: the Comcast-NBCU Merger
PHOENIX CENTER FOR ADVANCED LEGAL & ECONOMIC PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 440 Washington, D.C. 20015 Tel: (+1) (202) 274-0235 • Fax: (+1) (202) 318-4909 www.phoenix-center.org Lawrence J. Spiwak, President 16 March 2018 VIA EMAIL Douglas Rathbun Competition Policy and Advocacy Section Antitrust Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 3413 Washington, DC 20530 RE: USDOJ Roundtable on Antitrust Consent Decrees Dear Mr. Rathbun: The Department announced that it intends to hold a public roundtable on April 26, 2018 which will focus on antitrust consent decrees, including the regulatory nature of consent decrees that involve behavioral remedies. To help inform the discussion, please find attached a copy of a recent Phoenix Center paper entitled A Retrospective Analysis of Vertical Mergers in Multichannel Video Programming Distribution Markets: The Comcast-NBCU Merger. In this paper, Phoenix Center Chief Economist Dr. George S. Ford presents a retrospective analysis of the price effects of the Comcast-NBCU merger. In particular, Dr. Ford conducts an econometric analysis of data on the prices paid for programming by multichannel video programing distributors (“MVPDs”) before and after the transaction and finds no evidence that Comcast’s programming prices rose after the merger. The analysis covers general interest programming, news channels, and national and regional sports networks. Given these results, Dr. Ford concludes that there is either a lack of a net positive effect on incentives to raise programming prices above competitive levels following the vertical merger or that the behavioral remedies placed on the Comcast-NBCU merger were effective.
[Show full text]
Philadelphia
Business TV Basic SD HD SD HD SD HD SD HD 2 601 KJWP Me TV 9 602 WTXF - Fox 20 614 WWSI - Telemundo 191 HSN 3 604 KYW - CBS 10 610 WCAU - NBC 21 607 QVC 615 WPPX ION 5 605 WPSG - CW 12 612 WHYY - PBS 22 609 HSN 853-902 Music Choice 6 606 WPVI - ABC Affiliate 13 613 WNJN PBS 24 603 WUVP - Univision Digital Music 7 617 WPHL 15 WLVT - PBS 25 Retro TV 8 608 RCN TV 19 WFMZ - Independent 190 QVC Business TV News SD HD SD HD SD HD SD HD 126 550 BBC America 305 650 CNN Custom 311 652 MSNBC 320 655 TWC 189 Discover Lehigh 306 656 CNN Headline News 315 653 Fox News Channel 322 Fusion Valley 310 651 CNBC 316 654 Fox Business 325 657 Bloomberg 301 C-SPAN Network Business TV Entertainment SD HD SD HD SD HD SD HD 101 619 BET 115 637 E! Entertainment 221 669 TV Land 333 660 Travel 105 620 A&E 116 658 truTV 222 641 Freeform 335 661 Discovery 106 621 Bravo 141 596 FXM 224 642 Food 340 662 History 107 622 TBS 142 667 American Movie 225 643 HGTV 345 663 TLC 108 623 TNT Classics 241 649 Nickelodeon 350 670 Nat Geo 109 624 USA 160 675 MTV 250 647 Disney 362 698 FXX 111 626 FX 165 676 VH1 256 Sprout 202 639 Lifetime Business TV Sports SD HD SD HD SD HD SD HD 363 681 ESPN 370 685 Comcast 376 YES National 389 690 NFL Network 364 682 ESPN 2 Sportsnet PA 380 575 CBS College Sports 391 695 MLB Network 365 683 ESPNEWS 372 686 Big Ten Network 381 694 The Golf Channel 392 697 NBA TV 368 680 ESPNU 374 MSG National 382 691 NBC Sports Network 375 689 Fox Sports 1 388 693 NHL Network Philadelphia Not all channels are available in all areas.
[Show full text]
Adelphia-Time Warner=Comcast Transaction Is Not in the Public I N Terest
Adelphia-Time Warner=Comcast Transaction is Not in the Public In terest CWA Presentation to FCC February 22,2006 Transaction is Not in the Public Interest . Anti-Competitive Impact . Negative Impact on Employees 2 Part 1. Anti-Competitive Impact . Cable companies have already used their market power to stifle video competition by limiting access to Regional Sports Networks or raising prices w The transaction will significantly increase market power in regions with RSNs Cable companies will have even more incentive and power to limit prospective Telco competitors 3 Cable Companies Have Utilized their Market Power over RSNs to Stifle Current DBS Competition . Exclusive Deals Comcast in Philadelphia has exclusive access to its RSN that carries Phillies, 76ers and Flyers Time Warner in Charlotte obtained exclusive access to an unaffiliated RSN that carried Bobcats games - even after this RSN went off the air Bobcat games are still only carried by Time Warner. 9 Increased Rates Comcast in Chicago bought the RSN and doubled the rate charged to DirecTV Time Warner in Cleveland has exclusive marketing deal with a new RSN that only carries Indians games but is charging competitors a rate that is almost the same as previously paid to carry Indians, Cavaliers, Reds and Blue Jackets games. Comcast and Time Warner own Sportsnet NY a new RSN that will carry Mets games but is charging higher prices than the YES network that carries Yankees games - even though the Mets have 1/3 the ratings The Impact of Cable’s Strategy: Less Competition Where cable companies have exclusive Regional Sports Networks, satellite penetration is half the national rate National Satellite Penetration 25.1 percent San Diego (Cox exclusive Padres) 12.8 percent .
[Show full text]
Spinco to Be Known As Greatland Connections Inc
Filed by Charter Communications Inc. Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933 and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Subject Company: Charter Communications Inc. Commission File No. 001-33664 The following is a joint press release that was issued on September 3, 2014 by Charter Communications, Inc. and Comcast Corporation: SpinCo to be known as GreatLand Connections Inc. STAMFORD, Conn. and PHILADELPHIA - September 3, 2014 - Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) and Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) today announced the name of the new cable company that will be spun off from Comcast upon completion of the Comcast - Time Warner Cable merger and the Comcast - Charter transactions. The company referred to as “SpinCo” or “Midwest Cable LLC” will be known as GreatLand Connections Inc. “We are pleased to publicly announce the name of this exciting new company we are building,” said Michael Willner, President and Chief Executive Officer of GreatLand Connections. “The name GreatLand Connections pays homage to the rich history and striking geographies of the diverse communities in which the company will operate. It brings to mind our commitment to connecting people and businesses with terrific products and excellent service in the almost 1000 historic communities - large and small - across the 11 states we will serve.” GreatLand Connections Inc., a new, independent, publicly-traded company, will own and operate former Comcast systems serving approximately 2.5 million customers across the Midwest and Southeast. At its inception, it is expected to be the fifth largest cable company in the United States.
[Show full text]
Internet Essentials from Comcast Has Helped 10 Million Low-Income Americans Connect to the Tools and Resources They Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Digital World
Internet Essentials from Comcast has helped 10 million low-income Americans connect to the tools and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Dave Watson .................................................................2 Digital Divide in the U.S. ...................................................................5 Program Timeline ............................................................................6 Program Retrospective .....................................................................8 Program Design ............................................................................ 10 Elements of Success ...................................................................... 16 Program Impact ................................................................................ 20 What’s Next ....................................................................................... 24 Commitment to Digital Equity ........................................................ 26 Student from Northeast High School III 1 Letter from Dave Watson $ about Comcast’s Commitment 7to 00Digital EquityM When we launched Internet Essentials 10 years ago, we began an ambitious journey to connect low-income Americans to the Internet. Thanks to the hard work and support of so many, Internet Essentials is now the largest and most comprehensive Internet adoption program in the country, connecting more than 10 million* people. Ten million people over 10 years is an exciting milestone, but it’s just the beginning
[Show full text]
Comcast Channel Lineup
• Basi.c Service , $ 14.99 Equipment and Options (prices per month) The minimum level of service available and is required before you HOTV Equipment Charge~ ... .., ...............•.........$ 7.00 can subscribe to additional services, HO OVR Service .................•........................$ 15.95 SO DVR Service ..................................•........$ 8.95 Starter Cable , $ 55.99 Digital/Analog Converter . .. .....................•........$ 3.20 Includes Starter Cable channels plus OCT & Remote. Analog Converter for Basic Service Only ......•............ " .$ 1.00 Digital/Analog Remote Control . .•.......•.. ,... .$ 0.20 Digital Preferred ,,,,, $ 16.95 This package can be added to Starter Cable and includes the Installation and Service' channels in Digital Classic. Home Installation (Wired) ......., .......•........ , .$ 23.99 Home InstaiJation (Unwired) ............................•... .$ 33.99 Digital Preferred Plus Package , $ 107.99 Additional Connection at Time of Imliallnstall , $ 12.99 Includes the channels in Starter Cable. Digital Classic, and HBO Additional Connection Requiring Separate Trip ..........•.....$ 20.99 and STARZl. Move Outlet ........................................•. , ..$ 16.99 Upgrade of Services _.......•.. , ..$ 14.99 Digital Premier Package , ,.$ 127,99 Downgrade of Services ,... .. , ..........•.........•....$ 10.95 Includes the channels in Starter Cable, Digital Classic, Sports Change of Service or Equipment Activation ........•......•.....$ 1.99 Entertainment Tier, HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starzl. Connect VCR at Time of InitiallnstaiJ $ 5.99 Connect VCR Requiring Separate Trip .................•......$ 12.99 Digital Premium Services. ,,,,, $ 19.99 Hourly Service Charge. .........,.. $ 30.99 Premium services can be added to any Digital package, Select Service Call Trip Charge ........ $ 27.20 from HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, STARZI Administrative Fee for Delinquent Accounts at 30 Days $ 5.95 or E(1core. Administrative Fee for Delinquent Accounts at 60 Days ,$ 5.95 Additional Late Fee Every 30 Days After.
[Show full text]
Cable Network Unit Values Sources: National Cable & Telecommunications Association, SNL Kagan, the Nielsen Company & Various Sources 2013
Cable Network Unit Values Sources: National Cable & Telecommunications Association, SNL Kagan, The Nielsen Company & Various Sources 2013 Ct. Cable Network 2013 Subscribers 2013 Units 1 3net 1,100,000 3 2 A&E Network 99,000,000 283 3 ABC Family 97,232,000 278 --- Adult Swim (see Cartoon Network) --- --- 4 Africa Channel, The 11,100,000 31 5 AMC 97,000,000 277 --- AmericanLife (see YouToo TV ) --- --- 6 Animal Planet 97,051,000 277 7 Anime Network 84,000,000 240 8 Antena 3 400,000 1 9 Arabic Channel, The 1,014,000 3 10 ART (Arab Radio & Television) 500,000 1 11 ASPIRE 9,900,000 28 12 AXS TV (fka HDNet) 36,900,000 105 13 Bandamax 2,200,000 6 14 Bay News 9 1,000,000 2 15 BBC America 80,687,000 231 16 BBC World News 12,000,000 34 17 BET 98,000,000 280 18 BET Gospel 11,100,000 32 19 BET Hip Hop 700,000 2 --- BET Jazz (see CENTRIC) --- --- 20 Big Ten Network 75,000,000 214 21 Biography Channel 69,316,000 198 22 Blackbelt TV 9,600,000 27 23 Bloomberg Television 73,300,000 209 24 BlueHighways TV 10,100,000 29 25 Boomerang 55,300,000 158 26 Bravo 94,969,000 271 27 Bravo! Canada 5,800,000 16 28 Bridges TV 3,700,000 11 29 California Channel 5,800,000 16 30 Canal 24 Horas 8,000,000 22 31 Canal Sur 2,800,000 8 --- Capital News 9 (see YNN Capital Region ) --- --- 32 Caracol TV 2,000,000 6 33 Cartoon Network / Adult Swim 99,000,000 283 34 Casa Club TV 500,000 1 35 CBS Sports Network (fka CBS College Sports Network) 47,900,000 137 page 1 of 8 2013 Cable Unit Values Exhibit (4-9-13) Ct.
[Show full text]
Xumo Taps Newsy As News Content Partner on Its Smart TV Platform
Xumo taps Newsy as news content partner on its smart TV platform Oct. 27, 2015 CINCINNATI – Viewers of Newsy, the leading over-the-top video news service that brings context and perspective to a growing millennial audience, will now have another way to access its content. As part of a deal announced today, Newsy will offer a channel on Xumo, a new connected TV technology platform that provides free access to programming across multiple content delivery options. The partnership provides for easy viewing of Newsy’s live and on-demand content on smart television sets. Newsy is a wholly owned subsidiary of The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP). The deal is the latest in Newsy’s growing roster of OTT distribution partners, which also includes Comcast’s Watchable, Pluto TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. Xumo viewers will be able to view Newsy via Newsy Live, a continually updated feed of the day’s top stories as well as hourly updates from the newsroom, as well as on-demand. “With connected TV households reaching majority this year, Newsy’s partnership with Xumo is all about positioning the company to deliver our brand of journalism when and where our younger audience is seeking it,” said Blake Sabatinelli, general manager of Newsy. Xumo sought to strengthen its news offerings with Newsy’s world and national news coverage across verticals including politics, entertainment, science and technology. Newsy is known for delivering video news and analysis of the top stories from around the world, without the hype and bias found in some other news providers.
[Show full text]
Achieving "The Franchise": the Comcast-Nbc Universal Merger and the New Media Marketplace
ACHIEVING "THE FRANCHISE": THE COMCAST-NBC UNIVERSAL MERGER AND THE NEW MEDIA MARKETPLACE Thomas Curtint I. INTRODUCTION In 1997, then-Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") Reed Hundt delivered a speech to the leaders of the cable industry in which he described the future of cable television in terms of what he called "the Franchise."' According to Hundt, this model "consists of the core package of the most popular TV channels and the most popular way to deliver them." Hundt acknowledged that the cable industry "has made huge inroads on the delivery side," and classified broadcast television as "the other side of the Franchise." 2 The Chairman further forecasted that "the core pro- gramming package may or may not be possessed by local broadcasters in the future."' Nearly thirteen years after Chairman Hundt foretold an all-in-one entertain- ment content and delivery service, the Comcast Corporation ("Comcast") is on its way to realizing this vision of "the Franchise," as the media delivery giant undertakes efforts to merge with NBC Universal.' If successful, the merger would give the nation's largest cable corporation control over NBC Univer- t J.D. Candidate, May 2011. Tom would like to thank his parents, Thomas and Donna Curtin, his brother Frank and his extended family for always encouraging the writing proc- ess. He would also like to thank his friends for their constant support, and the Editors and Associates of COMMLAW CONSPECTUS Volumes 18 and 19 for their valued input and advice. I Reed Hundt, Chairman, Fed. Commc'ns Comm'n, Speech at the National Cable Television Association: Cable, Broadcasting, and The Franchise (Mar.
[Show full text]
Downloading of Movies, Television Shows and Other Video Programming, Some of Which Charge a Nominal Or No Fee for Access
Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO Commission file number 001-32871 COMCAST CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) PENNSYLVANIA 27-0000798 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) One Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2838 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (215) 286-1700 SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT: Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on which Registered Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value NASDAQ Global Select Market Class A Special Common Stock, $0.01 par value NASDAQ Global Select Market 2.0% Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due 2029 New York Stock Exchange 5.50% Notes due 2029 New York Stock Exchange 6.625% Notes due 2056 New York Stock Exchange 7.00% Notes due 2055 New York Stock Exchange 8.375% Guaranteed Notes due 2013 New York Stock Exchange 9.455% Guaranteed Notes due 2022 New York Stock Exchange SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
[Show full text]