Comcast NBC Merger Approved

The following story is news much in the same way as Reagan defeats Mondale was news. We all knew this was coming, but still, it's a monumental event and therefore worth reporting. Today, the FCC officially approved the NBC/ Comcast merger in a 4-1 vote. First rumored, then announced and now approved, 30 Rock humorously spent much of last season commenting on the takeover by the Philadelphia cable provider; we'll see if that plotline continues now that they're technically owned by the product of their insults.

According to CNET, there are numerous terms and stipulations to the deal, most notably that Comcast must provide content to rival internet services, such as YouTube and Netflix, at reasonable and competitive rates.

Speaking about the deal, Independent Film and Television Alliance President Jean Prewitt said, “The closing of the joint venture triggers the July 12, 2010, agreement between the Independent Film and Television Alliance and Comcast-NBCU, which will provide real opportunities for independent producers on the Comcast and NBC platforms, and increase the public's access to diverse programming. In force for four years, the agreement includes increased development and pitch opportunities, a development fund devoted to independents and greater access to Comcast's new media platforms. We hope that this agreement can be a model that can be implemented across the industry.”

In theory, that means the merger won't turn television into more of an old boy's club. We'll see.

Mack Rawden
Editor In Chief

Mack Rawden is the Editor-In-Chief of CinemaBlend. He first started working at the publication as a writer back in 2007 and has held various jobs at the site in the time since including Managing Editor, Pop Culture Editor and Staff Writer. He now splits his time between working on CinemaBlend’s user experience, helping to plan the site’s editorial direction and writing passionate articles about niche entertainment topics he’s into. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English (go Hoosiers!) and has been interviewed and quoted in a variety of publications including Digiday. Enthusiastic about Clue, case-of-the-week mysteries, a great wrestling promo and cookies at Disney World. Less enthusiastic about the pricing structure of cable, loud noises and Tuesdays.