• Reuters, Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:49 PM

Executives from two rival media companies caution that Comcast Corp could face serious antitrust questions if it were to acquire control of NBC Universal.

News Corp. President Chase Carey and Liberty Media Chief Executive Greg Maffei, in separate presentations at a conference, both said such a deal could prove a winner for Comcast, but also raised concerns about regulatory hurdles. Carey said regulators would likely focus on making certain that Comcast ensures "fair access" for rivals to the content it controls as well as fair access to the largest distribution network in the United States. News Corp itself is said to have previously looked at NBC Universal but has since backed off, according to media reports.

Maffei said the regulatory process could become something of a "circus" with competing interests all demanding concessions from the cable company. Given the size and reach of the combination, the FCC as well as antitrust regulators and possibly Congress would likely review the deal.

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