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Small Cable Wants Comcast-NBCU Conditions

  • , Wednesday, April 21, 2010 11:51 PM
Small cable companies are promising to push hard for major conditions before Comcast and NBC Universal can move forward with their merger. Steve Friedman, chairman of the American Cable Association, says the trade group for smaller cable systems is concerned that the deal will put them at a significant negotiating disadvantage. Smaller cable systems already feel they pay unfairly high prices to retransmit major network TV outlets compared to bigger systems.

The group told the FCC the deal would reduce or eliminate the incentive for NBC stations to negotiate for retransmission and regional sports networks in areas where the smaller systems compete with Comcast. It also warned that Comcast controlling NBCU could lead to higher cable prices."Without reasonable regulatory constraints, this integration of NBCU with the programming of Comcast is a threat to consumers and competition," said Friedman.

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