Online Video Protections Needed in Comcast-NBCU Merger
Online video rights have emerged as a focal point in the Department of Justice's review of the proposed Comcast-NBCU merger.
The DOJ's examination of the proposed $30 billion transaction focuses on whether Comcast and other cable and satellite players are trying to lock up distribution rights to television programming on the web.
Comcast, as one of the biggest content distributors in America, and NBC, one of the biggest content producers, could corner much of the Internet video market if there are no provisions to block price fixing or other anti-competitive behavior.
The Communications Workers of America supports imposing conditions on the Comcast-NBCU merger that will guarantee a competitive and fair market for Internet video content.
According to comments filed by the Communications Workers of America with the FCC:
Comcast-NBCU will have the ability to impair the emerging online video market. By tying access of online video to traditional cable subscriptions, Comcast-NBCU can slow the growth of Internet TV and protect Comcast's market power in the supply of cable television service.
To address the potential abuse of market power in the online video marketplace, Comcast-NBCU should be barred from tying access to online content to the purchase of a cable video subscription.
Read CWA's full comments to the FCC.
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