Web Giants Oppose Comcast, NBCU Merger

Opposition to Comcast's proposed acquisition of 51 percent of NBC Universal continues to grow even as regulators near a decision to approve the transaction. On Monday (Nov. 29), NetCoalition—representing Internet companies such as Amazon, eBay, Bloomberg, IAC/InterActive Corp., Google and Yahoo—joined the Coalition for Competition in Media, a group of 24 groups that oppose the deal as currently proposed, reports Katy Bachman at mediaweek.com.

The deal is in the home stretch of review by both the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission and could be approved by the end of the year. Optimistic that they can close within weeks, Comcast recently named its executive management that will run the combined media company, a controversial, yet typical move for big mergers.

While Comcast and NBCU prepare for approval, a wide variety of public interest groups and stakeholders continue to raise concerns about the deal including a lack of competition and diversity, higher costs for consumers and lack of access for independent producers and creators.

Read more here.