Lawmaker says joint venture would have “dramatic and durable” impact on media marketplace

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member and former chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee, today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski outlining areas for the Commission to focus on as part of its review of the proposed joint venture between Comcast and NBC Universal (NBCU).

“The expansive breadth of the combination of Comcast and NBCU has the potential to have a dramatic and durable impact on the media marketplace.  Accordingly, the Commission’s scrutiny of the transaction, consistent with its duty to ensure that it is in the public interest, is essential for a vibrant media ecosystem now and in the future.”

In his letter, Markey pointed out several areas that merit particular Commission scrutiny, including:

Ensuring access to programs on reasonable terms and conditions to Comcast competitors;
Program carriage on Comcast’s system for independent networks that compete with Comcast; and
The impact of the proposed joint-venture on online video.

Rep. Markey served as chairman or ranking member of the telecommunications subcommittee from 1987 to 2009, during which time he was a strong advocate for consumers, competition, and innovation in the communications marketplace.

For a copy of the letter click HERE .

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