The FCC voted 4-1 to pass the Comcast-NBCU merger while imposing requirements that Comcast-NBCU provide its programming to bona-fide online distributors. Comcast-NBCU is also disallowed from discriminating based on relationships with Comcast-NBCU. In addition, Comcast-NBCU is required both to reduce the price of its broadband services for low-income citizens and include more diverse programs for Spanish speakers. The majority has called this merger a “significant transaction that has the potential to bring exciting benefits to consumers that outweigh potential harms.” But, Commissioner Michael J. Copps claims that the merger “grievously fails the public interest.” Copps believes that given the size of the merger, it should provide more benefits.
The US DOJ is reviewing antitrust concerns, but it believed to be unlikely to challenge the merger.