The FCC is set to approve the joint venture between US cableco Comcast and the broadcaster NBC Universal (NBCU) today, according to media reports.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that the deal is likely to be passed by four votes to one on the…
The FCC is set to approve the joint venture between US cableco Comcast and the broadcaster NBC Universal (NBCU) today, according to media reports.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that the deal is likely to be passed by four votes to one on the Commission, with the Democratic commissioner Michael Copps voting against the proposal.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported that the US Justice Department had approved the deal in its antitrust review, and will announce conditions for the deal after the FCC’s vote.
A decision by the FCC would bring a year’s controversy over the deal to a close.
According to Bloomberg, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski gave his approval to the deal in December, albeit with certain conditions, including that Comcast would need to provide television programmes to online competitors.
According to the FCC’s docket, Comcast would manage the joint venture. It would own 51% of the joint venture, while General Electric (the owner of NBC) would hold 49%.
The FCC refused to comment.
