Monday, December 7, 2009

Comcast Plucks The Peacock Network

Current logo was used since 1986Image via Wikipedia
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) began as a radio network in the 1920s, pioneered television in the 30s and 40s, and in recent years jumped into cable and the Internet.  Now, with its parent company being purchased by a major cable and broadband operator, NBC is evolving again.  Perhaps out of existence.

General Electric has agreed to sell 51% of NBC Universal to Comcast, which would eventually give it control of the company.  The deal includes a broadcast TV network, several cable channels (both NBC's and Comcast's), theme parks and a movie studio.

Before the merger can be completed, the federal government has to give its OK.  Because Comcast would become the most powerful force in the world of communications, they might be asked to (among other things) choose whether or not they could own NBC stations in the same cities where they also have cable systems.  We think they'd rather give up the stations because the broadcast TV business has become a loser in recent years.

NBC brought this on themselves.  Their prime time fortunes have plummeted to the point where they are now last among the Big Four broadcast networks (only CBS is doing well).  The decision to replace dramas in the last hour of prime time with five nights of Jay Leno has so far been a bust, with ratings so bad that the local news that follows is taking a major hit in its numbers.  GE's bean counters must not have been pleased.

What does Comcast bring to the proverbial table?  As a former subscriber, I can tell you that they have moved channels from the basic cable package over to its more expensive digital tier, then not bothering to replace them.  Some of us don't want (or can't afford) high-def TV sets, you know.

Even if you switch to satellite service, Comcast comes back to bite you.  If you have DirecTV and you're a hockey fan, you've probably noticed that Comcast-owned Versus--the National Hockey League's main TV partner--is no longer part of the sports package due to a contract dispute.  Imagine what would happen if they tried to take away NBC, especially around the 2012 London Olympic games they're scheduled to televise.

Some people are concerned that Comcast, with its politically conservative ownership, might try to influence the journalistic balance of NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC.  Not to worry, we're told.  Comcast will leave things be, so Brian Williams, Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow can keep their jobs.  For now.

They say the future of television is going to be on the Internet, and with Comcast leading the way, they're going to make darn sure they're going to be a major part of it.  Like forcing people to become Comcast subscribers so they could access certain websites for content they once watched for free.

That's why consumer groups are manning the battle stations to defeat the merger.  They won't get that, but they will eventually wind up with a leaner company that sold some of its assets to appease the government and its critics.  Which will lead to other media and broadband companies pairing up, and your bills being jacked up.

Welcome to the future.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

No comments:

The 96th Oscars: "Oppenheimer" Wins, And Other Things.

 As the doomsday clock approaches midnight and wars are going in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere, a film about "the father of the atomic bo...