Combining The Airwaves

Image via WikipediaWhile other signs of the economy are having trouble showing signs of life, we know of one aspect that's been picking up lately:  media mergers and acquisitions.

Together At Last

The Comcast-NBC merger has been given the blessing of the Federal Communications Commission, in spite of opposition from politicians and consumer groups.  This will bring together Comcast's vast lineup of channels with NBCU's vast lineup of channels, as well as  the delivery systems of broadcast, cable and the Internet.  Oh yes, NBC's included too.

This won't come without some strings the FCC is attaching.  For one thing, Comcast has to ensure that their rivals in cable and satellite get equal access to their programming.  For another, they must not show preferential treatment in where channels like Bravo or Versus get slotted on the cable systems they own.

For consumers, this means a couple of things.  First, expect higher bills from your cable, satellite and Internet providers.  Second, if companies like Comcast decide to charge more on access to certain web sites, the Internet is going to look a lot like cable does now.  But we'll have to wait and see how the new rules on net neutrality are going to play out.  Third, for those concerned that Comcast might turn NBC News and MSNBC into a more rightward direction, they say that it will not happen.  We'll see.

This could be the beginning of big changes at the broadcast networks.  CBS might merge with Time Warner, meaning the long-awaited union between its news division and CNN might actually take place.  And Disney could decide to unload ABC on either Discovery Communications or News Corp., the owners of Fox.

Hubbard Branches Out

Just when it appeared that they might be getting out of the radio business, the House of Hubbard (as we like to call it around here) pull off a shocker.  For half a billion dollars, they have acquired 17 radio stations in four cities from Bonneville, a Utah-based broadcaster.

In addition to KSTP-AM, FM and TV in the Twin Cities, the Hubbards will soon become (with the FCC's permission) the proud new owners of stations in Chicago, Cincinnati, Washington and St. Louis.  Bonneville, which is owned by the Mormon Church, will keep its stations in Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix, and in its hometown of Salt Lake City where they also own NBC affiliate KSL-TV.

This expansionist move shouldn't detract from the fact that the Hubbards have work to do at home.  Its radio stations are struggling in the ratings, and KSTP-TV's news department took a credibility hit when the Hubbards contributed money to a business group that supported conservative political candidates.

The only question that remains is:  How long will it be before "Garage Logic" is syndicated nationally?