6 Ways Comcast-NBC Deal Could Affect Consumers

Investors are still skeptical about the wisdom of cable giant Comcast's bid to purchase control of NBC Universal from General Electric. But consumers could be the ones with the most at stake, according to analysts. "I've been scratching my head to see how this deal could bode well for consumers, and it's hard to see," says Tuna Amobi, a media and entertainment analyst at Standard and Poor's. "It's going to be a consolidation of power in the hands of this new behemoth. It's going to virtually impact consumers on every front." Here are six ways that consumers could be most affected by the deal: 1) Higher Prices — Even For Non-Comcast Customers. 2) Paying For Content That Used To Be Free. 3) Giving ESPN A Run For Its Money. 4) Stunted Competition In Online Video. 5) More Media Mergers On The Way? 6) Or It Could Be Another Failed Merger.