Comcast and NBCU: Merger would further FCC project examining media

Comcast and NBC Universal met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials on Oct 8 to argue that their proposed merger would further the goals of the commission's Future of Media project.

The Future of Media project is assessing whether Americans have access to an acceptable set of news sources. It will issue a report on that question. The report will examine issues ranging from news business models to the information needs of local communities. NBC Universal and Comcast representatives discussed how their merger will further the goals of this project. They focused on "both companies' historic and ongoing commitments to their local communities and the ways in which the transaction will benefit communities and citizens by allowing NBCU to expand its production and distribution of local news on multiple platforms." The companies also said their effort to "nurture the next generation of professional journalists" is also consistent with the Future of Media project.