Industry, Labor and Consumer Groups Unite to Raise Concerns about Cable Giant Comcast's Proposed Takeover of NBC

An ad hoc group of industry, labor and public interest organizations from both the Left and the Right expressed grave concern about the proposed Comcast takeover of NBC in an open letter to President Obama and Congress.

Free Press Policy Counsel Corie Wright said the groups share common concerns that Comcast control of NBC would mean less competition and higher costs for consumers. "Groups that seldom work on the same side of an issue agree that the merger of media giants would only hurt the media landscape and further diminish independent content and voices," Wright said. "Both conservative and liberal groups fear that this media mega-merger would result in even less diverse programming than we have now." Wright noted that the letter also includes industry associations like the American Cable Association and the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association, which agree it will be harder on smaller competitors if the government allows the cable giant to get even bigger. Wright added, "Several consumer groups, including Free Press, oppose the proposed merger because it will mean prices will likely go up for consumers."