Should Consumers Fear the Comcast Deal?

[Commentary] Dueling banjos debate the merits of the proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger. Schwartzman says the deal "poses a genuine threat to free expression and diversity of speech in our democratic society." Thierer writes, "The media merger worrywarts should cool the Chicken Little rhetoric and give markets a chance to evolve." Sohn believes consumers have every right to expect that a big merger like Comcast-NBC Universal will produce some benefits — more choice in programming, some lower prices — to justify regulatory approval of this marriage. But, she cautions, the great danger is that just the opposite will happen — less choice in programming and higher prices, particularly in the online world. Harper says chances are low that a large Internet service provider like Comcast can use its position to milk super-normal profits from the desirable content of its new acquisition. Rosen posits that even if Comcast forces viewers to start paying for NBC content, so be it, if it gives us the complete viewing freedom we've long desired.