Small cable, online video companies warn of anticompetition in Comcast, NBC merger

What worries cable and online video companies most about the expected merger between Comcast and NBC Universal? They say the combined entertainment giant would have too much control over a wide body of content. And it could make it difficult for competitors to offer NBC broadcast and cable shows and Universal movies in the same way Comcast subscribers would receive it. RCN, a smaller cable operator based in Herndon, Va., says a merger between Comcast and NBC Universal would be "bad for competition and therefore bad for consumers." The company said it fears that such an entertainment Goliath could hurt smaller cable competitors who already struggle getting good programming to their consumers. Even with federal rules that ensure choice programming held by Comcast is available to competing cable operators, it says Comcast doesn't always do so easily.