Comcast released a memo this morning summarizing what it will promise regulators in order to win approval of its NBCU mega-deal with GE.  It’s a laughable document that demonstrates a cable monopolist mentality. As the country’s most powerful cable and residential broadband company, they likely feel that they don’t have to really provide a serious array of public interest commitments.  Even though the broadcasting business is in transition, and film distribution is changing, the sale of NBCU to what is arguably the dominant TV giant isn’t on its own a meaningful public interest benefit. Indeed, the recent history of media consolidation in the U.S. is one that has actually harmed the public–through cutbacks in news and public affairs, more tabloid programming and higher cable TV rates, for example.
Comcast’s memo today [available via here] says nothing on the key (and crucial) issue of network neutrality and online programming access. Nor are there any safeguards for privacy and interactive ads, meaningful concrete funding commitments for local and national news, and support for truly diverse (non-Comcast/NBCU owned) minority programming.  Today, Comcast demonstrated it’s only fit to perhaps be allowed to operate Comedy Central.
