FCC Approves Comcast/NBC Merger (or whatever it is)

[iacas]

What's this mean for you? Well, in addition to a network now being in bed with a provider... Dick Ebersol will surely have input into how Golf Channel is run.

Still looking for some good links...

Edit: http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/fcc-approves-comcastnbc-deal-dick-ebersol-now-calling-shots-at-golf-channel

[Space Cowboy]

The one guy who voted against it is absolutely right. Up in Vancouver Shaw owns cable distribution, internet access, and a network. Has that led to lower prices and greater choices for the consumer?

No, instead to protect it's core cable and video on demand business from companies like Netflix Shaw brought in low monthly download limits and is charging for overages to inflate the  price of downloadable internet content.

[Clambake]

It isn't a merger, but basically intermediate steps for Comcast to control and profit by NBCU's content through an interesting business structure - the companies create a joint venture into which they pool their content, and Comcast controls the distribution with the right to buy out their partner in the JV.   As Erik says, it's another case of the distributor also getting further control of content which in the past has been consumer-unfriendly;  the movie distribution business was taken away from the studios years ago for anti-consumer behavior.    Recent Comcast price increases for Golf Channel, Versus, etc. are more examples of their using distribution power to drive up programming prices.

Here are some good links (Multichannel News is a good source for cable and media distribution news).

This first one is interesting in that it's from late '09 after Roberts concluded the deal; it describes more the strategic rationale, ramifications, etc: http://www.multichannel.com/article/438675-Done_Deal.php

Here's more on the FCC's approval: http://www.multichannel.com/article/462566-FCC_Approves_Comcast_NBCU_Deal.php

[nevets88]

I disagree with Wei. Maybe TGC might benefit, but on the whole, this is not good. Al Franken mentioned on Ars Technica that NBCU is considering pulling their content from Netflix streaming, but that's just talk, I hope. Golfwise, I just watch the majors using over the air signals, so no effect on me. If there were any plans to offer TGC streaming on the interwebs, I'd think a merger would slow that down. TGC is just a little blip on the radar, unless TPTB are golf nuts. For a great overview on how media companies limited our viewing choices and loaded us with advertisements, read Tim Wu's The Master Switch.

[The Dark Lefty]

With all of these "NBC Bretheren" appearing on the Golf Channel lately, does this mean that this is the beginning of the end of Primetime Golf from CBS?  Less Nick Faldo and More Johnny Miller.

And also, can Jim Gray say that he's back working with NBC?

Just some random thoughts...

[clubchamp]

I think cbs will be fine with their future in broadcasting golf. I'm more worried about notre dame games I'm sure it won't be an issue immediately but with the amount of money nbc pays ND I'd have to imagine comcast will want a high viewer rating. If that doesn't happen I could the games getting moved to versus or the deal being dissolved. It could definitely impact if ND has to move to a conference or if they will try to pull a texas and just start their own network. Sorry for rant but I don't think you will see a big change in golf broadcasting.

[q7w]

we all lose when the media continues to be put in fewer and fewer hands

[nevets88]

I haven't been watching golf on tv lately, but there was a WSJ piece this weekend about the merger as it relates to Golf Channel (the "The" was removed in 2008) and NBC. In a nutshell, more cross promotion, "storytelling" , shorter commercials (I'll believe that when I see it), and announcers from both networks being utilized at once although Faldo presents challenges as he is with CBS. Title is "Golf on Television Gets Supersized".