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  (Source: NBC Universal)
The possible Comcast acquisition of NBC has analysts and bloggers writing up a storm

If Comcast  is successful in its attempt to purchase a 51% share of NBC Universal, free online TV content may become harder to view.

Hulu, co-owned by NBC, would then become Comcast's property, in which the company would likely try to monetize its content as soon as possible some analysts believe.  The top online TV show site also is owned by Walt Disney and News Corp. with Comcast seeking the 51% share from GE.

"We suspect Comcast believes it needs content to protect its landline distribution platform," Pali Research analyst Richard Greenfield wrote in a research report.  "It wants to mitigate the risk of becoming that scary 'dumb' pipe."

To help go online, Comcast is currently testing the TV Everywhere, a new service aimed at allowing subscribers to watch TV episodes on the internet.  

Comcast's NBC acquisition will also give the Philadelphia-based company access to its cable networks, movie studio, online presence, and theme park.

Analysts are cautious as it's possible online video and cable TV competition would be reduced if NBC is successfully acquired by Comcast.  The acquisition may draw FCC attention, even though federal regulators may be unlikely to get involved due to the current state of online video.  Notably, NBC owns cable channels Bravo, USA Network and others, and it's possible the FCC may not like if the company's national broadcast network is combined.

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Wow, this would set back online video by years...
By Fox5 on 10/5/2009 8:15:03 PM , Rating: 5
Not only is Hulu the sole legal online provider of many TV shows, but NBC owns a large amount of hit content. NBC has practically paved the way among the major content providers in online distribution, and without the competitive incentive, we may be back to watching indie movies on youtube.

Or piracy will just pick up again.

I'd be willing to pay a monthly fee for a service that allowed unlimited on-demand access (even if streaming) to music, video, and tv. Currently I pay $10 a month for cable, but I'd be willing to pay maybe $15 to $25 to get all the same content, but whenever and wherever I want it.
Alternatively, I could just get a TV card for my HTPC (boxee!), but that would require me to know what I want to watch in advance.




By inperfectdarkness on 10/6/2009 7:30:41 AM , Rating: 2
i'll add $5 to my netflicks membership if they provide all network shows commercial free for online viewing. possibly $10/month if they add cable shows too.

$20/month for unlimited movie/tv/cable viewing--commercial free. hmm.....where do i sign up?


By FITCamaro on 10/6/2009 7:31:39 AM , Rating: 2
Why? You can treat an HTPC like a cable box in setting it to record shows.


By JoshuaBuss on 10/6/2009 9:03:51 AM , Rating: 2
because premiere cable subscriptions cost far more.


RE: Wow, this would set back online video by years...
By HrilL on 10/6/2009 12:37:51 PM , Rating: 2
cable card doesn't do HD so I'd never go that route.


By MrFord on 10/7/2009 11:14:02 AM , Rating: 2
By thornburg on 10/6/2009 9:52:10 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
they provide a competitive TV product and very solid internet service


Is this astroturfing? Do you work for Comcast?

Their TV product isn't competitive--it doesn't need to be, because they are the exclusive carrier in many of their regions.

Their prices are outrageous, and their customer service stinks.

We are talking about the company that treated some old lady so badly she took a hammer to their office and smashed up their copy machine!


By alphadog on 10/6/2009 11:52:53 AM , Rating: 2
Haven't heard anything bad?!? Gadzooks, what happy rock do you live under? Comcast's approval ratings consistently rank below the scum of at the bottom of the barrel.

They provide overpriced and badly-supported TV service, decent Internet service which teeters on the brink of censorship and phone service that's just barely okay.

Please note the quality is inversely proportional to monopolization.


By Spivonious on 10/6/2009 1:23:45 PM , Rating: 2
Well, I meant relatively. Verizon/Time Warner/whatever else are no better.


By Suntan on 10/6/2009 1:50:44 PM , Rating: 3
Well, he's got a point here.

With all these companies, it's really just a contest to see who can come up with the most creative way to express how much they suck.

-Suntan


RE: Wow, this would set back online video by years...
By acase on 10/6/2009 9:39:03 AM , Rating: 2
Yah, this is just the motivation I need to cancel my comcast and switch to...anything else.


By jRaskell on 10/6/2009 1:27:35 PM , Rating: 2
It's unfortunate there isn't anything for most of us to switch to... yet... hopefully.


By grandpope on 10/6/2009 5:10:31 PM , Rating: 2
I just got Uverse available at my house, and i switched so fast from Comcast it wasnt funny. Except for going from 24Mbit to 6Mbit internet, I couldn't be happier.

BTW, I also pay $80/mo less for more channels...


By Drag0nFire on 10/6/2009 12:58:05 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Or piracy will just pick up again.


Really, the title of this article should be "Legal Online TV May Be Under Pressure if Comcast Acquires NBC"


By Lerianis on 10/6/2009 9:54:38 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, all online TV is legal as long as you have a aerial or cable TV subscription. It's the people who DON'T have those things and download using torrent and other things that are doing it 'illegally'.... though I would really like that made legal or for these companies to get off their butts and make ALL their shows available online at no-cost, just have to watch a few commercials.


Just what we need
By Brainonska511 on 10/5/2009 7:47:43 PM , Rating: 5
Just what we need - even larger media conglomerates.




RE: Just what we need
By StevoLincolnite on 10/5/2009 8:37:00 PM , Rating: 3
I think my hope of Hulu being available outside of the United States just went down the drain again... Oh well, I still have my VPN to fall back onto if I need my Hulu fix! They just wont get any advertising money from me.


RE: Just what we need
By BernardP on 10/6/2009 11:24:21 AM , Rating: 2
Hulu and Fancast outside the US: AnchorFree Hotspot Shield. Install after declining all third party software and special options, but you have to accept the ads.


RE: Just what we need
By UlricT on 10/5/2009 8:50:10 PM , Rating: 4
Larger than GE? That should be hard to come by...


RE: Just what we need
By ChristopherO on 10/5/2009 9:47:13 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah no kidding... GE is one of the largest. They were a lot bigger before the financial meltdown, but they're still huge.

What upsets me about Comcast is they asked for a huge amount to put Versus on DirecTV. Versus serves a niche market (cycling, hockey, and outdoors). Given that I love cycling, I'm upset I can't see it, but Comcast acted as if Versus was a must-have.

Content providers are asking too much money for crummy material. And the great shows (Kings, Firefly, Journeyman) never get any legs because they're marketed completely wrong or don't start on a premium channel.

Does buying NBC/Uni make Comcast the biggest loser?


RE: Just what we need
By FITCamaro on 10/6/2009 7:23:43 AM , Rating: 2
Well GE has the full backing of the Obama administration. So they won't be going anywhere.


RE: Just what we need
By FITCamaro on 10/6/2009 7:29:11 AM , Rating: 4
Honestly I'm rather for the companies who provide content being separate from those who create content. But what you gonna do? Maybe NBCs new owners will get rid of all the BS partisan bullshit in NBCs broadcasting.

I'm sorry but I loved Boston Legal. But I got sick of all the political bullshit during the campaign in pushing Obama. And you can say Fox pushed McCain but perhaps you'll remember the controversial Family Guy episode two days before the election where Stewie is in a Nazi uniform and they zoom in and see a McCain/Palin button. If the same thing had been done but with Obama, it would have been a firestorm. Instead it was brushed off as comedy.


RE: Just what we need
By sintaxera on 10/6/2009 8:14:19 AM , Rating: 3
Godwin's Law in effect so early, in a conversation about Comcast and TV? Amazing.


RE: Just what we need
By mcnabney on 10/6/09, Rating: 0
RE: Just what we need
By omnicronx on 10/6/2009 11:58:06 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Or maybe turn off the AM radio and think for yourself for once.
AM? That can be tracked via Obamas super powered spy satellites! Shortwave only for FIT..


RE: Just what we need
By Donovan on 10/6/2009 1:28:14 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
Short bus only for FIT..
Fixed.


RE: Just what we need
By Suntan on 10/6/2009 1:46:30 PM , Rating: 2
Pisz on the people that just want to complain about what you write without reading it.

Personally, I agree with you on this. I liked Boston Legal too, and anything with The Shat automatically goes up a few points. But I just couldn't stand all the stupid political crap. Stopped watching it long ago.

Personally, I'd be fine with NBC getting new owners. Jeff Zucker (pinhead in charge of NBC/Universal) has plainly said mutliple times that he is only interested in putting the most *profitable* shows, not the ones that get the best ratings, on the air. Therefore, you get more reality shows (because they are cheap to make) and you get Leno on at 9pm (because paying his salary is still cheaper than making a good 1 hour drama.)

-Suntan


Irony
By ZombieRitual on 10/5/2009 8:37:59 PM , Rating: 2
I'd like to point it out that the LA Times also had an article on this: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-hulu5-200...

I laughed when I saw this
quote:
The cable operator has a dual interest: to retain cable TV subscribers as well as offer a reason for people to sign up for Comcast's high-speed Internet service or upgrade to speedier access. What better incentive than bandwidth-hogging video files such as movies?


How ironic since Comcast has bandwidth caps.




RE: Irony
By Totally on 10/6/2009 6:40:59 AM , Rating: 2
um no, you're thinking Verizon. Comcast was traffic shaping, not sure whether they still practice it or not.


RE: Irony
By bigbubbajoe on 10/6/2009 7:14:00 AM , Rating: 2
Last I heard, Comcast had a 250GB cap...at least on their 6Mb up, 768Kb down service (I think those are the speeds). I haven't checked into this cap recently, nor have I verified the speed of their service recently either.


RE: Irony
By bighairycamel on 10/6/2009 11:37:54 AM , Rating: 2
That was only in test markets, in Texas if I remember correctly. Not sure what the status is, whether the caps are still in place but the response was overwhelmingly negative for obvious reasons.


By Sungpooz on 10/6/2009 12:56:49 AM , Rating: 3
my crazy ex-girlfriend acquiring my Facebook password.




By Donovan on 10/6/2009 1:34:14 PM , Rating: 3
Except that would provide the rest of us with more entertainment to watch on the Internet, while Comcast acquiring NBC will have the opposite effect.


Cheapest TV
By Alphafox78 on 10/6/2009 9:28:52 AM , Rating: 2
I am probably comcasts worst nightmare: all I subscribe to is basic basic cable (channel 1-13, and only because it discounts my cable internet rate) and high speed internet. my total bill a month is like $47 and it could be even less if I went for the economy internet. I have a HTPC and netflix and via media center I can stream tons of movies/shows that way. I also have a media center plugin for hulu and can get tons of shows that way too. There is also a clear QAM adapter setup which I tune the local stations in high def. I dont pay for a converter box or anything, its great. but im sure comcast doesnt like that all I pay for is internet and get tons of content (I know im missing out on quite a bit, but it works for me) and am just using them for a pipeline!

It wouldn truly stink if they got rid of hulu, that is quite a large source of free content. the commercials arent that bad, and I like how it shows you how long they are. much shorter than watching it live.




RE: Cheapest TV
By EasyC on 10/6/2009 12:35:03 PM , Rating: 2
I just turned into comcast's worst nightmare. I got tired of the 120/month bill just for HD Cable and internet....so I built an HTPC with a hybrid tuner (does analog and clear QAM). I downgraded to basic cable (also because its cheaper) and removed that silly block they put on the cable line. so I get 158 channels according to Windows 7 Media Center.

But I feel ya, I'd hate to lose hulu. Hell, I get pissed when they black out baseball games on MLB.TV.....Proxy server ftw.


RE: Cheapest TV
By Mr Perfect on 10/6/2009 1:02:07 PM , Rating: 2
That sounds like an awesome setup for $47. O_o You get that setup idea from somewhere? Any links you can share?


I like big dumb pipes
By nafhan on 10/6/2009 9:34:46 AM , Rating: 2
I'm thinking that the FCC is going to need to do something to seperate content providers from service providers soon . Otherwise, we're going to be stuck with content lock in. You like The Office? You don't have Comcast? Looks like it's off to BT...

Plus, differntiating by good customer service and reliable connections is expensive! If you can offer something that people can't get elsewhere, you can slack off on the things that should matter to a service provider.




RE: I like big dumb pipes
By cubby1223 on 10/7/2009 3:54:22 AM , Rating: 2
Stuck with content lock in? Please remove your tin-foil hat and place it in the nearest waste receptacle.

Many areas around the country, Chicago nearest me is one of them, have Comcast specific channels, which, *gasp*, are *also* available through DirecTV & Dish!

If you seriously think Comcast will be able to get away with preventing NBC programming from satellite or internet services... I don't know, seems like a lost cause arguing with some people...


Isn't this mostly just speculation?
By cubby1223 on 10/7/2009 3:46:21 AM , Rating: 2
I know the blogs will all be up in arms, but really...

We don't need any more conspiracy theories of the big bad corporations being all corporationny with their evil plots to screw consumers.

Thing is, all people have to do to stop this purchase, is to watch NBC . Nobody wants to do that, so if Comcast wants to purchase a crap product few care about, then let them.

Just grab all your shows off bit-torrent if you're _that_ concerned about online tv dying.




By mindless1 on 10/7/2009 9:29:43 AM , Rating: 2
... or to put it another way it would be insane to think they will give away anything they can find a way to profitize and P2P's future is murky due to even TPB being taken offline, prosecutions, etc.

Yes P2P will live on, but more and more as a nomadic cluster not a daily fixed content provider because once again, money influences people.


This is perfect
By amanojaku on 10/5/2009 8:58:37 PM , Rating: 3
A crappy ISP with no scruples buys a large content provider. Both companies become richer, yet the service and content begins to decline horribly. The resulting entity has a stranglehold on online revenues and squeezes the little guy, forcing young artists with fresh ideas to create their own start ups.

Unlike television, the Internet is relatively inexpensive so start ups have chance. They're smart enough to elude the grasp of the content juggernauts while remaining in contact with fans. The juggernauts slowly erode and fade away while free enterprise reigns supreme. It's time for the next wave of DTs, XKCDs and Penny Arcades.




hmm
By meepstone on 10/5/2009 10:34:52 PM , Rating: 3
still waiting for good movies to appear on that site




Hmmm
By Tom mc3s on 10/6/2009 4:28:26 AM , Rating: 3
In other news: all of NBC's shows are still available via torrents and you don't need Hulu or Comcast to access them.

Seriously though, they can't possibly be dumb enough to ruin something that (in my opinion) helps ebb piracy are they?




Or not.
By Fracture on 10/6/2009 9:58:34 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Online TV May Be Under Pressure if Comcast Acquires NBC


Hmmm... just about as likely as

quote:
Tide May Be Held Back by Fat Chick Jumping in Ocean




By callmeroy on 10/6/2009 12:30:38 PM , Rating: 2
Reading through these posts so far some of you have little to complain about in terms of pricing at least. I'm too lazy to find the posts now since I had to restart to log back into the site to post this...but at least two folks were claiming they pay $10-20 for basic cable and one of those guys said their total bill WITH internet service is $40-something.

How is that possible? What markets are you folks in -- that's DIRT CHEAP!

I'm in the South Jersey / Philly market (comcast's home market area) --- its IMPOSSIBLE to pay comcast less than at least $30 a month, because that's their basic cable pricing plus the federal taxes which are required by law.

Basically about $60 is the cheapest w Internet.




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