Franken: 'I don't trust promises' of Comcast, NBC given past experience

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/79821-franken-i-dont-trust-promises-of-comcast-nbc


Franken: 'I don't trust promises' of Comcast, NBC given past experience
By Kim Hart - 02/04/10 03:17 PM ET


Sen. Al Franken said he doesn't trust the promises made by the CEOs of Comcast and NBC Universal "from my experience in this business."

Franken (D-Minn.), a member of the Senate Antitrust subcommittee, said his previous career "has given me reason to be very concerned about this potential merger."

A former actor and comedian, Franken worked for NBC for many years as a writer and performer on "Saturday Night Live."

"It matters who runs our media companies," he said. "The media are our source of entertainment. They're also how we get information about the world.

"So when the same company that produces those programs runs the pipes, we have reason to be nervous," he said.

In the past, Franken said, NBC made promises to allow programming it did not own to air on its stations. But instead, it is common practice for networks to demand ownership of independent programming before placing it in primetime lineups.

"It's completely opposite of what NBC said they would do," he said. "You'll have to excuse me if I don't trust these promises."

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts pledged NBC content will be made available to competitors and to consumers online.

Franken said he is also worried this merger will set off another round of media consolidation, similar to when Viacom bought CBS and Disney bought ABC.

"The next thing we know is AT&T and Verizon think they have to buy a network in order to compete," he said.

[arthritisR_US]

1. one of the few senators who is actually working for the people! n/t

[rhett o rick]

7. .

[Blue Owl]

2. Yes!

Who would trust these mega-corporations, anyway?

Someone pretty stupid and gullible, that's who.

[gratuitous]

3. But this time, they're pledging, not promising

So that makes it all right. Right? I suppose that socialist Franken is going to require a pinky swear? MORE???

[abelenkpe2]

4. Way to go Senator!

A pledge is useless. We need to break up big media and all big corporations.

[jtrockville]

5. Next thing you know, these mega-merged companies will be

TOO BIG TO FAIL

[BadgerKid]

6. Fascist takeover of the media can't be so bad

:sarcasm:

[progressoid]

8. Ya know, I was worried Al would be too much of a centrist.

I'm glad my worries have so far been unfounded. He has been kickin' asses and takin' names.

Go Al go.

[defendandprotect]

9. Perfect response . . . while the Repugs try to suggest that consumers

should have no fear!!!

And that consumer activists are "paranoid"!!

[ddeclue]

10. Neither will Senator Conan O'Brien some day!

:rofl: