Politic365 Staff
+ FollowRep. Bobby Rush Seeks Approval of Comcast/NBCU Merger
After months of protracted debate regarding the proposed Comcast/NBC Universal merger, Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) recent filed comments before the Federal Communications Commission urging that the Commission approve the proposed joint venture.
Acknowledging the diversity concerns that many have stated with regard to this merger, Congressman Rush noted that “Comcast’s diversity related commitments in the areas of media ownership, programming, procurement, employment, community investment, and corporate governance respond to key priorities that members of this Commission and I have identified as essential components of a transaction worthy of favorable consideration.” According to Rush, “[b]eyond the core issue of media diversity, the parties have committed to take significant steps to enhance their workplace recruitment, career development, and supplier diversity practices.” So much so that Rush feels confidant that minority banks, law firms, and suppliers will benefit from this deal, particularly during tough economic times such as these.
In explaining his support for the merger, Congressman Rush noted several provisions of the deal which would inure to the benefit of minority media owners, operators and entreprenuers if approved, including:
- The opportunity for minority business owners to acquire a broadcast television station in Los Angeles;
- Comcast’s addition to its cable systems, over eight years, of ten new, independently-owned and -operated cable networks that will be controlled by minority owners;
- Comcast’s commitment to assist owners of diverse content in offering their content over its On Demand and On Demand Online; along with
- Comcast’s commitment to establish a $20 million venture capital fund to facilitate opportunities for minority entrepreneurs to develop new media content and applications.
Rush also noted that he hoped that current FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski did not replicate the inaction of former Chairman Kevin Martin, “who during his leadership of the agency did virtually nothing to advance minority ownership opportunitiesin media or to diversify media voices and content.” He also noted that Martin’s current opposition to the merger seemed contrived and disingenuous.
While Congressman Rush has pledged his support to help see this merger through to the end, his enthusiasm about the prospects of this deal for minority media owners and entrepreneurs is not shared by all his colleagues. Congressman Maxine Waters (D-CA), who has not stated outright opposition to the merger in its entirety, has asked that the Commission, in approving the merger, conduct extensive review into the terms and conditions of such a deal to ensure that it will, in fact, “foster greater diversity, localism and competition.”
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5 Responses to Rep. Bobby Rush Seeks Approval of Comcast/NBCU Merger
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JenebaSpeaks says:
Great! I just got off the phone with a client who has several businesses and partners who would certainly qualify and could benefit from all these initiatives that Comcast has pledged. I, for one, am anxious and hopeful for the opportunity for more minority programmers, creators, innovators and entrepreneurs to get a shot at inroads into the industry. It's been closed off to us for so long and it only makes sense to take advantage of the limited opportunities when doors are open. Agreed @ Lauren. Rush is brave to be one of the first to take this position. He's not alone, I can point to a small army of minority businesses, digital entrepreneurs and start ups that will happily support him as well! Let's strike the iron while it is HOT!
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altondrew says:
Mergers such as the one proposed by NBC Universal and Comcast Corporation always bring out the antitrust cockroaches. We hear every reason why this merger would be bad for consumers, including the nauseating argument about less voices being heard and the probability that Comcast will not share the content it will acquire with other distributors of video programming.
It’s good to see that U.S. Representative Bobby Rush, Democrat of Illinois, has the insight to cut through the melodrama of the Free Press posse and cut to the chase when it comes to benefits that will flow from the merger, especially benefits that should flow to minority communities.
Some of my friends in the Free Press posse will no doubt post on their blogs that Mr. Rush and other minority politicians are being hoodwinked and turned into puppets by towing the Comcast line in return for the benefits. On the contrary. This is how, in the real world of politics, you extract concessions from a business that wishes to extract profits from a community.
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Wm_Tucker says:
Rep. Rush wasn't stating "benefits" from the Comcast/NBCU merger; he was stating his conditions for its approval. The new entity should, at minimum, be required to divest itself of terrestrial stations NBCU currenly owns in several major media markets, and that groups owned by women and/or minorities be provided bona fide opportunities at purchasing these stations outright or in part.
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Congressman Rush should be commended for his efforts to aid the minority community in the face of such opposition. As a previous commented stated, we too often think that these huge mergers are all bad when some will surely benefit. If the benefits indeed come, then it is a success for all minorities, a group that has been hit the hardest during this latest recession. I'm all for anything that increases jobs and economic opportunities for those in the minority community. There are a lot of bright people who will finally get a chance in this industry thanks to the advocacy of people like Congressman Rush.
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I think people are too much in this "big bad company" mode. This seems like a good opportunity, and many folks will be lucky to get a piece of the pie. Good for Rush for taking a stand!