Skip to main content

US Govt to to require NBC and Comcast to play nicely with Apple

http://widget.nbc.com/fullep/fullep_at25.swf?CXNID=1000004.10060NXC&widID=49d06ba1523528c3&configXML=http://www.nbc.com/service/videowidget/params/dmlkZW9faWQ9MTI1MzM2MA==/&initXML=http://www.nbc.com/30-rock/video/episodes/init.xml?videoId=1253360

According to the PayWall St. Journal (subs), The US government might make “playing nicely with companies like Apple” part of the conditions with which they will accept the merger of NBC and Comcast.  That might mean people not using Flash or outside of the US will be able to watch the video above!

Few observers expect either the Justice Department or the Federal Communications Commission to block outright the roughly $13.75 billion deal to purchase 51% of NBC Universal from General Electric Co. One reason: Because the two companies aren’t direct competitors, it’s harder to mount an antitrust challenge.

Both agencies, however, are likely to impose significant conditions to prevent Comcast from withholding, or threatening to withhold, NBC Universal’s programming from competitors, including companies that distribute TV shows and movies over the Internet, such as Apple Inc. and Netflix Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Seth Weintraub Seth Weintraub

Publisher and Editorial Director of the 9to5/Electrek sites.


Seth Weintraub's favorite gear