Comcast/NBC Deal

Do you really think the Comcast/NBC deal will get much scrutiny in Congress?  House Commerce Committee czar Henry Waxman is already primping for his hearings.  Democrat FCC Commissioner Michael Copps warns the deal "faces a steep climb with me." Merger failures? Can you say AOL Time Warner? 

Wash Post's Steven Pearlstein professes he's "rather indifferent" about the Comcast/NBC merger which will take a year to 18 months to snake through government regulators:  Given how fast things are changing, and how uncertain the future is, it would be a mistake for the government to step in and stop such a merger on traditional antitrust grounds. Rather, the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission should use the merger review process as an opportunity to craft a set of regulations for this new media world that would apply not only to Comcast-NBC, but to all competitors.

Broadly speaking, these rules should ensure that consumers can purchase the digital content and services they want, from whomever they want, without having to buy bundles of services or content that they don't want.

They should guarantee that independent creators of content have fair and reasonable access to distribution networks of vertically-integrated competitors such as Comcast-NBC.

NYT's Brian Stelter: How people watch TV on demand — and whether they should pay for the privilege — is a critical issue in the landmark deal.

"So this is my fault."  NBC News anchor Brian Williams proving his vaunted comedy chops to the packed-with-staffers 30 Rock town hall style meeting starring Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, COO Steve Burke, GE's Jeff Immelt and NBC prez Jeff Zucker in Jimmy Fallon's studio.

USA Today's Gary Liebermann:  "Will it change news and entertainment for the better?"

What's your take?