The Cable Gamer has always been puzzled as to why so many content-providers have been so passive in the face of Comcast's obvious effort to dominate the cable/Internet pipeline. Ever since Comcast announced its intention to buy NBC-U from GE in Fall '09, most of the big media players have been quiet about this media game-changer. So TCG was interested to see Viacom finally speak out--and out. It might be too late; perhaps Viacom is just trying to gain some last-minute leverage on Comcast, but it might yet be the case that the FCC shows some backbone in this case.
Indeed, Comcast is increasingly being seen as a monopolist by academic experts such as Columbia University's Tim Wu, who singles out Comcast as a major would-be monopolist in his new book, The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires.
But of course, Comcast is taking steps to make sure it gets its way. As Politico's Mike Allen scooped, Comcast chieftain will be among the corporate chieftains to enjoy a private audience with Barack Obama on Wednesday. (Needless to say, one of the others is Jeff Immelt, just to make sure NBC-U doesn't miss a moment of executive branch protection.)
Be afraid, very afraid, Cable Gamers! The Comcastopus is coming.
