Released: January 19, 2011

Call for strong oversight of Comcast-NBCU merger

Consumer Action and National Consumers League issue statements

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite tough talk about reining in out-of-control media consolidation, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice have allowed the merger of two of the largest media empires in the country – Comcast and NBC Universal– to proceed. 

In response, the National Consumers League released the following statement, attributable to Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director:

“Increased concentration among industry titans rarely benefits consumers.  We appreciate that the merger has real, enforceable and pro-consumer conditions attached to it.  However, these conditions will not be worth the paper they are written on without rigorous oversight by the FCC and DOJ.  NCL, along with our consumer and public interest group colleagues will be closely monitoring the effects of this merger to ensure that the combined Comcast-NBCU does not abuse its market power.”

Consumer Action released the following statement, attributable to Linda Sherry, Director of National Priorities:

“"Even with the conditions, we are disappointed that the FCC and DOJ did not seem to accept the tenet that the larger the company, the more imbalanced its relationship with consumers becomes.  Consolidation inevitably leads to consumers losing the choices that come from a competitive marketplace."

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit

www.nclnet.org.

About Consumer Action

Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Consumer Action focuses on financial education that empowers low to moderate income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper. It also advocates for consumers in the media and before lawmakers to advance consumer rights and promote industry-wide change.