Writers Guild: Comcast Merger Threatens Diversity

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Writers Guild of America, West called on regulators to impose strict guidelines on the proposed merger of Comcast-NBCU in order to protect competition, ensure the value of creative product, and to promote broadcast and cable program diversity and independence.

In its filing to the Federal Communications Commission, the Guild noted:

“This merger will compound the consolidated state of the entertainment industry and will likely lead to further consolidation as other companies merge to challenge the dominance of Comcast-NBCU, a vertically integrated entertainment company that will control content from its inception through the cable lines that deliver the content to consumers. . . . The FCC can and must require strong protections of competition and promotion of content diversity as part of this merger. Doing so will limit the negative impact of this merger and can provide constructive precedent for the consideration of proposed media consolidation in the future.”

Click here for a full copy of the WGAW filing.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.