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In his feisty opening statement, Franken said: "I worked for NBC for many years. And what I know from my previous career has given me reason to be concerned--let me rephrase that, very concerned--about the potential merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. The media are our source of entertainment, but they're also the way we get our information about the world. So when the same company that produces the programs runs the pipes that bring us those programs, we have a reason to be nervous.... You'll have to excuse me if I don't just trust their promises and that is from experience in this business." The former SNL star and entertainment industry insider-turned-Senator is dead on with his concerns. As Free Press--the media reform advocacy organization founded by The Nation's John Nichols, media scholar Robert McChesney, and current executive director Josh Silver-- points out, the merger would result in Comcast controlling one in every five television viewing hours. It would lead to fewer choices of what you can watch and how you can watch it. Those cable bills that continue to rise would rise even higher, and if you don't use Comcast you might have to pay a premium to get NBC's shows. There will be even less access to local and independent programming as Comcast would promote NBC's shows at their expense. And, finally, there's the even larger issue of concentrating power and limiting access to free public interest media.

An interactive timeline of the AOL Time Warner merger, and the subsequent fallout.

A decade ago, America Online merged with Time Warner in a deal valued at $350 billion, which is still the largest merger in American business history. But the trail of despair in subsequent years produced a deal now regarded by many as a colossal mistake.

A list of the top 10 mergers in recent times according to PC Authority magazine. Not all are media companies, but still a useful overview.

A retrospective on the AOL Time Warner merger, and the subsequent disaster that resulted from it.

Discussion of Comcast and NBC Merger, including opening promises from Comcast to preserve local over-the-air broadcasting and increase programming for children and minorities.

The number of media and entertainment media and acquisitions deals fell by 49 percent in 2009, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The accounting firm's 2010 U.S. Entertainment & Media M&A Insights report said the deals totaled $77.4 billion last year, the lowest level since 2004. There were 714 deals, down 29 percent from 2008 and the smallest number in seven years.

The BBC is poised to sell its selection of UK-based magazines, including such titles as BBC Good Food, Gardening World, Top Gear and Radio Times. The corporation is looking to cut over $150 million USD in overhead costs and evidently plans to accomplish this by "looking to move away from physical media" and focusing more deeply on digital media as well as looking overseas for merger opportunities. The BBC has already begun stripping itself of media such as audio books, non-BBC channels outside the UK and two radio stations. It also cut the number of websites it owns by half, resulting in an estimated loss of 600 jobs.

What impact does media consolidation have on creative programming? This blog post explores the impact of media ownership on programming and creative labor, with quotes from WGA President John Wells.

The Comcast-NBC show returned to Capitol Hill Thursday as legislators pressed executives over the companies' plans to create a $30 billion media juggernaut. During a lengthy round of questioning, Comcast (CMCSA) CEO Brian Roberts and NBC Universal chieftain Jeff Zucker denied that the merger would be anti-competitive and would lead to layoffs. But critics were unswayed, including one who went as far as to say the deal would "undermine American democracy."

"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) called on Thursday for public comment on the proposed merger between cable operator Comcast Corp and broadcaster NBC Universal. The media industry regulator is seeking comments and petitions by a deadline of May 3 and expects to respond to comments by June 2. It has set a final date of June 17 to respond to any further responses or oppositions."

ubroadcast, inc. (UBCI 0.03, +0.00, +3.85%) , a leader in Internet Broadcasting, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Alexandria, VA-based iVu Media Corp., the developer of a state-of-the-art Video Content Management (VCM) system that works in tandem with a High Definition Playback technology. iVu Media's clients include Sony, Ford and Honda. For 2009, iVu Media had revenues of less than $500,000.

The Walt Disney Company has been quietly shopping what remains of its Miramax film unit and has attracted seven to 10 interested bidders, according to a mergers and acquisitions expert with knowledge of the process.

Explains strategic challenges faced by bc network news. NBC in strongest position, while ABC and CBS consider merger with CNN. Pressures toward cost cutting and consolidation in the industry. But where will growth come from?

"They have the chutzpah to say that the new venture will boost quantity, quality, diversity and "local focus." I would think that "surely they jest" but, indeed, they are serious. They have filed with both the Justice Department, as well as the FCC. The $30 billion deal will also be examined on Capitol Hill in hearings beginning next week."

The Walt Disney Company has been quietly shopping what remains of its Miramax film unit and has attracted seven to 10 interested bidders, according to a mergers and acquisitions expert with knowledge of the process.

Congressional hearings for the Comcast/NBC case are scheduled for Feb. 4. There are many opponents to the deal, including consumer activists and media watchdogs, Local affiliates are concerned that Comcast could "gradually migrate some or all of the most compelling sports, news and entertainment programming and talent away from free, over-the-air distribution on NBC to its newly owned cable channels that are made available only to paying subscribers, such as Bravo and USA Network."