Comcast/NBCU Support Comment Deadline Extension

Agree to giving critics of deal an extra two weeks to review

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/28/2010 2:30:26 PM

Comcast and NBCU support the request by the American Cable Association and other critics of the deal for a two-week extension of the FCC deadline for comment on Comcast/NBCU's 599-page defense of their proposed joint venture.

Comcast confirms that it plans to tell the FCC Wednesday that it has no problem giving them the extra two weeks--until Aug. 19, but with the expectation that the FCC will not stop its shot clock on review of the deal, which gives the FCC until the end of August to vet the deal, though the clock is informal.

The American Cable Association and other small and midsized telcos requested the extra days, saying it was not enough time to go over the document.

Comcast points out that the extra two weeks will give those parties about the same amount of time it had to comment on the numerous filings in initial comments. Initial comments were due June 21, and Comcast's response was due July 21.