More Groups Push for Comcast/NBCU Comment Deadlines Extension

By John Eggerton
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

The American Cable Association, Free Press, Consumers Union and Consumer Federation of America have all joined Media Access Project in asking the FCC to extend the comment deadlines on the Comcast/NBCU joint venture.

MAP was first out of the blocks with the request, saying there were a lot of other comment deadlines coming due at around the same time and pointing out that the FCC had not made a relevant Comcast document available for inspection until just last week.

The FCC has also said that cases for or against the deal need to be made in the pleadings process, with no wiggle room to introduce new arguments in ex parte comments. MAP says that makes it even more important that they have the time to get those arguments together.

MAP asked for 45-day extensions, which would push the schedule to a comment date of June 17, oppositions due July 16, and replies Aug. 1.

John Eggerton
John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.