FCC pushes back Comcast/NBCU deadline

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has requested more information on key aspects of Comcast’s planned acquisition of NBC Universal (NBCU), pushing back the deadline for comments.

The FCC said it has not yet received any comments supporting the benefits from the transaction that are claimed by the US cable giant or any comments addressing the potential impacts on online video distribution.

Comcast said it expects to file the added comments in the next two to three weeks, close to the May 3 deadline the FCC had originally set for comments and petitions to deny the merger. As a result, the FCC has halted its informal 180-day clock for the review process to provide enough comment time once Comcast files the added documents.

“We look forward to working with the commission to submit the additional information they’ve requested,” Comcast said. “We know they want to conduct a thorough and expeditious review of this transaction and we’ll be submitting these reports as soon as possible. We understand and agree in this case with the Commission’s desire to have a full comment period on key documents submitted by the applicants.”

The FCC and the Department of Justice’s antitrust regulators are reviewing the proposed US$30bn deal, which if its goes ahead will see Comcast acquire a 51% stake in NBCU.