Comcast CEO says existing law would protect rival TV services in NBC Universal combination

Comcast CEO says law protects rivals in NBC deal

WASHINGTON — Comcast Chief Executive Brian Roberts says existing law would prevent the cable TV operator from denying satellite TV companies and other rivals access to NBC Universal programming on reasonable terms.

As federal regulators begin reviewing Comcast Corp.’s plan to take a controlling interest in NBC Universal, Roberts says program access rules established by the 1992 cable law would prohibit the company from abusing its control over NBC Universal to discriminate against competing subscription TV services.

Speaking at a conference in Washington on Wednesday, Roberts also said the combination does not raise traditional media consolidation fears because NBC Universal is a media company while Comcast is primarily a content distribution company.